Albertus Minimus

Stunned into silence

It's strange how a word can pass from having a specific, clear meaning, through the stage of being applied metaphorically, to final extinction in meaningless overuse. We have an example today in 'stunning'. If I see another case of an expensive development of two- and three-bedroom designer flats (apartments) being described as 'stunning' I think I will be duty bound to write to the developers and ask quite why they have seen fit to install an automatic punching glove behind the doors of these new apartments, so made that the moment one enters one is struck on the chin and rendered semi-conscious.

The obvious question is why should it be seen as positive that a building, a flat, or a business opportunity should make one insensible? Thus we see how a perfectly good word has been dissolved, by the universal acid of PR speak, into nonsense. George Orwell wrote in '1984' of a regime that rendered dissent impossible by systematically removing from the language any words that could express dissent. Now we are in danger of creating a culture where it's impossible to say anything at all because words have been stripped of meaning.

The Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut

Did you know the word 'mugger' derives from the Hindi term 'magar', which comes from the Sanskrit 'makara', meaning 'water monster' or crocodile? The reason I now know this rather arcane piece of etymology is that I am reading Rudyard Kipling's 'The Second Jungle Book' and one of the stories takes the form of a conversation between an Adjutant bird, a Jackal and the feared and fearsome Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut – a crocodile. So a mugger was originally the name for the freshwater crocodile of India. Remember to point that out the next time a hooded youth requests money with menaces; no doubt he will be so fascinated that he will desist in his demands.

By the way, if you haven't read any Kipling, can I recommend him to you: he is probably the most purely enjoyable writer I have ever come across, and even a century on his stories about India convey the country more clearly than any other writer I have come across.

And a final note: the word 'hugger-mugger' is of unknown derivation, but I suspect it may be something to do with that remarkable Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut.

How to describe Andrew Sullivan?

Paparatziphobic!

Done sharing

'Share.'

My copy of the OED defines the word as follows: n. 1 a part or portion of a larger amount which is divided among or contributed by a number of people. > any of the equal parts into which a company's capital is divided. > part-ownership of property. 2 the allotted or due amount of something expected to be had or done. > a contribution to something. * v. have a share of with another or others. > (often share something out) give a share of (something) to another or others. > possess in common with others. > (share in) have a part in (an activity). 2 tell someone about.

When did share acquire that second verb meaning? I have always understood sharing as precisely the first definition, that is dividing something up. For instance, I might share my lunch with you, with the result that I'll have less to eat (no bad thing) and you'll have more (which might also be a bad thing, as you haven't tried my lunch). But sometime over the last 15 years the word share slipped into meaning: let me tell you something that I really, really want to tell you, but I don't want it to seem like I'm imposing my own views on you so let me use a nice caring euphemism for going ahead and doing what I was going to do anyway.

The accurate phrase: I'll tell you what I think.

The mealy-mouthed periphrase: let me share my feelings with you.

Am I alone in feeling a well-nigh irresistible urge to scream when I hear that phrase? So please, if you have any comments: remember, don't share, tell!