Show d 3 I T i Time lime For 1 l- l Class oI I 1 By CHICO i STATE COLLEGE M WORDS Words fitly spoken are like apples of or gold cold In baskets of or silver This Is a n. well-known well Biblical proverb In modern parlance we say the word should fit tit titI the thought like a glove or of or I language means the right word In the right place Selection of or the appropriate word therefore requires either cither ft n na- na natural na na- natural natural tural affinity for words or a careful study of language It Is 15 well to remember that words like manners manner and clothes have certain Revels level j of usage Some are formal some common others provincial crude or vulgar gar Roughly divided words fall raIl into four classes learned common colloquial I and Illiterate For example residence abode habitation habitation habitation tion domicile belong to elevated or lit lit- literary literary literary style House and home arc familiar or common words words closely as- as associated with life and experience House though a general word Is often used Informally for home Home connotes I happy loving family life lire It is a place cherished for its comfort and tender memories It is 15 a word rich In sentiment and emotional appeal On a lower level the and slang expressions for dwelling places are shack hovel hut Joint and dump tTo t I ITo To take another example words synonymous with hobo form fonn an interest Interest- interesting Interesting ing group Of or foreign derivation vaga vaga- vagabond vagabond vagabond bond and vagrant are on a somewhat higher level than hobo tramp and drifter Yet these words have almost identical meaning viz a homeless wan wun- derer Between these levels belong tour tour- tourist tourIst tourist transient nomad and gypsy Slang eq equivalents are bum stiff sti floater wll- wll lIe He and sundowner NoV Not N w only Is the fitness of or the word word restricted by such connotative meanings as these but changes In language some- some sometimes times bring obscure or forgotten mean mean- meanings meanings meanings ings sharply into focus No single thing abides but all things flow This is true of or our changing langu langu- age For example propaganda literally meant means to spread information good or bad Now propaganda has a a. meaning It is something to be feared something to be on our guard against The term sanctions has of or late taken a sharp political significance Expedience I came into a new vogue during the recent Industry Is one of or the chief sources of or new words in our language Examples of recent additions in this realm are nylon streamlined stream ined plastic air condl Uon tion preview up hook-up and photogenic On the slang level our language Is con con- constantly constantly constantly picking up new words Some of or these are dated but a few remain and In the course of or time are built into the language Likewise some words lapse with age or as we say become obsolete obsolete trite or rare Three practical suggestions may be offered concerning the use of or words The first Is that simple words those which I express our most Intimate thoughts and amI amInee needs nee never wear out they are strong j jana I one and impressive Simple words are preferable pre 1 pre pre- preferable I therefore except when the sub sub- subJect sUb sUb-I subject requires a particularly technical or or elevated style Second a good dictionary i I and a standard book of or synonyms are indispensable aids in building a voca voca- And third good reading inevitably InevItably inevitably ably develops good taste ta te In irl the use of or language PROFESSOR RUB A. A A JONES Freshman English I ChIco State College COl ege California |