The Absent Uncle: They are only words

A few days ago, I started to think about words with different meanings – a single word that could mean two completely different things. For example, the word “board”. Same word, same spelling and two different meanings. (Unlike “bored”.) It all depends on how it is used. 

To say nothing of a word like “would” or “wood”. Different spellings, entirely different meanings. Then “one” and “won”. “Through” and “threw”. We can go on and on. 

To take it a different way, we have words that are nouns (things) and adjectives (actions). The word “fear” came to mind immediately. We can “fear” and take action from an approaching storm (verb) or we can have an overall great “fear” of storms (noun). The differences of meanings and grammar parts of speech really make our language pretty difficult for a new user to assimilate.  

All of this is from the thought of hearing and trying to communicate in a foreign language and understanding how difficult understanding between languages can be – but even how difficult it can be to be understood within our own very diverse population speaking the same language. 

Growing up in our “neck of the woods” it is understood we have our own set of expressions that quite often are not understood or have a fully appreciated meaning. After all, we expect that dinner is served in the midday and supper is the evening meal. Lunch is something you have between those two. Moving around the country and misinterpreting when you are getting together for a meal can leave you hungry and misunderstood. 

My wife (who is from California by birth) is still finding my expressive descriptions unique and interesting (my word, not hers). She still says, after our 45-plus years together – “never heard that one before – where do they come from”? 

I can’t imagine trying to put together standard meanings with these folksy sayings and thinking about being understood. So, on a serious note – is it any wonder that we just don’t understand each other, and that we need to try to communicate more clearly, that we need to try to make sure what we are saying we really mean; and that we try to keep our communication sensible, respectful, and be true to our word.

After all, they are only words.