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222 – Words

For anyone interested, at the bottom of the Topics List page, I added a paragraph listing the future topics currently in the editing process. Unlinked topics in the column list are currently in the WP queue.

Click the video above for several minutes of background waves while reading.

I like to walk on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

The words above start and end all my essays. Today is one of those times I searched for ideas, so I went to my Ideas list. Little did I know the answer was directly in front of me. This topic could get out of control because thoughts about them may be endless. 

No matter how well we write or speak, these two primary forms of human communication involve words. Our world contains many languages – six to seven thousand or more – each with its specific vocabulary. I have no idea how many words are involved in humanity, but I confidently believe the English language contains over one million words, but I don’t know.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

People best communicate with words, but words aren’t the only way to express ideas. Smiles, gestures, and body language can cross many language and cultural barriers – so do visual arts, but this post is about words.

I chuckle thinking about each word being no more than a string of letters – letters representing various sounds – but all of us know there is much inconsistency in the sound within words – and some of them are very strange.

There are many words – short and long – from one syllable to many. Some words are commonly used, but others are obsolete and may not return. While professional fields have specialized words, I wonder about the number of new words technology has brought into my life – words that nobody knew during my youth.

I know words are a meaningful part of communication. Words can be nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, participles, and interjections. Words can describe, proclaim, share, and question. Words provide countless imagery through metaphors and even emphatic swear words.

Photo by Polina Zimmerman on Pexels.com

Words are vowels and consonants arranged to make sense to others as a term, cue, prompt, signal, command, password, and many more. We string words together into phrases, idioms, mottos, expressions, sentences, questions, and exclamations. We arrange words into a meaningful order for instruction, direction, commands, prompts, feedback, expression, and information. 

I think about how we use words: words for discussions, information, stories, essays, poems, novels, speeches, lyrics, toasts, promises, blog posts, news, signals, propaganda, and more – even for expressing gibberish. Words to express gratitude, proclaim love, convince, confirm, create confidence, deliver ideas, initiate fear, praise, and even hurt others.

Because words have meaning, the wrong word can be damaging – but the right words can deliver an important message. Some words have multiple definitions. Plus, words can have different meanings to different people in different situations or places. 

Words can also make us smile and laugh – words as jokes, riddles, satire, and general humor. While skilled comics make us laugh at ourselves, late-night talk show hosts have a way of making me laugh at events and people in the news. 

Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

All of us have had times when a single word can’t describe what we experienced, so we string words together hoping to give an idea to others.

Words can heal and show concern. Sometimes we can’t find the words we want – the right ones – words to support someone in their time of need. But sometimes, we don’t need words because our presence is enough words for those in need. But there are times when smiles or presence are better than words because they accomplish more. In the end, I believe actions are stronger than words.

Words can surprise us in many ways – good and bad – positive and negative – beneficial and harmful. Words can heal and cut deep – even leaving a scar. Words can soften hearts and break hearts. Words can take us into a fantasy world but, also serve as a strong dose of reality.

Some people like word games, but they aren’t for everyone. Well, maybe they could be if others gave them a chance. I think about word games such as crosswords, jumbles, word searches, word associations, and others – plus word games such as Scrabble, Bogle, Hangman, Scattergories, Wordle, and many more. I admit that playing Bogle every morning helped me with my Gibberish essay.

Photo by Jimmy Chan on Pexels.com

Words can be few or many, simple and compound, formal and informal – even slang – but it is interesting that it can take many words to describe a word. But in the end, words are what we speak for others to hear. Words are what we write so others can read.  

I realize thinking of words is worthy of at least one more essay, so this is a good place to stop, After all, I will have more walks ahead because I like to walk on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

I’m linking to Jo’s Monday Walk for an easy walk around Estoi and a bit of its palace grounds. Tell her I sent you.

See what other bloggers have posted about Words

Next Post: Baseball v4 – Saturday 30th March @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

90 thoughts on “222 – Words”

  6. As a writer, words are definitely my thing. While I love images and movies, it seems to me that words go deeper, to places that images can’t go. I am thinking specifically about novels, which can delve into a character’s thoughts, desires, and motivations.

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  7. You found lots of words to use to discuss words, Frank! What would life be like without words? I love one of Emily Dickinson’s thoughts on the subject:

    A word is dead, when it is said
    Some say –
    I say it just begins to live
    That day
    ~ Emily Dickinson

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  8. Good morning, Frank. I love words, of course. I see words in my head and in my dreams. I like the sound of words, and I think I can understand other languages, even when I can’t. 🙂

    I don’t play word games–unless you count writing–but my husband does.

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  10. Wow! And my English teacher in eighth grade told me I was ‘too wordy’! Lol!

