“I wish life was not so short” he thought. “Languages take such a time, and so do all the things we want to know about.” J.R.R. TOLKIEN

I lived life when the word, “sick” meant it was time to go to the doctor. Today that word has an entirely different meaning. When someone or something is “sick” it’s like the best possible outcome. It’s hard to keep up with the daily changes. With the technology explosion of 21st Century, we have a whole new language coming our way like a contagious disease. If you’re a writer, it’s imperative that you keep up with the times and your words make sense to those who are reading them.

The word, “Slanguage,” is one of those new words that describes an unknown language that quickly becomes popular in a changing world. Words like “CANT” appeared in the late 1600s and referred to an underground society of thieves and pickpockets. As time progressed, many new slang words appeared, depending on cultural or environmental times. In the 1920s. The “cat’s pajamas & Bee’s knees” became popular during that time to refer to a good time or excessive fun. In the 1940s-50’s we were speaking words like “cool” (which by the way hasn’t changed in meaning yet) and phrases like, “Really neat or Neato. It was a time when “Gay” meant happy. In the 1960s-80s society was changing and so was the language. The rise of the drug culture gave us words like “groovy, far out and rad.” Now with the Internet and Social Media, a whole new language has arisen. These are nothing more than acronyms.. For example: YOLO means You only live once. GOAT refers to the Greatest of all times.

I am fascinated by words – their origin – their use and how they fit the current vernacular. Sometimes people even use a similar but incorrect word to describe something. A fellow employed by my husband once said, “Look at that guy. He’s driving erotically down the street.” I had a student who referred to me as “commanding,” rather than demanding. When my youngest daughter pointed to her chest one day and said she had a pain in her scrotum, the entire family erupted in laughter.

I recently watched the Movie, “Tolkien.” He authored such works as “The Lord of the Rings.” He was a contemporary of C.S. Lewis. Both of them were great writers. Tolkien even made up his own language. He had a passion for the origin of historical linguistics. I feel it’s important for us as writers, to look for words that describe in magical terms – set the scene for a basic idea – add words that bring the scene to life.

Words can move people to action.  They can inspire, encourage and amuse. They can hurt and emotionally scar as well.  When we use them, we must be careful.  As writers, we have an extra obligation to use them with the utmost consideration.  The tongue can be the strongest member in the human body.  The pen can be even stronger.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR YOUR TRUE WORD, THE BIBLE.