What’s in a Word?

 

The ‘Word’ War

A famous author by the name of William Shakespeare penned the following in his classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet:

“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;” 

While the passage refers to names, the implication could also be passed along to words in general. Sometimes it’s just a matter of semantics.

On the opposite end of the ‘word’ spectrum we have this quote by another famous author, Mark Twain: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

As a writer, I tend to side with Mr. Twain in the word war. Differences in wording can make or break the way in which a passage is interpreted.

Allow me to give an example. I recently read a wonderful book by a well-known author, but there was one passage where the word “rednecks” was used in the sense of a group of beer-guzzling, racist vigilantes. Where I come from, rednecks are hard-working men with families and strong values, so I was highly offended by the characterization.

In fact, I almost closed the book. I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t, because the book–other than the aforementioned example–was a great story with a great message.

My point is this: What might seem like “just a word” to some carries with it the attitude of the person or people who use it in a certain context. In that light, we MUST be careful not only about what words we use but the attitude of our hearts.

Words from the Word

Here are a few verses from the Bible that put it all in perspective.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. -Proverbs 18:21

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. -Ephesians 4:29

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. -Matthew 15:18

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, -Matthew 12:36

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. -Proverbs 16:24

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. -Proverbs 13:3

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverbs 15:1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. -Proverbs 25:11

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. -Luke 6:45

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. -James 3:8

Word of Conclusion

So, what’s in a word?

In a word, everything.

What is “just a word” to you might carry with it an attitude others find hurtful.

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