Using the right word

[tomlitilia]

Googling around, I stumbled upon this site: http://wonkomance.com/2012/06/28/a-dewy-pink-rose-by-any-other-name/
I found myself agreeing with most of the examples. The wrong word can really destroy a good story.

 

[AZMotherLover]

Funny article. I LOLed.

 

[Handley_Page]

Googling around, I stumbled upon this site: http://wonkomance.com/2012/06/28/a-dewy-pink-rose-by-any-other-name/
I found myself agreeing with most of the examples. The wrong word can really destroy a good story.

Damned useful advice there.

 

[Athalia]

Damned useful advice there.

I agree, about ninety-five percent. I do have a few issues with some of the words on her no-go list, like "tunnel" and "bud" for instance. I like those words, and I try to use them in the context that seems right for them.

I'm wondering how many of these are culture-sensitive, where words used in American English are considered not-on in British or Australian English. She herself points out how some of these phrases belong in the literary world of the bodice and corset and seem strange in modern contexts.

I think I quoted Mark Twain elsewhere, but his remark is appropriate here:

"The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning-bug."

 

[jomar]

And here I thought this was a Patrick O'Brian thread.

 

[DreamCloud]

Good information - Saving the link was natural.

 

[curl4ever]

Linguistics question...

Just for intellectual curiosity, in case there are any experts in the forum... (Silly question, I know.)

There are clearly some words that can be re-used endlessly without being noticed by a reader and other words that get repetitive after two or three uses. Is there some research or rule-of-thumb about how humans set that dividing line? Does it depend on the presence or absence of alternatives? Does it vary among different languages? Does it depend on the type of material (literature vs technical, etc.)?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks,
- curl

 

[Athalia]

There are clearly some words that can be re-used endlessly without being noticed by a reader and other words that get repetitive after two or three uses. Is there some research or rule-of-thumb about how humans set that dividing line? Does it depend on the presence or absence of alternatives? Does it vary among different languages? Does it depend on the type of material (literature vs technical, etc.)?

I have no idea, other than the writer's own ear for such things.

The danger is that, in search of different words for the same thing, you choose words that are obviously out of context for the cultural needs of the plot. To see the word "wang" and "manhood" in the same paragraph (or even in the same story) would be jarring, to say the least.

But if a man's penis is the subject or object of every sentence in the paragraph, all the synonyms in the world won't correct the basic flaw of the paragraph, at least as far as I as the reader am concerned. I mean, there are other body parts involved, some of them not even genitalia. But maybe I'm weird.

 

[sr71plt]

There also are words used repeatedly for effect. It's a writing technique. If you won't repeat anything but the basic words you are in danger to be thought of as having your three thesauri too close to hand and of not being that sure what word you think is the best fit. Just write it out and don't worry about this sort of thing until a later review. By then it should sit well or not.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Generally speaking, I try to avoid too many reps of longer words, such as "succulent" and "voluptuous." Those are good, descriptive words, but they can easily be overdone. Shorter words, such as "soft" and "smooth" can stand to be repeated more often, but even those should not be overdone.

Extreme words, such as "ecstasy" should not be overdone. A woman will derive pleasure or delight or joy from having her nipples licked, but she will not reach ecstasy from it.

 

[slyc_willie]

Googling around, I stumbled upon this site: http://wonkomance.com/2012/06/28/a-dewy-pink-rose-by-any-other-name/
I found myself agreeing with most of the examples. The wrong word can really destroy a good story.

It's just one person's opinion, and I take exception to many of the examples. I've seen what I consider to be "good" use of supposedly clinical terms such as penis and vagina, and crude terms such as cock and cunt.

The article's author has as much right as anybody to voice his/her opinion, but this one is a long way from being universal.

 

[tomlitilia]

It's just one person's opinion, and I take exception to many of the examples. I've seen what I consider to be "good" use of supposedly clinical terms such as penis and vagina, and crude terms such as cock and cunt.

The article's author has as much right as anybody to voice his/her opinion, but this one is a long way from being universal.

Of course it's just one person's opinion. Personally I agree with most of things though, except for "tits". I like tits. Either way I think many stories would benefit from more careful selection of words. I just read a story where Pussy was referred to as "fuck hole." Really? I think a good rule is to ask yourself "does it sound like coming from a frat boy?" If the answer is yes, the story will likely benefit from other wording. Unless it's the word "tits".

 

[NaokoSmith]

Of course it's just one person's opinion. Personally I agree with most of things though, except for "tits". I like tits. Either way I think many stories would benefit from more careful selection of words. I just read a story where Pussy was referred to as "fuck hole." Really? I think a good rule is to ask yourself "does it sound like coming from a frat boy?" If the answer is yes, the story will likely benefit from other wording. Unless it's the word "tits".

(Read the sig. )

What happened to that great thread with the illustrations of carelessly worded descriptions of sex? (You know, like 'he threw his eyes over her body'.)

 

[sr71plt]

Of course it's just one person's opinion. Personally I agree with most of things though, except for "tits". I like tits. Either way I think many stories would benefit from more careful selection of words. I just read a story where Pussy was referred to as "fuck hole." Really? I think a good rule is to ask yourself "does it sound like coming from a frat boy?" If the answer is yes, the story will likely benefit from other wording. Unless it's the word "tits".

One more vote for the personal opinion (and thereby voting that trying to suggest making rules on this is yet another useless wheel-spinning activity)--I click out of stories using "pussy" (except as spoken by a bimbo character) as being juvenile and ruining any enjoyment I could get out of the story, making me question the mental age of the author. Doesn't mean I want authors to stop using the word if they want to and it works for them.

(I think you should have gotten exactly the same reaction to "pussy" as you say you do to "fuck hole.")

 

[Katiecat]

I agree...it's definitely a matter of personal preference and taste. And context, too. "Pussy" makes me think of something warm, friendly, maybe furry, that is happy when you pet it. "Cunt" and "dick" can be rude and insulting, or raunchy and sexy, depending on the usage. "Vagina", "vulva", and "penis" can all be cold and clinical, or hot in the right context.

The line for me is any description of body parts that is ridiculous and grotesque. Those certainly have their uses, but in erotica, the effect for me is jarring and an immediate turn off. I especially detest descriptions that refer to meat -- pork swords, beef curtains, man sausage, tuna tacos, etc. *shudder* I'm not a vegetarian -- yet -- but those descriptions are just horribly unsexy and disgusting to me. But I'm sure for some, they are appealing and arousing.

 

[Weird Harold]

I think a good rule is to ask yourself "does it sound like coming from a frat boy?" If the answer is yes, ...

Next branch of the logic tree:

"Is the character a Frat boy or equivalent?"
If the answer is Yes, then "OK! Carry on."



Word choice should be appropriate to the character and/or mood the author is trying to depict. The confession of a serial killer should not sound like a Harvard Medical Student -- unless he/she/it is a Harvard Medical Student.

 

[Katiecat]

Next branch of the logic tree:

"Is the character a Frat boy or equivalent?"
If the answer is Yes, then "OK! Carry on."



Word choice should be appropriate to the character and/or mood the author is trying to depict. The confession of a serial killer should not sound like a Harvard Medical Student -- unless he/she/it is a Harvard Medical Student.

Character, mood, and culture or historical context, in many cases. I wrote a story set (vaguely) in 18th Century England, and the scene was between a highborn lady and a stableman, from his POV. Word choice was quite challenging at times, but the research was amusing and fun.