CIRCUMLOCUTION

From My Perspective - - -

Upon entering College, the class was assigned and challenged to read the dictionary – at least five (new) words a week. Reading a Dictionary can be very boring or very exciting. If one is to expand his/her vocabulary, there is no alternative. For those who study people and their vocabulary usage, the following is the best estimate of a Vocabulary Count in various sectors: “Grade 1 Student =1,000 words; Normal Person (Graduate) = 5,000 to 6,000 words; University Professor = 15,000 words; Spelling Bee Winners = 30,000; College Dictionary (Abridged) = 50,000-70,000; Total Words in English Language = 250,000 (Growing); Dictionary (Unabridged) with derivatives = 450,000…”

After completing Graduate Studies, there was a renewal of interest in words and their meaning. Watching a TV Program such as Firing Line with William F, Buckley (plus reading his editorials) became a motivator for expanding vocabulary. One program in particular featured Gore Vidal, an intellectual and rival and critic of William Buckley, In one of Vidal’s vitriolic tirades, Buckley responded with a twinkle in his eye - very glibly and sarcastically – “your comment was stated so mellifluously by you.” Obviously, Vidal was not intending his words to be spoken “sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding…”

There are not all that many who have mastered the English Language. An Editorial Writer who comes closest to a Buckley-type is George F. Will. In a recent column on public financing of Presidential Elections, Will makes this comment about the Washington Post – “The Post, which is melancholy about the system's parlous condition…” Parlous meaning, ”perilous, dangerous”! He then gives his terse and practical bottom-line with these words: “The Center for Responsive Politics calculates that, by Election Day, $2.4 billion will have been spent on presidential campaigns in the two-year election cycle that began in January 2007, and an additional $2.9 billion will have been spent on 435 House and 35 Senate contests. This $5.3 billion is a billion less than Americans will spend this year on potato chips…”

Currently, Bill O’Reilly is closing his O’Reilly Factor telecast with words that are either obscure and/or obsolete. His website lists 61 words that he most often uses. When reminding people about email sent to him, he will use a word: “Don’t be meretricious (based on pretense, deception, or insincerity)”. A word that used to be a favorite of his is, “Don’t be a blatherskite (a person given to voluble, empty talk)”. An amusing citation is, “Don’t be a codswallop (nonsensical talk or writing).” One that he hasn’t used in a while is, “Don’t be a jabberwocky (an example of writing or speech consisting of or containing meaningless words)”.

Consider these things with me - - - The words one uses are important. Those words, most often, can and will be of the more common sort so one can communicate clearly. During this week of Thanksgiving, words that should flow readily and be heard are, “Grateful, Blessings, Thanks, Gratitude, etc.” Rather than using words such as, Beneficent or Philanthropic, how simpler it would be to suggest being kind to and doing good for another! An older Hymn suggests: “Count Your Blessings, name them one by one…; And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Someone thought the lyric could be changed slightly to: “Count Your Blessings, name them by the score; And it will surprise you there are many more.” As you approach Thanksgiving Day, take time to echo some of the thoughts of David in Psalm 103:1 through 6, 8 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed…The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love…”

Have A Happy and Joy-Filled Thanksgiving!