(no subject)
The other day, I was talking to a customer and I referred to somebody at another shelter as "niggardly" because they don't supply fosterers with a lot of financial support. I know what the word sounds like, but c'mon, it's not like a spelling bee final round word.
The customer looked at me and said, "Excuse me, what did you say?"
"I said you could foster a cat for _______, but she's kind of niggardly when it comes to helping out with supplies."
"Um," she said with a reproving, authoritative tone, "I don't think I like that word."
"What word, niggardly?"
"Yes"
"Why not?"
"Because it makes me uncomfortable. You don't have any right saying such things, especially working in a town with a lot of African Americans. It's ignorant and hateful."
"Well, you might consider reading more, or, I don't know, looking in the dictionary once in awhile before you make such accusations. It's you who is ignorant."
Then I asked my boss to help her with whatever else she needed. Some guys can't stand being called cowards. I can't stand being called ignorant.
I've been really seeing a lot of poor word choices lately, from menus to bumper stickers to everyday conversation. I make mistakes too, like anyone else, but I also seek to use precision. I think it's important to communicate as well as you can. I love the English language and I think we should treat it with respect.
Pull quotes for movies are the worst. I was watching some previews and some movie was called "Stunning", "Mesmerizing", "Award Winning." Award Winning. Christ on the cross. Is that really an adjective? Even if it were, does it really fit with really grandiose characterizations like "Mesmerizing"?
A life changing picture! Spellbinding! Worth $8.75! Fuck man, open up a thesaurus and look up amazing if that's what it'll take.
I know, I know. Who gives a shit? I'm one of the few people on this slab of earth who gets vexed when somebody abuses my language. I'm kind of like those guys who reenact Civil War battles and freak out if General Sheridan's cell phone goes off in the middle of a battle.
It makes me a sad donkey indeed.
The customer looked at me and said, "Excuse me, what did you say?"
"I said you could foster a cat for _______, but she's kind of niggardly when it comes to helping out with supplies."
"Um," she said with a reproving, authoritative tone, "I don't think I like that word."
"What word, niggardly?"
"Yes"
"Why not?"
"Because it makes me uncomfortable. You don't have any right saying such things, especially working in a town with a lot of African Americans. It's ignorant and hateful."
"Well, you might consider reading more, or, I don't know, looking in the dictionary once in awhile before you make such accusations. It's you who is ignorant."
Then I asked my boss to help her with whatever else she needed. Some guys can't stand being called cowards. I can't stand being called ignorant.
I've been really seeing a lot of poor word choices lately, from menus to bumper stickers to everyday conversation. I make mistakes too, like anyone else, but I also seek to use precision. I think it's important to communicate as well as you can. I love the English language and I think we should treat it with respect.
Pull quotes for movies are the worst. I was watching some previews and some movie was called "Stunning", "Mesmerizing", "Award Winning." Award Winning. Christ on the cross. Is that really an adjective? Even if it were, does it really fit with really grandiose characterizations like "Mesmerizing"?
A life changing picture! Spellbinding! Worth $8.75! Fuck man, open up a thesaurus and look up amazing if that's what it'll take.
I know, I know. Who gives a shit? I'm one of the few people on this slab of earth who gets vexed when somebody abuses my language. I'm kind of like those guys who reenact Civil War battles and freak out if General Sheridan's cell phone goes off in the middle of a battle.
It makes me a sad donkey indeed.