Previously known for its six syllables of sweetness and light, reconciliation has become the political fighting word of the year.
William SafireRead
At a certain point, what people mean when they use a word becomes its meaning.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Words gain meaning through societal usage rather than their original definitions.
This quote by William Safire emphasizes the concept that language and meaning are dynamic. Over time, the way a community uses a word can redefine its significance, highlighting the evolving nature of communication and the influence of collective understanding on the words we choose to express our thoughts.
Themes
LanguageMeaningWordsCommunicationSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on semantics, one might reference this quote to illustrate the fluidity of language.
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Never assume the obvious is true.
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Stop worrying about the 'dumbing down' of our language by bloggers, tweeters, cableheads and MSM thumbsuckers engaged in a 'race to the bottom' of the page by little minds confined to little words.
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Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.
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Sometimes I know the meaning of a word but am tired of it and feel the need for an unfamiliar, especially precise or poetic term, perhaps one with a nuance that flatters my readership's exquisite sensitivity.
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