Friday, January 15, 2010
Free Entry: On My Favorite Word
My Favorite word is benevolent. I first noticed it, I believe, while reading my favorite book Everything is Illuminated. Maybe it is the fact that I found it in my favorite book that makes me partial to it. I think I might like it because it evokes the same feeling in me that the dictionary says it represents. It's positive, vibrant, not overused, or "sticky." It's versatile, clean, and looks pretty written in script. I tend to feel similar towards the word eudemon, meaning good or benevolent spirit. It takes something that is feared and morphs it into positive entity. I have found that most people have a favorite word. Sometimes two or three. A lot of people do not know they have a favorite, but use it all the time. Words fascinate me because of the way they can change and grow and transform over time. They are like people in that sense. Sometimes, a generation does not even realize that they have transformed a word. That interests me.
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I love how you analyzed the thought process on choosing a favorite word. I do agree that many generations do not realize how they change language, and I don't think many of us think about our favorite words ever. I also think "benevolent" is an awesome word, by the way.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the reason we write? Because of how much we love words? Total word-nerd, right here!
ReplyDeleteI think you're totally right, in the connection with people. Any time someone can use a word and totally change the connotation, I'm in awe. Words are just really cool that way, and I think there is a lot of unseen, untapped potential in them. As lame as it'll sound, our generation doesn't realize how much we're missing out on by shortening everything to text-speak.
My two favorite words are (any form of) juxtaposition and serendipity, :-)