    I can’t even imagine a scenario where there were no words to speak or write down! I cannot speak or understand any language but English, but I love hearing foreign languages spoken by others. Some languages are almost musical.

    Our words do matter. Once we have said something, we can’t unsay it!

    Ginger🦋

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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    1. Ginger,

      Your eighth-grade teacher didn’t dampened your love for words. Then again, I wonder if she caused you to think about your wording. If so, job done! I admire the many people who are multi-lingual. Europeans impress me! Then again, others exist around the world. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Steve,

      Oh my – that would be quite the monumental task … maybe too big. Instead of focusing on a topic, my past essay on Gibberish was about many quirks in the English language. I hope to do a Gibberish v2, I would need a lot of help to identify nonsensical words and phrases. Up for it?

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  13. I love words and the right word conveys so much. I’ve been thinking for ages of doing some posts on words, and probably have during my 12 years of blogging, but this may spur me on to do some more.  I liked the “picture is worth a thousand words” comment, which can certainly be true, but those words may be different for each viewer. An aptly chosen word can convey so much. Anyway, enjoyed this post, Frank. Happy weekend.

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    1. Janet,

      Good point. The right words are key to effective communication. Then again, the right words will differ depending on the individual, the situation, and the intended audience. I encourage you to pursue your Words post idea. In my previous blog life I did a post trying to use words that I’ve never used before while encouraging readers to do the same in the comments. It even got selected for Freshly Pressed.

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  14. My thoughts were similar to another post here about words……I hadn’t given much thought to words until I wrote a book – then words mattered a lot – to me and to my editor and to those who read the book I’m sure. It was a mystery and with mysteries you are careful to keep the “tension” going and it takes stringing together certain words and actions to make the “tension” come alive. Anyway, I used to like playing “Mad Libs” some years ago…..that was the only word game I’ve ever played other than crossword puzzles!

    Pam

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    1. Pam,

      One surely learns a lot by going through the editorial process – especially if the editor is good! Plus, the best words also depends on the audience and the intent. Nonetheless, cheers to your appreciation of words and writing. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. I love words and their “flavor” some words roll off the tongue and are a delight to pronounce – they please the tongue as well as the ear! Syncope is a favorite of mine. Then there is the issue of words that have multiple meanings and some are opposites (cleave). Words are so much fun!

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  16. Words are the currency that can be spent wisely or unwisely, depending on the person. I like to think the wise ones will never go out of style, no matter the climate. Because let’s face it, it’s easy to get caught in the unpleasant. But that’s where the good stuff matters more than ever.

    I prefer to hang out with peeps who love words, who see their power and use them wisely. You don’t have to be a poet to have poetic license, and I like that very much.

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  18. I’m a lover of words. I am an author, after all. Stringing words together can be an art. I love trying to come up with just the right words to paint a picture or give someone an understanding they never thought of before. There are some words that are fun to say as well. Words that I find funny to say. In my early blogging days, I wrote a ‘funny words’ post. For example, here’s one: Onomatopoeia.

    Thanks for writing about yet another topic I enjoy.

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  21. I enjoyed this, Frank. You describe the complexities and simplicities of words beautifully. One word can be as powerful as a sentence or as weak as a kitten. Saying how we feel isn’t always easy.

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    1. Jennie,

      Thank you for the kind words about this essay. Your point about complexities and simplicities along with power and weak are wonderfully stated. Not only is saying how we feel difficult, how horrible we feel when the words don’t come out right. Thanks for walking along and sharing your thoughts.

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  22. I find it about impossible to visualize a world without language. Even the “non-language beings find a way to communicate via unique sounds. Biologists have documented a sort of language among the prairie dogs, and then there are the whales. Oy! We want to communicate! That’s really the bottom line. Not many life forms wish to exist in silence and isolation.

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    1. Eilene,

      I like that you’ve expanded words into communication in the biological world. Ants, bees, birds, and countless mating rituals along with warning for protection … yes, there are many. All around the desire to communicate in the spirit of oneness. Thanks for sharing.

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  23. Of course words are the material of writers (and poets). I like ambiguous ones for poetry, but not so much when communicating with others. Sometimes I write down a word and even though I know it’s spelled correctly it just looks “wrong”–strange. Does that ever happen to you?

    I haven’t written many baseball posts in the past few years, but the Mets being the Mets, this one is always appropriate.

    54 days until pitchers and catchers

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    1. Kerfe,

      (I assume but I didn’t see the K). I agree – there are times when the correct spelling just doesn’t look right … or you have the differences in spellings depending on the preferred dictionary … For instance, I prefer judgment over judgement. Both are correct, but the preferred dictionary tells us which is correct.

      Thanks for the baseball link. Being a fan is torture – especially if the team struggles for many years. But, once a year, I try to do an essay about the grand game – and it’s one deck.

