Let me ask you a question…
Does anyone use word definitions from the dictionary any longer or are we just making up our own definitions based on our own experience?
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Let me ask you a question…
Does anyone use word definitions from the dictionary any longer or are we just making up our own definitions based on our own experience?
Hahaha! I generally use accurate words and definitions….but I’m not above creating or altering a real word to fit a specific situation. 😃
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I asked this question because of the responses regarding “self-awareness”. It is interesting to learn what people think self-awareness means and what it actually means. It makes having a conversation difficult when people are operating off of different word definitions. lol
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Great question!
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Thanks!
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Did you get a solid answer? I couldn’t say one way or the other…
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Most said they use the dictionary, but from the responses I get on certain posts I think there are quite a few who are making up their own definitions. lol
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I do a lot of research when I write, especially in English, since it is not my mother tongue, but I probably misuse (just checked “misuse”) words more often than I suspect 😉
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If English is not your primary language, then I give you a pass. lol
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😉 Thanks…. I chose to blog in English for practical reasons, but sometimes, I realize that it is just an additionnal challenge for me. I love it, though, I feel like I’ve improved through the passing months. 🙂
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I would never know English is your second language from your writing.
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Wow.. seriously, this is one of the best compliments I’ve received in a long long time!! Thank you so much! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I love the Language. I try to use accurate definitions in my serious work…but then I would just as soon create Suzism’s and warp the heck out of my mother tongue!
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This is hilarious!
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I often look up words. I want to make sure that what I’m writing makes sense! And as I do research for each blog, I definitely want it to be clear and concise.
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It’s funny that you can write a great post and someone might be using their own definition of a word which changes the intent and content completely. I’ve had to correct people and actually post the definition of a word before. Their response “well that’s not what that word means to me”. I just shake my head.
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You are pretty young. I remember when we had to diagram sentences. And spelling was a very important part of our studying. Now I’m not sure how much the students are accountable in that area. Especially with text speak.
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I’m not that young. I’m roaring down on 50!
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Oh my you really are old! I’ll be 65 in September! 😞😞😞
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I can say I used a typewriter my first 2 years of college! And we used the card catalog boxes at the library.
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Amen! Where did those good card catalogs go? I miss them!
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Ha ha. Replaced. 🙂
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Not only do I make up my own definitions, I make up my own words.
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You will end up with your own language! 🙂
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Oh yeah I look them up. There’s an app for that. 😉
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I just use Google most of the time.
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I think it may be both.
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There are a lot of people who don’t understand the true definition of a word. It can make communicating difficult.
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Completely agree
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I try to maintain a substantial agreement with the Dictionary, but many, it seems, can’t be bothered with such pickiness.
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It drives me nuts. Especially when I hear someone say “that’s not what that word means to me”. As if definitions are up for interpretation! lol
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I still use dictionaries for definition and etymology. Good question!
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I wish more people would allow definitions to impact their understanding. 🙂
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There are so many popularly used words that are used incorrectly even on the news, that it irritates the crap out of me.Then the meaning changes to something that it never meant in the first place in common conversation. e are becoming so dull, so fast! The speed of the dumbing down process is remarkable.
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Yes yes yes. I thought maybe I was just being crotchety old guy yelling at the kids to give off the lawn. lol
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I find different answers depending on where you look, so use the ones I hear most often. It’s fun looking up new words to find rhyming ones, but I make up some of my own you – it’s fun!
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What is your favorite made-up word?
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Lay and lie are killing me! I had to look them up in the dictionary a few days ago because I didn’t know which word to use. I still use the dictionary all the time.
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I do as well. I wish more people would!! lol
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I’m old school and I actually have an Oxford dictionary from high school in a desk drawer and take it out from time to time to look something up.
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I use Oxford online. It’s a little more convenient. Plus the book takes up way too much space on the shelf. lol
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As a reader one of the features I adore about my book app is clicking on a word and the dictionary definition pops up (with the definition in context, no less). But as a writer I too invent words sometimes. Good question, Danny. Lots of thought-provoking answers.
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This question came about because there are times when someone comments on a post and the answer perplexes me. They obviously have used a much different interpretation of a word like “self-awareness” which then creates a completely different post in their mind than what I intended.
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Ah. Even so it made for a good discussion 🙂
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Yes it did. 🙂
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This is a great question that I will put a twist on. As someone who writes book, my vocabulary is fairly extensive. I have had readers tell me that I use words that they have to look up when they are reading my writing. In your opinion, should I use simpler words or view it as a teaching moment. These have not been complaints, but, I think, some type of backhanded compliment.
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I like authors who use big words as long as it doesn’t come across like they are trying to use big words. I’ve read a lot of your work on your blog and I don’t think you misuse any words. Of course I might be biased because I am a fan.
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Thanks. I try not to employ convoluted utterances in an endeavor to confound individuals that consume my prose (I think I broke my thesaurus bone).
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Ha! I stopped following 2 bloggers who wrote like that. It came across as pretentious. lol
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That’s why I ain’t be doing it no more. (Ouch, that hurt as well)
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How about this one…Don, your my faverite bloger on the intranet. Thanke ewe four beeing sutch a goud riter. That is funny but now my brain hurts. lmao.
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You’re spell check must have overheated.
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As did my eyes and brain. lol
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And I used the wrong ‘your’. There you have it.
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It’s contagious!
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Do people do that??? just make up stuff? Thats Crazy! I use a dictionary multiple times a day!
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I noticed it yesterday when talking about self-awareness. The word has a definite definition, but a lot of people take it to mean things it doesn’t mean. lol
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Hahahah! That’s too funny.
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It’s funny…and frustrating. lol
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