Linguists tell us that groups usually develop their own language. Or sub language--sometimes called "argot" or "lingo"--words and/or phrases that mean something to them, but nothing to non-members. Or certain words/phrases mean one thing to non-members, but something different to members.
The term "liberal" is a good illustration of the second idea. To me, "liberal" is an honorable word, meaning someone who isn't stingy with his time, talents, money. As in the charitable gentleman in "A Christmas Carol," saying to the unreformed Scrooge, "We have no doubt his (Marley's) liberality is well represented by his surviving partner."
But to the Rabid Republicans (Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Anne CoulteR) "liberal" is about the dirtiest name you can call anyone. Not even "Satan" or "child molester" evokes as much anger as that honorable word. I haven't the least idea what a liberal looks like from their viewpoint. I also suspect their hatred has more to do with their own selfishness than any policy or party the person might support, but that might be my own misguided perception.
A really lovely example of the first concept is the word "flitter." According my dictionary, "flitter" is an obsolete word that can mean:
"flutter;"
a Southern variant of "fritter;"
a person who "flits" (darts) around a room;
or a form of tiny ornamentation.
But to someone who collects snow globes, "flitter" is the proper name for the snow, or the glitter, or the other tiny objects that fall on the central figure when they shake the globe.
Somehow, "flitter" sounds like itself, something light and soft and created simply for another person's enjoyment. We could use a few more words like it.
The term "liberal" is a good illustration of the second idea. To me, "liberal" is an honorable word, meaning someone who isn't stingy with his time, talents, money. As in the charitable gentleman in "A Christmas Carol," saying to the unreformed Scrooge, "We have no doubt his (Marley's) liberality is well represented by his surviving partner."
But to the Rabid Republicans (Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Anne CoulteR) "liberal" is about the dirtiest name you can call anyone. Not even "Satan" or "child molester" evokes as much anger as that honorable word. I haven't the least idea what a liberal looks like from their viewpoint. I also suspect their hatred has more to do with their own selfishness than any policy or party the person might support, but that might be my own misguided perception.
A really lovely example of the first concept is the word "flitter." According my dictionary, "flitter" is an obsolete word that can mean:
"flutter;"
a Southern variant of "fritter;"
a person who "flits" (darts) around a room;
or a form of tiny ornamentation.
But to someone who collects snow globes, "flitter" is the proper name for the snow, or the glitter, or the other tiny objects that fall on the central figure when they shake the globe.
Somehow, "flitter" sounds like itself, something light and soft and created simply for another person's enjoyment. We could use a few more words like it.
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