Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Words Matter Week: Infinitely awesome

Did you know that this is Words Matter Week?  In celebration of this, the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors has issued a blog challenge.  The third question:

What is your favorite quote about words?  Why?

I had a couple different thoughts on this, but I decided to go with one from C. S. Lewis: 
Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
This quote has always intrigued me, as it flies in the face of what "everyone" says about writing.  Including what I am currently teaching my kids.

Spice it up.  Use big words.  You'll sound smarter.  You'll be more interesting. 

I do that.  A lot.  But I also stick with some pretty overused ones.  So I'm a contradiction there too.

I think Lewis makes an excellent point though.  If we keep using words like awesome to describe reasonably cool stuff, then what do we say about things that do deserve our awe?

Just a few random thoughts from me today. Hope you have a infinitely awesome day.


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Okay I like this post a lot. I've always heard that about awesome, as common as a word it is today the only truly awesome thing is God and His works. Great points :)

Amy B