Words

Some new words have sprung up lately and I like words…although I don’t like them when they are only substitutes for perfectly good, existing words. For instance; Redact. To redact is to edit, or prepare for publishing. Frequently, a redacted document, such as a memo or e-mail message, has simply had personal (or possibly actionable) information deleted or blacked out; as a consequence, redacted is often used to describe documents from which sensitive information has been expunged.

So what was the matter with the existing word “censor”? Say it a few times. Doesn’t it roll off of the tongue quite easily? Redact is a harsh word. You almost have to bite it off as you say it. Although the two words mean exactly the same thing, it is not politically correct to use the word "censored" because it has negative connotations. (As it should!) Use the word "redacted" and most people simply skip over it...too technical!

And this morning I saw a new term (for me) “charrette” and so I had to look that up as well. The word was used in the local paper story regarding a planned but controversial hospital expansion. Here’s a link to a good definition if you saw the word and wondered.

http://www.louisville.edu/org/sun/planning/char.html

And another word…or words; “A well-manicured finger”. That seemed to be the only way that the press could describe the digit that was found in Wendy’s chili. As if it were normal to find poorly-manicured fingers floating in the chili and a well-manicured one was the real surprise. Or…maybe the press folks get paid by the word.