On Words and Business

In honor of the anniversary of our country’s founding…

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Read the entire transcript of the Declaration of Independence, and the “…Facts submitted to a candid world.” It’s thought-provoking, especially in this age, to read the “…history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. “

Language is, as they say, a living entity. It’s at its best when new words and phrases are added to adjust to new things and new ideas. And I’m all for it.

With one recent exception: ginormous (from gigantic and enormous).

New words that are combinations of existing words don’t bother me in general. I quite like that type of creativity. And I quite like the bottom up approach of those new words entering the language. But this particular one does bother me. For one simple reason: it’s root words mean the same thing! What did we gain here?

Anyone else have a new word or phrase that particularly rankles?

A fascinating list of 10 things the author wishes were taught in freelance school.

These are great lessons for anyone working for themselves, in whatever capacity. Here are my faves:

1. Not all your time will be spent writing, or doing whatever it is you tell people you do.

2. You may consider yourself “just” a writer (or designer or consultant), but really you are a marketing specialist.

5. Train others to treat you right.

8. Continue to challenge yourself.

Advice for writers from George Carlin’s last interview:

On Finding a Unique Angle

“One of the voguish terms, which is so repellant to me, “thinking outside the box.” To settle for that kind of language is embarrassing. But that’s a very useful picture. I try to come in through the side door, the side window, to come in from a direction they’re not expecting, to see something in a different way.”

Thanks to Copyblogger for posting this and linking to the full interview.