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      1. I didn’t know that about judgement. I feel like I see the “e” version more often, but now I’ll pay attention.

        I look forward to your baseball post. As I always look forward to the season, even if I’m pretty sure where the Mets will end up…

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  25. I have no words … 😉 Just kidding!
    I adore words, for the purpose of expression, of course, but also for their meanings, context and rhyming abilities. I always enjoy having a go at a good crossword puzzle too. Gosh, there are so many sub-topics you could cover with this topic and I suspect you could write several versions, if you are ever “stuck for words” in the future.
    Some of your future topics sound interesting – Tuscany, even? I look forward to that one.

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  26. words to describe words…so very nicely done, Frank.
    never ceases to amaze ….the magic of words and what they achieve for an individual and from too…
    thank you for linking up , Frank…. appreciated🤍

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    1. Destiny,

      Interestingly, I haven’t thought of this essay as words describing words – but I smile because I like it! Thank you. Words are magical – yet some people seem to have the gift of tapping into that magic – and to me, they stand out above the rest of us. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. I think perhaps I’ve always loved words. Not just finding the right one to convey your meaning, but even just the sound of them. The feel of them in your mouth. I find it fascinating to contemplate how many delightful, uplifting words our language affords us. Well done, Frank!

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    1. Debbie,

      Words are the foundation of our language, and no matter what we say about them, it’s probably not enough. Amazing how they provide so much. I think about professional speech writers. Their words are one thing, but the delivery is also an important component. A great speech on paper could be considered so-so because of its delivery. Then again, the delivery can make average words seem even better. Thanks for sharing.

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  29. I have played Wordle since it first appeared, and I had fabulous 100% stats for over 400 plays. The other day, with no explanation, my stats re-set and I have had to start over. I was rather annoyed, but I still enjoy playing. I have always been a “word person” but of late I’ve grown tired of so much talking. Everyone has an opinion and I feel sometimes like we all need to take a big time out! I’m a little weary of so much talk–I’d like to see actions back up what people say! 🤷‍♀️

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    1. Debra,

      Wow … those are impressive Wordle stats. My wife is also very good, but probably not that efficient – but she also had several stats incidents. Meanwhile, I’m with you when it comes to actions are stronger than words. Needless to say, politicians fall very short! Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Gambelas | Still Restlessjo

  31. A marvellous topic. As you say it is almost never ending. I’ve always been fascinated by how the same word could have a different meaning in different countries. The boot for example. In England it is a trunk in a car, in North America is footwear. I had a friend whose name was Randy and when he went to England he realized he shouldn’t use it. Completely different meaning and not complementary. Definitely a topic that one could spend a wonderful evening over a few adult beverages discussing. Oh, and thank you for the shout out.

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    1. Pam,

      Oh my …. too bad about Randy … and “boot” is a new one for me. I also think how we can use “love” in so many ways, yet some languages have multiple words for love requiring the user to use the correct one. Meanwhile, thanks for writing your post. When I get the opportunity to promote a reader, I do it. 🙂

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  32. Frank, here on the beach today I ponder how very powerful words are. How they build one up, how they tear one down. I certainly wish when I was growing up I knew their super-powers, as I would certainly have “adjusted” accordingly. In recent years if any criticism is to be levied, I always try the “sandwich technique” of a piece of negative feedback placed in-between two positive comments. There are ways to disagree with someone or articulate you feel they are not doing well…without hurting them or making them feel inferior. Words are among the most powerful entities on the planet.

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    1. Bruce,

      Cheers to your time at the beach! Hopefully a warm, wonderful day!

      Words are indeed powerful and can be very harmful. I too wonder about the power and misusing of words by those of any age. Youth may be the cruelest people on the planet. Good news: Most get much better with age. Bad news: They are replaced by the incoming age group. Some words of my youth still haunt me many years later. Adults can be cruel too – yet we also can deal with differentiating meanness, disagreement, and constructive criticism. Thanks for sharing.

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  33. Words and their meanings are fascinating – especially when the same word is used in different parts of the world and have totally different meanings. Can make for interesting conversations, to say the least.

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  34. Some excellent words about words this week Frank! I always try to start my day with Wordle and Connections – I think it’s good for the brain. I’ve also read that reading books (filled with many words) is excellent for our aging memories because especially fiction makes us remember the characters and their roles in the stories. I love words, always preferred language to other subjects and ended up being fluent in 3 and have a passing knowledge of two others. So of course I loved your post this week!

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  35. If we set aside the communication aspect of words, two things I like about them. One, the shapes they make which change over time with our changing orthography and use of technology. Two, their very morphability. We can add to a word, we can change its use, make a noun into a verb or a verb into an adjective. I love words.

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