Posts Tagged ‘enormity’

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!