[I totally lost yesterday. Pretend this was
posted Wednesday. ππ]
A Ringing Word-wise Wordplay
In these hectic days leading into various religious Holidays and a promising New Year, we ask ourselves, what is truly important
in life? Or do we?
We are often so caught up in day-to-day
survival and the hustle and bustle of the Holiday activities that we tend to overlook ourselves, and if we’re actually happy. Perhaps it’s time to take a quiet
moment and ask yourself that question.
In the whole scheme of the Universe
and your life, it is imperative that
you know …
*IMPERATIVE (im perΚΉΙ tiv) adj. – 1 having the nature of, or
indicating, power or authority; commanding [an imperative gesture]; 2 absolutely
necessary, urgent, compelling [it is imperative
that I go] … [WW #91]
A few days before Christmas, what is important
this week?
In my first thoughts of the day, as I recalled
Christmases past, family and friends, I wrote that it was imperative to spend
quality time with them; not just this week, but throughout the year. Life is short,
unpredictable, and extremely fragile.
I looked at what I wrote and questioned the
correct definition of imperative. Did it display the right
emotion
for what I sought to convey?
To be honest, I did not look first this time,
to my trusty hardbound dictionary. Too lazy to pick it up, I right-clicked my
mouse for Microsoft’s mostly-correct-but-sometimes-a little-off synonyms. The
meaning I’d meant hit the bottom of the list—was this not a preferred
definition? Hmmmm.
Although I could be wrong (don’t tell anyone I
said that) I pursued confirmation that imperative carried the heavy weight
of importance. Nope—Microsoft says:
-
authoritative
-
domineering
-
bossy
-
imperious
-
overbearing
-
commanding
-
vital
Really?! Vital, the synonym that came closest to what
I had in mind, dragged at the bottom of the list.
“Definition of imperative
- 1 a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation c : having power to restrain, control, and direct
- 2 : not to be avoided or evaded : necessary <an imperative duty>”
Again, the most applicable definition for this
word, as the majority of us use it, brought up the rear. Yet, when seeking the
synonym of important, we do find imperative
in Microsoft’s robo-synonyms at the lofty third position (of eight). Go figure.
*That’s when I belatedly picked up the three-pound,
seventeen-hundred-page tome next to my desk. Finally the 21st century printed dinosaur validated imperative’s
elusive synonym for vitally important,
as you see it above, albeit, relegated to second place.
The moral of this Christmas story, is don’t
take the “word” of only your digital devices when it comes to writing—especially
for publication. Know what you’re saying, mean what you say—especially when you
speak to those who matter most to you.
And with that … back to my original morning
thought … it is imperative during this busy season while giving to and doing for
others, to ask yourself who and what makes you
happy? Such a simple question, right? If it is, then you aren’t asking it in
all sincerity.
Word Challenge: IMPERATIVE. “Write first for
yourself. Only then can you write for others.” (1998, L. Rochelle). That
applies to your happiness, as well. Go ahead … fit imperative into your week
of meaningful Holiday writings.
* Sometimes it’s in your best interest while
writing, to “let your fingers do the walking,” and consult the good ol’
hardbound dictionary. (The archaic but still iconic promo has lost its
relevance for the Yellow Pages, but
works good here.)
Just a reminder: All of the official
definitions presented in Wordplay
Wednesday are accurately quoted from a current, printed edition of the Webster’s New World College Dictionary / The Official Dictionary of The Associated Press
Stylebook.
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