Certain words have always hung on to me during my life.
Gumption is one that springs to mind right now. I love its definition. From Webster, it means “shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness.” It can go in all sorts of directions. Resourcefulness, for sure. Enterprise, imagination, ingenuity, cleverness, astuteness. But more than anything, spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage. Grit, spunk, oomph.
But here is the thing about gumption. The word itself, the way it sounds, also reminds me of soup. Yes. Soup. Maybe because it sounds a bit like gumbo. But I always see dumplings when I hear the word gumption. A big, hot, steamy bowl of gumption.
All of this comes to mind because some time ago, the word buttress popped up. And it happened about three times in one day. Buttress is another word that has always stuck in my mind. Its meaning says one thing. But the sound of it reminds me of something totally different.
By definition, this noun describes a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall. It can also be a source of defense or support. We’ve seen those buttresses on buildings, especially on cathedrals. Yet. Whenever I hear this word, I see one of those women that are on the front of ships. Those are called figureheads. Those carved wooden sculptures that decorate the bow or stern of a sailing ship. They should not be called figureheads. They should be called buttresses.
And figurehead should be used exclusively to describe a person who has a title or position of leadership but has little to no actual power. Like a king who is a symbolic head of a nation.
Or, possibly, one of those little bobblehead dolls that you get at ballgames. That could be a figurehead.
Buttress=Ship Lady
Figurehead=Bobblehead character at a baseball game
Gumption=Dumpling soup
The moral of the story here? Just be glad that I am not a lexicographer.
“””””””””
“The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.” — Socrates
“””””””””
“Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
“””””””””
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein
“””””””””
The word says one thing, but says another. Oh. My ears.
