I make my living from words, so it stands to reason that I have to remain pretty neutral about them. Yes, I do have my favourites, but I try to take each word or phrase on their merits. Whether I think a word is stupid or not doesn't really matter.
So, I found the story that certain words have been banned by the LGA hilarious. Some of these words are fantastic, especially when you try to analyse what they mean and come to the conclusion that the answer is nothing.
The full list is here. At first glance, and used in isolation, some of them seem fairly innocuous. Is there really anything wrong with the using the words agencies, collaboration or enhance? But then, when you consider the whole idea of predictors of beaconicity, you start to understand their thinking (try as hard as I can, I have still not managed to work out what on earth a predictor of beaconicity is or does). And I am very pleased that my own personal favourite word is on their list - functionality. Has there ever been a more ridiculous word? I'm afraid with the best will in the world, and try as hard as I might, whenever I hear this word being used, I see blackboards and long nails.
I am starting to sound like my dad who is often heard to lament "you know, someone gets paid to sit and make up these words". He'd be proud.
1 comment:
oh dear...
i can sort of understand making a policy that certain words should be preferred over others. you know, words being one's image etc., etc.... but BANNING words! what? what are these people thinking?
and, as you say, many of them really are harmless!
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