Words intrigue me at times. I like ones that are not normally used. For example take the word “eleemosynary” which means charitable. Now that I have “given” it to you, what are you going to do with it? That’s the trouble with words like that. Nobody uses them. If you tell a friend that you would like his help in aiding an eleemosynary institution, the chances are that he/she will look at you like “huh!”
This, naturally is a shame as I think people should use new words instead of beating the old ones to death. There are many that I am sick and tired of hearing. “You know!” (I know that is two words, but let’s keep to principles shall we!”) is undoubtedly the worst. We can even call it a phrase, if it makes someone happy. Regardless, of what one calls the term, it is so deadly boring that I do not why or how it is still around.
There are other words that if you spell them differently, it makes one look at them better. For example when one reads some older detective books, you will find that the story line speaks not of “clues,” but rather “clews.” Personally, I find clews to be much more distinctive than clues, but does anybody use it today? Nope, even it would make people stop and think if the old word were used. It might even improve the detective novels of today by making the authors sprinkle some “clews” into their stories instead of relying on gratuitous sex. Probably wouldn’t though.
The Blonde in the house and I have a raging argument over whether to use the word “finish” or “done”. She uses the former, and I the latter. The reason she uses “finish” is that she had some highly educated professor in college who pontificated that “people get finished, cakes get done”. This may be another example of the liberal leaning among professors, but more than likely, it is simply wrong.
In the morning The Blonde will indicate that “she has finished my breakfast.” Shortly thereafter, I will comment that “it was a delicious breakfast, but now I am done.” Obviously, done is a shorter word than finish so it is much easier to say. I realize that I have indicated that new words are good, but no one can say that “finish” is a new word. Look at the use of “finish” with “line.” As in the horses crossed the finish line in a photo finish. You will note that the word finish is used twice to describe the actions of horses. Now horses are not people! Thus, it is obvious that I as master of the house am correct in using done rather than finish.
I also believe that anyone who correctly reads the above will note that I possess a very eleemosynary attitude in dealing with The Blonde in the house’s insistence in use of a word even though mine is better. That’s what loving husbands are for!
Barry Evans is a Villager and writes about life in The Villages for Villages-News.com.
