Be My Flummery What It May

After creating this blog, I realized that I needed something more specific to my visual communication class. Therefore, to read academic considerations concerning topics under visual communication, please see my ENG 332 blog, CrossPollyReis. (You may want to venture there now because I am about to launch into a bit of a complaint.)

I heard from friends of mine today. They said they were thinking of me because they were trying out fun witticisms and thought I would enjoy the challenge of keeping up. Indeed, I would.

There is something absolutely refreshing about choosing words precisely because of what they are supposed to mean, what they might mean, and what they really do mean. The sad truth, however, is that many people choose words heuristically: what was the last word I used that got a similar point across? Oh, yeah: like.

The other day I wished someone luck while they "extricated" themselves from my two-door Jeep Cherokee. There are really few other words to describe the disentangling from the seat belt bolted over the minuscule space between the fainted front seat and the plastic beam of the car door opening. But my friend laughed and said something akin to "There's a million-dollar word for you."

Actually, it cost me about nothing because I probably read it in a book at the library and looked in up on a free online dictionary. But if it makes you feel better to call me rich, be my guest.

Some people may see precise diction as an expensive chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory that's not worth the money because you can get a frozen cheesecake at Kroger. But be my flummery what it may, I think the dessert is worth it.