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Lost words: the death of meaning in language

24 Dec 06:00am

Filed under: History, Language, Oscar Wilde, Sarah Palin, Society, Summer, Words

Recently, much has been said about the death of the book. Perhaps more accurate though, is the death of words themselves.

When it doubt, ruin someone else's word. Photo: AFP.

Not that this is anything new. Oscar Wilde lamented Victorian England’s loss of meaning through an obsession with politeness, appearances and crustless sandwiches.

However, the difference now is that the meaning of words is decomposing because people use inappropriate synonyms to feel better about their insufficient vocabulary.

Continue reading "Lost words: the death of meaning in language" »

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Tracy says:

01:41pm | 29/12/10

Hello Retired Soldier. I just wanted to say I enjoyed your earier post. I also want to thank you for fighting on our behalf and all of your years as a great Aussie. When younger people call our senior and highly respected citizens “old man” or “old woman’ they usually… Read more »
Tracy says:

01:20pm | 29/12/10

Thanks I Wish I’d Said That for making me spit my coffee out with your second comment about forgetting the end quotation mark…very funny! With reference to other comments from people about the annoying “must of” instead of “must have”; I think it might have come about because people read… Read more »

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ToryShepherd 28 May 12 10:46PM

RT @saline: Touche Miriam. Touche Barry. Wicked old thespians taking the pith. #qanda

ToryShepherd 28 May 12 10:42PM

The best haters are the worst spellers #qandadelayed #godihopeididntmakeatypo

antsharwood 28 May 12 08:31PM

How much fun is it retweeting people who can't spell?

antsharwood 28 May 12 08:29PM

In other Olympian news, Steph rice is advertising Sunrice Chinese style Mongolian chicken. Think about that for a tick

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