An attendee and teacher at Rushford Academy in New York, Horatio Richmond Palmer later became the Academy’s music director and organized a cornet band there.
Palmer is also credited with providing us a song with these powerful words – “Angry words! O let them never, From the tongue unbridled slip, May the heart’s best impulse ever, Check them ere they soil the lip.” Those words found in a beloved hymn, words that remind us of John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you,” are indeed formidable ones we need to recall daily. As we are all aware, our nation and our world have survived a horrendous pandemic, and thankfully now the normalcy of life we took for granted for so long is slowing returning. It would indeed behoove us, myself included, to strive more daily to reflect the very best diction we can.
As everyone also is so very well aware, Facebook and social media have been filled with innumerable comments regarding the upcoming election and folks’ thoughts regarding it. As everyone reading also realizes, we choose words each time we speak and write, and we should remember each time we do so to temper our words to be respectful of others. As most students of English will also remember, many of our words carry with them both a denotative and a connotative meaning. The word booger, for example, carries with it the denotative meanings of slimy mucus or a bogeyman. For most folks those two dictionary meanings suffice; however, for other folks the word carries with it a connotative meaning, one that is derogatory and one not particularly favored in descriptions of infants. I know that fact because as a young immigrant to Todd County, Mom heard the word booger used to describe an older brother. Unknowingly, the lady who described him as a cute little booger simply was expressing a statement used by so many and seldom disliked. Mom, to the contrary, heard the expression and immediately added to those words a very negative connotation based on her Australian heritage; thus, her heart was broken to know her first son had been described in such a negative manner.
As we know so well, our words are reflections of us. We can build bridges with them, or, on the other hand, we can use those words to destroy relationships a part of our world. I can recall many folks I have known during my lifetime using vocabulary that definitely would not be characterized as character building. I recall hearing a small two-year old child in a store on the Square in Elkton many years ago using language offensive to most adults. His choice of words, ones I feel rather certain were words heard at his home, reverberated throughout the store as he uttered language that to him probably carried with it very little meaning. To those in hearing distance of the youngster, the words were clearly offensive in nature.
As a former teacher of English, I recall many times encouraging students to use their ‘trusty ole’ Roget’s thesaurus’ to select a word that better fits the thought conveyed. I feel rather confident Peter Mark Roget would be pleased his ‘book of words’ is now just a click away on our modern laptops, cell phones, and tablets. I feel rather confident, too, that Roget, a British physician, natural theologian, and lexicographer, would encourage all folks of all ages to weigh carefully each word spoken and written. Imagine for a few minutes the impact that carefully chosen words can have. Most folks familiar with language and the power of words will encourage us all to phrase our words in a positive manner. Instead of ‘Keep off the grass,’ we can create a much more positive statement by ‘Please respect our grassy areas’ or ‘Please avoid stepping on our lawn.’ That use of the positive will more than likely result in a much more pleasing lawn appearance.
If we take time to ponder our words and our use of those words in conversations, either those spoken or written, we can eliminate a tremendous amount of bitterness and hatred. Yes, I realize we all make mistakes at times and speak many times without carefully weighing our words. However, it would indeed be prudent for us all to ponder our choice of words with respect for all folks. We can make an impact on this year’s elections – local, state, or national; however, we can alter our choice of words and reflect in the most positive way our thoughts and our Christian beliefs. Palmer said it well when he included in his hymn this reminder – “Love is much too pure and holy, Friendship is too sacred far, For a moment’s reckless folly, Thus to desolate and mar.” Let’s work hard each day to create ‘less dirty soil’ and a much more positive reflection of who we really are!
~Article by Carolyn L. Wells
July 15, 2024
