I am a lover of language. That’s why it burns me to hear words used and abused, stripping them of their original meaning and punch.
Let me give you the top two most awful abuses of language I’ve seen of late:
Fierce (adj.): having a savage of violent nature. (syn. cruel)
You can thank Tyra Banks for this one. The people on “America’s Next Top Model” use this almost as much as the word “the.” Mostly they use it when they want the girl to look exotic and just a little bit sexy. (Stylist to aspiring model, who is hosted up in the air, dressed as a sign of the zodiac and sporting a bra and panty combo from Warnaco: “Work that harness! You are looking fierce!”) Now, this little word has creeped into our every day language.
A word once used to describe things like terrorists and murders will soon be thrown around suburbia. (“Wow! These brownies will look fierce on my Easter table!” / “Tylenol is on sale? Fierce!”)
Ugh.
Diva (n): an operatic prima donna or a very successful singer of nonoperatic music
Essentially it’s a woman (typically a singer) who has a reputation for being demanding -- but through talent, hard work and experience, has earned that right.
For example, Aretha Franklin is a great example of a diva. Yeah, she freaks out if the air conditioning is on and likes to sip Evian water out of silver cups. However, at the end of the day, she delivers, giving audiences more than their money’s worth.
That’s right. A diva.
Now, divas are used to describe everything from strippers, book-loving women, transgendered nightclubs, fine Indian cuisine, and onesies, to shows featuring Jessica Simpson. Trust me. I could go on forever.
Please pardon me, divas. I’m off to make a fierce cup of coffee!
I'm thinking that term can also apply to hard-assed female bloggers...
It's all about attitude.
; P
Posted by: Christina | March 29, 2005 at 12:26 PM
Believe me, TJ, I'm not knocking you. I love language, too. But, language does evolve and it's not always about bastardization of words.
Enjoy that coffee!
; )
Posted by: Christina | March 29, 2005 at 12:28 PM
One that's been coming up lately that bugs me: Since. Since does not mean because (WRONG: Since I had a blog, I was fired. RIGHT: I was fired because I had a blog). Since always should reference an element of time, not to a cause-and-effect relationship. It's a lot like the farther/further difference.
Posted by: Shabe | March 29, 2005 at 01:29 PM
Dearest Christina -- Absolutely NO offense intended.
You gals *are* divas -- in the true sense -- because you're smart, savvy and you DELIVER the goods.
I think what put the nail in the coffin for me yesterday was seeing the screechy little adolescent singers on Puffy's "Making the Band" repeatedly referred to by their handlers as "Divas." I'm sorry but singing an off key solo at your junior high school choir concert does NOT earn you the right to be a Diva!
Posted by: TJ | March 29, 2005 at 03:19 PM
No offense taken, sweet Sistah...
; )
I think we may be moving on to Goddess, anyway...and YOU are definitely Goddess material.
Posted by: Christina | March 29, 2005 at 03:24 PM
Shabe, I agree. I've noticed the same thing -- and try to catch myself whenever I do it, though I'm not always successful.
I *still* screw up the further / farther thing. Grrr!
Posted by: TJ | March 29, 2005 at 03:24 PM
Congratulations on your page, it is really interesting
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