I like some words more than others.
I know. I’ve said it before. But words are our way to connect with the world. They are what we use to convey our ideas and our thoughts.
Since humans are thick and dull for the most part, we have come to rely on words as our main form of communication. While other species have learned to use mental and physical signals, we humans are limited by speech and writing.
And in that?
As I said. Some words are better than others.
Which leads me to ask this question.
As the year 2023 came to a close, never to be again, and having lived through that entire year, what word or words would you use to describe it?
For me, it probably depends on the time and the event. So, one word would not do. There have been joyous events and sad events. Scary, horrible things have occurred. And wonderful, miraculous things have happened.
But. If I had to pick one word, it would probably be cockamamie.
Cockamamie is an adjective. It is pronounced like this:
cockamamie | ˈkäkəˌmāmē | (also cockamamy)
And it means ridiculous, implausible.
In addition to a great definition, it sounds wonderful when you say it.
I’ve been using this word to describe our world, especially here in the United States, since 2016. That’s when people started losing their sense of decency. And logic. And common sense.
I don’t need to go through the laundry list of bad behavior that has gripped our country, everything from personal assaults to the destruction of the planet.
But it is simply ridiculous. The news is so terrible on a daily basis that many people I know have quit watching it.
Certainly, good things still happen. Good people still exist and they do good, good things.
So. With that. I hope things will shift back to sanity in 2024. I hope goodness, kindness, and love will take over and rule the day.
I hope virtue and, integrity and truth will be the way.
And then I can give cockamamie back to Abbott and Costello.
What is your word for 2023?
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“Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.” – Seneca
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“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” – C.S. Lewis
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“Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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There. I said it. The word for 2023.
