Why does even suitable words that were used for communication fall out of disfavor every generation replaced almost entirely in even a few decades, let alone a century?
I just recall seeing the word 'repose' and you will never hear that word in spoken conversation and rarely written.
Or expressions such as 'by golly' which im sure at one time were not used as a patronizing poke at nostalgia but to express surprise.
The emotions seem basically the same but the words are replaced eventually to express the same or similar.
I can only speculate two reasons. The first being that the nuance of the word even if trivially minor does not fit the times, even if the jist or core is the same.
It also seems to be a rather form of prejudice for certain expressions or words to fall out of disfavor (though non-offensive) that were commonly used it seems. Perhaps it represented a certain social group/status, subculture of the time?
It always surprises me how language changes so much (when communication was unproblematic before) for apparently no reason at all. It doesnt seem there is a valid reason because its not always for the better. Communication as in vocabulary is not better today aside from just faster communication with acronyms.
Also, why is spoken communication so often different than written? As in the vocabulary?
Its as if its some unstated rule or manner to not communicate so precisely in person or conversation but only acceptable to do so in written form. You can hardly really describe actual things or events in black and white, good and bad etc that most use. Like when you ask a question, people will answer in the most general terms ever which isnt saying much of anything. The constant and overused 'it was bad or it was good' to describe everything and anything is like saying you were in north america when i ask on what street were you on in new orleans during mardi gras.
Also, why is there a paradox of progress in one area simultaneously seemingly regress in another aspect of society? When all aspects are supposed to either progress (better, not just change) or at least remain static until it progresses again.
For instance, our vocabulary today is not only smaller but much less nuanced and sophisticated in choice of words for communication. It tends to be very flat and general emphasizing little texture or ambiance just like describing both a house and a slice of bread as a square or rectangle. Thats how it comes across, missing everything but the bare bones.
I just recall seeing the word 'repose' and you will never hear that word in spoken conversation and rarely written.
Or expressions such as 'by golly' which im sure at one time were not used as a patronizing poke at nostalgia but to express surprise.
The emotions seem basically the same but the words are replaced eventually to express the same or similar.
I can only speculate two reasons. The first being that the nuance of the word even if trivially minor does not fit the times, even if the jist or core is the same.
It also seems to be a rather form of prejudice for certain expressions or words to fall out of disfavor (though non-offensive) that were commonly used it seems. Perhaps it represented a certain social group/status, subculture of the time?
It always surprises me how language changes so much (when communication was unproblematic before) for apparently no reason at all. It doesnt seem there is a valid reason because its not always for the better. Communication as in vocabulary is not better today aside from just faster communication with acronyms.
Also, why is spoken communication so often different than written? As in the vocabulary?
Its as if its some unstated rule or manner to not communicate so precisely in person or conversation but only acceptable to do so in written form. You can hardly really describe actual things or events in black and white, good and bad etc that most use. Like when you ask a question, people will answer in the most general terms ever which isnt saying much of anything. The constant and overused 'it was bad or it was good' to describe everything and anything is like saying you were in north america when i ask on what street were you on in new orleans during mardi gras.
Also, why is there a paradox of progress in one area simultaneously seemingly regress in another aspect of society? When all aspects are supposed to either progress (better, not just change) or at least remain static until it progresses again.
For instance, our vocabulary today is not only smaller but much less nuanced and sophisticated in choice of words for communication. It tends to be very flat and general emphasizing little texture or ambiance just like describing both a house and a slice of bread as a square or rectangle. Thats how it comes across, missing everything but the bare bones.
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