Patty Mayeux Blog

Imagine if words only had one meaning. No confusing homophones or double entendres. No word-play, puns, or knock-knock jokes. Where’s the fun in a simpler language?

I recently overheard someone describe an experience as “terribly rewarding,” which confused me. Was it terrible? Was it rewarding? Pick one. It can’t be both. Synonyms for terrible are spine-chilling, horrible, related to terror.

I am on the hunt for an unusual and definitive adjective. I say awesome too often. Fantastic is a close second mixed with a few wonderfuls and amazings. Brilliant, I like, but I don’t often use it when someone asks “How are you?” lest they think I’m bragging. (Those who know me are laughing as they read this). In the British sense Brilliant means guess what? Awesome. It is so ubiquitous they may sub in Ace. Is Aces a good response to How are you? It goes beyond the non-committal fine or great. Marvelous is fun, but it reminds me of an old Billy Crystal routine. Smashing? What does that even mean? 

Watch your words, especially adjectives. What are you really trying to say? Most of the time I feel wonderful, but it’s more fun to surprise the questioner with an exclamation of brilliant! or smashing! or marvelous!

Read more about word selection on my Wednesday Substack post.