Don Kleinsmith: Can we think of better words?
“Great” is defined in Random House Webster’s School and Office Dictionary, in part, as “…first rate; excellent … highly significant … extraordinary ability or achievement … expert.”
I believe, however, that we have “cheapened” the word by overusing it.
It’s all too common for me to hear “Have a great day” quickly at times, and possibly without much thought, at checkout counters. It happens quite often when listening to some recorded telephone message. Further, I hear on TV so many “great” comments to describe someone or something when often another adjective would easily seem to be more descriptive.
Can’t we think of more appropriate words to describe a situation or person other than “great?”
Brian, my son, is opposed to the all-too-frequent use of “awesome.” Like “great,” it seems that too often it could be replaced with a more appropriate adjective.
I quietly applaud while watching TV news when the closing remark is something like “Thank you for sharing some of your evening with us.” To me, it’s more thoughtful and personal.
I hope, good reader, you will have an enjoyable day.
Don Kleinsmith is a retired professor from Adrian College where he has taught for 45 years. He can be reached at kleinsmith968@gmail.com or 517-263-6357.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Don Kleinsmith: Can we think of better words?
