Words, Words, so many delightful words

I don’t think it will come as too much of a surprise to any reader of this blog that I’m a fan of words.

I usually use five where one or two would do – hence the word rambling in my tagline.

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me

That used to be a saying when I was in the playground at primary school. I’m not sure if they say it anymore. But even if kids do, it’s still a lie.

Words are important. They really do matter. And can hurt like hell.

Words have power. They can define, constrain, enliven or crush you.

We need to be careful what we say and to whom we say it. We need to know how to take the power conferred on words and use it for ourselves; to be articulate, to express ourselves and challenge the perceptions of others. My first step in doing so is to know what words mean and the context in which they can and should be used.

Today, I had someone question my use of the word ‘candidate‘ which took me aback for a moment. And that reminded me of the following:

1. words have defined meaning, but comprehension and common usages means that an alternative meaning can often been the most known
2. Google or any other search engine is your friend,  as is a dictionary!  And isn’t the internet a wonderful thing.
3. I’ve wanted to do a series on my interest in words and today was as good as any, to start with.

Words, Words, Words – The details

What will I discuss?  Well anything that takes my fancy but to start with it will be obscure words (English) and non English that are also wonderful.

I’m a big fan of words that have very specific meanings and are either out of common usage or are new to me

Last year a couple caught my eye and I wrote about them on Instagram – see below

• April  – Ultracrepidarian
• May – Folgado

So, I am grateful to recently seeing a History Hustle repost on Facebook with a lovely long list of delicious words that were mostly new to me.

Why didn’t I know these words before and why are they no longer fashionable?

I have a use for all of them – they are niche yet with many applications.

How will I be able to get them into everyday speech?

Where there is a will, there is a way as they say.

To that end, I will look forward to choosing one new word a month to share and delight in.

I hope you do too.