Words in the News

As a word nerd, I’m delighted to report the recent proliferation of news about words. As a writer and editor, I’m always examining words – where they come from, why an author chose one over another, which word will give just the right emphasis to an argument or a product plug.

For Women’s History Month, Oxford Languages is sponsoring a March 8 webinar “exploring sexist language in the dictionary” – why certain words are even chosen to be included as dictionary entries when they’re considered offensive. I’ve signed up to learn more.

The New York Times’ Michael Shear wrote a thorough examination of what he calls the “rhetorical overhaul” now underway by the Biden administration, changing government websites and documents to purge the sometimes loaded word choices mandated by the Trump administration for environmental, immigration and other hot-button issues.

Of course, some readers will consider the new administration's word choices vexing, too. That's exactly what makes words so fascinating. 

And Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich has penned a clever article just in time for spring, a discussion of the word 'apricity.' I'd never heard it before, which is the ultimate thrill for a word-lover. Now, I'm trying to figure out how to work it into conversations.

If sentences are art forms, like paintings – or collages? –  words are the colors. The more I know about them, the more I can help clients make theirs jump right off the page.

(Photo credit: Depositphotos.com)