Saving the Words

February 4, 2009 by Chris · Comments Off
Filed under: Writer's Life

As a writer, it only makes sense that you would have a passion for words, for the language. That’s when I saw LifeHacker’s post about SaveTheWords.org, I had to take a look.

The purpose of the site is to resurrect those words doomed for extinction. As the website points out, hundreds of words are dropped from dictionaries each year. That’s why the site exists; to encourage people to adopt words, to use them, to save them. Words, even if not used today, are part of our history.

I adopted two words, ten cent store and phasianic. I grew up with a ten cent store down the street. I spent many a dime, nickel, and quarter there. Taking the short walk to town was one of my first experiences of doing grown up things. Unfortunately, the ten cent store today is now the $1.25 store. My word is a tribute to my past.

The second word is definitely a bit more obscure. From what I was able to gather, it was more widely used in the mid-1800s. The word means of or pertaining to pheasants. Not an odd choice really. The trails I walk are full of pheasants. So, naturally I’d like to be able to describe these phasianic walks.

Pay attention to the definition when you adopt a word. You won’t find them in your dictionary at home or online. That’s why you’re taking on this mission–to save the words.

Tags: save the words