So I had this conversation yesterday, where an experience was
described as ‘interesting’. Immediately rankled me, to me the word didn’t quite
describe the episode especially when I know that the verbiage and cant of the
speaker is par excellence.
Another conversation with Anjali yesterday when we made a
pact to use words henceforth in our conversations, that aren’t common parlance
so that we challenge each other and ramp up each other’s vocabulary. Which we’ve
been doing for years with pronunciation of words, we’re both Daniel Jones aficionados
and quiz each other, tease mercilessly at an erratum and edify.
A quote that Tom Schulman wrote but was made famous by Robin
Williams in the movie Dead Poets Society, “"So avoid using the word
‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use
very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women
- and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays”
is a personal favorite.
“I know your head aches. I know you're tired. I know your
nerves are as raw as meat in a butcher's window. But think what you're trying
to accomplish - just think what you're dealing with. The majesty and grandeur
of the English language; it's the greatest possession we have. The noblest
thoughts that ever flowed through the hearts of men are contained in its
extraordinary, imaginative and musical mixtures of sounds. And that's what
you've set yourself out to conquer, Eliza. And conquer it you will.” Professor
Higgins in the “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw.
Always been impressed by the way Professor Higgins loved the
language, the lexicon and its perfect enunciation and been inspired to up my
language skills.
So back to the word interesting and I’m being a snob, maybe ‘cos
I was snubbed? Say curious, exciting, intriguing, pleasing, stirring, stimulating
and refreshing maybe?
After all when you’ve got the gift of the gab… use it
generously!
