Innocent Words You Just Can't Trust About People You Don't Kno

[page]

No apology necessary, Page.

I am certain if we English speakers went to Finland with a modest understanding of the Finnish language, we would do the same or worse in that regard.

Seems to me that you have an excellent understanding of the English language and probably better than many who were born in America...."awesome" you might say.

Thanks Tim, that is kind to say. I'm not into Finnish really but I do watch Skandinavian series, mostly detectives but I need some, English or Dutch subtitles to follow what is going on exactly.

[page]

I apologize for the use of the word "awesome" when that has been really annoying, any good synonyms for that one? My reply to the original question would be "whatever" used as a single reply. I hate that word. It shows that someone doesn't care really.

O.K., as another non-native speaker but very interested in language and its nuances too, may I weigh in here?

About "awesome". I fully agree with those who find it highly inappropriate in its inflationary use today. So if you seem to have used it often yourself and now wonder about synonyms, just think about it from that angle:

Consider the ACTUAL and KEY meaning of "awe" in its original sense and decide for yourself if what you think is "awesome" reallly is that "awe-inspiring" that it TRULY deserves being called that. Are there that many instances in our everyday lives where what we experience holds us that much in awe? Particularly if people make a habit of calling their morning cup of coffee "awesome" just because it tastes good - or their ride to work if for once they have not got stuck in a bad traffic jam but just were able to zip through. See what I mean? If you (not YOU in person - I don't know how you use the word exactly, but the people out there at large) use those superlatives wherever you go and move then it all gets numbed down from over-use. And if you consider everything "awesome" then in the end NOTHING is REALLY "awesome" anymore.

So why not just nuance things in your use of the langueage? Is there any shortage of words to express your appreciation, ranging from "nice" to "great" to "excellent" to "marvelous" to "cool" to ... whatever ... ("whatever" HERE meaning any number of other words that aren't really difficult to think of but no point in rattling off Webster's Dictionary )

Now, about "whatever" in the sense you complain about, I see what you mean and sometimes you no doubt are right that it just shows indifference and unwillingness to get into an exchange, but I beg to disgree in your generalization. I can think of a dozen situations where that single-word reply "whatever" sounds more like a CONCLUDING verbal shrugging of shoulders rather meaning something like "We've tried to discuss this and I have tried to make my point and get through to you but you just don't want to listen or to take up that argument to take the discussion further so I have said all I could possibly say. Make of it whatever you want but don't bug me anymore now, will ya?" You see, it's all about nuancing, and sometimes I can understand people who cut things short this way instead of getting too verbose over and over again. I've witnessed it among native speakers in quite a few cases in this sense as the culmination of an exchange which in the end turned out to be fruitless, at least to the one who cut things short with that one-word reply of "whatever".

Hope I've been able to get through to you with that ...

You have, really. I think the expression "to be in awe" is a pretty one and I've used "awesome" along that line, but I did notice that it hasn't got that meaning quite with everyone. The fact that you take this word and explain with your examples to make it clear how it can be used in nuance and the same for "whatever" makes me like to explore the differences even more. Isn't it so that you look at things through your own eyes and through your own experience and that makes you like things (not necessarily just things, but events, experiences, or expressions and phrases for that matter) or dislike them? So my, negative, experience with "whatever" made me say that, but it doesn't mean that I'm correct about it since it can and has been used by others in another way that doesn't show negativity at all, so it needn't be that and I needn't look at it that way. Thank you for pointing that out. Generalization I shouldn't have used there. There are always exceptions, you are so right about that! I did use "whatever" and "awesome" in a song I wrote btw, since this was about someone who used these in his speech or something similar and I wanted to describe that. It wasn't in a negative way there and I still feel happy about how those lyrics turned out. Thanks for taking me down to earth, Steve, lol. (That is a smile btw; using the Dutch word again for "fun")

Thanks all for replying, Tim, erwbol, Jazzmoose and Big Beat Steve! Like I've said, I'm learning every day. I really appreciate your input here!

Kind regards, page

Edited June 13, 2015 by page

[A Lark Ascending]

It appears that the phrase "I am passionate about (insert nature of one's job here)" is mandatory in one's Twitter profile blurb.

It's also regular in job applications. 'I am passionate about the teaching of history....'

It's all part of that Saturday night talent show zeitgeist of 'reaching for the stars', 'dreaming your dreams' blah blah blah.

I'm always more comfortable with understatement.

Edited June 13, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[alankin]

From the business world:

"right-shoring" -- "We're moving your job overseas."

"nearshoring" -- "You're still losing your job, but we're not moving it as far."

"rightsizing" -- "You're just plain losing your job."

See also: "work force reduction", "early retirement", "dislocated worker", "reduction in force"

And yes, I am seeking job leads.

[xybert]

I remember how ridiculous i felt putting ''i am passionate about providing excellent customer service'' in my CV... but you've got to have it there! They want someone that's passionate! If you're not passionate, they'll find someone who is!

[Big Beat Steve]

I remember how ridiculous i felt putting ''i am passionate about providing excellent customer service'' in my CV... but you've got to have it there! They want someone that's passionate! If you're not passionate, they'll find someone who is!

Yes that's the really bad thing about overemphasising the motivation of what you're supposed to do.

And to make matters worse, OF COURSE they want you to be "passionate" about what THEY consider "consider excellent customer service" only as long as this means they can turn a fast sales buck.

If they'd be REALLY passionate about providing such "excellent customer service" they'd

a) of course replace their customers' defective itmes free of charge (and no questions aked) ALTHOUGH the warranty period has just elapsed,

b) not mind one bit if you, their customer, rush into their shop two minutes before closing time with a list as long as your arm of items you immediately need and of course they'd fall all over themselves turning their shelves upside down to fill your order at once,

and so on and so on ...

Pretty rare, though, that they'll be THAT passionate ...

[medjuck]

I know a guy that describes almost every album and band as "brilliant". I've tried to point out to him that he's misusing the word, but then he just gets pissy.

Is he British? The Brits use "brilliant" a lot.

[A Lark Ascending]

'Essential'

Always thought it meant your kidneys, heart, brain will fail without it. Seems to mean 'I like this record.'

'Word!'

That one seemed to come out of nowhere a few years back...I gathered it meant 'I agree'. Always had me visualising someone well into middle age trying to compensate for the bald patch by trying to be dawn wiv da kidz.

Edited June 15, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[Shawn]

I know a guy that describes almost every album and band as "brilliant". I've tried to point out to him that he's misusing the word, but then he just gets pissy.

Is he British? The Brits use "brilliant" a lot.

He's from Boston.

[Tim McG]

No apology necessary, Page.

I am certain if we English speakers went to Finland with a modest understanding of the Finnish language, we would do the same or worse in that regard.

Seems to me that you have an excellent understanding of the English language and probably better than many who were born in America...."awesome" you might say.

Thanks Tim, that is kind to say. I'm not into Finnish really but I do watch Skandinavian series, mostly detectives but I need some, English or Dutch subtitles to follow what is going on exactly.

TBH, I just pulled Finland off the top of my head to use as an example.

I am certain we would butcher the Danish language, too.

Edited June 16, 2015 by TimMcG