The Power of Words

Since I'm in the 'word' business, I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk about the Power of Words. Words are very powerful things. Some words cut into our feelings just like a knife cutting into butter. Some words soothe our hurts just like lotion soothes a sunburn. Being mindful of what words we use with our children is an undaunting task. Every time I turn around there seems to be a new word created simply out of necessity. Did you know that there is an actual dictionary published and devoted to new words that have been created in the last few years?
Along with trying to catch up with all new words, our kids are having to understand figurative language....those words that don't really mean what they say. I don't mean to "beat around the bush". This expression came from hunters that would scare their game out of their hiding places by rustling trees and bushes nearby. Now we use these simple words to mean to 'work persistenly toward a goal'. I have been told that I'm as "happy as a clam" when I have my family nearby. This expression originally was "happy as a clam in high tide". When the high waters hid them from view, the clams are blissfully safe. Yes, I am happy as a clam with family around me!
I'll close this discussion today by sharing a quote from a literay piece I read over summer. In the book "Lottery" written by Patricia Wood, the main character (a mentally challenged adult who wins the lottery) has a lot of trouble with words. He says: "Words are like people's faces. They do not always mean what they look like. Just look for what you understand. If you come to a word that you do not know, keep going until you find one you do. "
I think I'll take his advice the next time I encounter one of those newly created words. Look around it, make some sense out of it. If I do not know it, just keep going until I find one that I do.
Until next Blog, be happy as a clam....;o)