This is a rough estimate, but I’ve written approximately 1.237 million words since I’ve actively been writing. Wait, now it’s 1,237,019 words, but you get the gist. Probably a million were “the” and “said.” Some were used for alliteration, sort of a wise witty word weaving wizard. More than a few had to be worked over to be spelled correctly. If I were in front of a firing squad and had to spell “sheriff” or “rhythm” on the first try to live, I’d be riddled with bullets.
Some words were used that didn’t mean what I thought, like “nonplussed”, for instance. I thought it meant someone was bad at math, as in “he couldn’t add to save his life. He’s “nonplussed.” It actually means “unconcerned.”“Peruse” is another. I’ve always thought it mean to “skim,” as in, “let me peruse these cliff notes so I can pretend I read the book.” It’s the opposite. It means to “read or examine thoroughly.”
But I’ve always liked words, some more than others. Words can open up a whole new world. I’ll never forget reading the “Ox-Bow Incident” in high school which had been suggested by my English teacher. I came upon a word I’d heard a few times, but not in a printed format. That word was “Whore” and I honestly had no idea that it was spelled that way, never realizing that the “w” was silent. It actually looked a lot more impressive spelled out than it was hearing it spoken. I had a fair idea of what it meant and will say one thing, it definitely piqued my interest with reading the rest of the book.
As far as favorite words go, I do have some favorites and enjoy tossing them out now and then for public consumption. I like the meanings behind the particular ones I share here, but, mostly, I enjoy how they sound. Allow me to share my “word salad”, (did I just type that?), actually, let’s just call it my “Word Appetizer!”
extrapolate – The markets are often myopic and tend to extrapolate short-term trends for the long run. (Kind of fitting given the recent stock market brouhaha.)
vitriol – Politicial commentators spew angry vitriol.
superfluous – He cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer.
perspicacious – They had an unusual power to perspicaciously see through and understand what was puzzling or hidden.
loquacious – She talked about these topics in a manner that managed to be tight-lipped and loquacious at the same time.
juxtaposition – Dark floors ground the space, a welcome juxtaposition to the white walls.
All of these impressive-sounding words aside, I’m currently on a mission that involves researching proper verbiage for updating organizational bylaws. It’s a challenge. The task at hand is to strictly follow the rigid wordage of Robert’s Rules of Order or draft a basic, club member-friendly, constitution that requires no in-depth interpretation, more like “Just the Facts, Jack!” My goal is to put forth only pertinent, factual, information involving the rules of a private club without evoking speculation, confused responses or assumptions. Sound like a plan?
Wish me luck. Please.
From the Writer’s Workshop: List your five, favorite, current words.
