Archive for the ‘Language’ Category

The Minnesota Senate race is finally settled, and former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken has been declared the winner.

At a press conference outside his home in Minneapolis, I was more than a bit surprised when Franken, known for his sharply clever comedy writing, said:

“So even though Franni and I are thrilled and honored by the faith that Minnesotans have placed in me, I’m also humbled,” he said, “not just by the closeness of this election, but also by the enormity of the responsibilities that come with this office.”

Oh! The enormity!

Surely not?

Contrary to common use, “enormity” isn’t really about size at all. It may sound as though it means “enormousness,” but in careful usage it does not.

“Enormity” actually means outrageousness or extreme wickedness. (I’m pretty sure that the dictionary meaning doesn’t encompass the New England usage of “wicked:” “Being Senator is a wicked cool job!”)

So, let’s see. Does the new Senator mean:

“…the extreme wickedness of the responsibilities that come with this office?”

or perhaps

“…the outrageousness of the responsibilities that come with this office?”

I certainly hope it is not the former. That would be such a disappointment, although certainly not to, say, Rush Limbaugh. The second choice might apply if Senator Franken uses his maiden speech on the Senate floor to try out some new, blue stand-up material.

Oh! The enormity!

Could the word “swill” be making a comeback?

Several news reporters and commentators quoted President Obama’s sentence in his inaugural address that used the word. It’s probably one of the very best sentences in what was a thoughtful, considered, and well-delivered speech.

I generally like recycling, especially the recycling of useful bits. So it’s nice to see a useful old word come back into use, especially one as descriptive and direct as this.

This even gives me a bit of hope that, perhaps, a President who is not afraid to call things by their real names will not be afraid to do the real things that need doing.

Did I hear our new President use the word “swill” in his inaugural speech?

We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

Yes, indeed I did! I think the only other person I’ve ever heard use that marvelously descriptive word is my grandmother, and I know I’ve never heard it in a public speech before.

“Swill” is quite an old word, deriving from the Old English swillan, and means liquid or partly liquid food for animals, especially kitchen refuse given to swine. It can be traced back to at least 900CE, when swillan had the meaning or “to wash” or “to gargle.” The more modern noun usage traces back to the mid 16th century. (Sources: Random House Unabridged Dictionary and Online Etymology Dictionary)

How refreshing it is to have a President who uses words so deftly and calls things by their right names!