Using the correct word

[SuzySteve]

Are there any guidelines for choosing the right word at a spot where many words could be used?
Such as "stiff" and "rigid" mean the same thing, but should they be used at specific points depending on context or mood of the story at that time...

 

[logophile]

Are there any guidelines for choosing the right word at a spot where many words could be used?
Such as "stiff" and "rigid" mean the same thing, but should they be used at specific points depending on context or mood of the story at that time...

Not that I know of. I typically read it out loud both ways in context and go from there...

 

[brightlyiburn]

Are there any guidelines for choosing the right word at a spot where many words could be used?
Such as "stiff" and "rigid" mean the same thing, but should they be used at specific points depending on context or mood of the story at that time...

It's really just what you're trying to achieve. Or sometimes if you've already used one of those words in a paragraph, you can use the other.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Are there any guidelines for choosing the right word at a spot where many words could be used?
Such as "stiff" and "rigid" mean the same thing, but should they be used at specific points depending on context or mood of the story at that time...

I sometimes refer to nipples as being "rigid" but I don't think I have ever called them "stiff."

Otherwise, just avoid repeating the same word too often. A thesaurus would help, or maybe just a dictionary.

By the way, last year I wrote a story about a brother and sister named Susan and Steve. Both of them have appeared in other stories of mine also.

 

[Op_Cit]

Actually, yes there are rules.

Here's how it works:

1. First, always use the word with fewer vowels.

2. If both have the same number of vowels, then use the one with more letters.

3. Unless it begins with a "t", "q", or "l", in which case:

4. Those words derived from greek should always take precedence over latin and french. However, germanic root words should always dominate.

5. If origins are oriental then that word should be used in place of all others. Unless it has exactly three consonants or rhymes with "orange".

6. If, however, the word is being used to describe a passive action not undertaken by any of the primary characters in the story, always use slang.

7. Now at this point is where the experts seem to disagree: If the word is to be used as a noun, some will say to leave it lower case while others insist a proper name should be used whereever possible.

8. Rule 8 was abolished years ago.

9. If there is still some ambiguity at this point, say "fuck it" and use the one that sounds the best.

Hope this helps...

---
(Sorry, I couldn't possibly resist this one. For good measure we should probably sack the moderator once more.)

 

[DrFreud]

Actually, yes there are rules.

Here's how it works:

1. First, always use the word with fewer vowels.

2. If both have the same number of vowels, then use the one with more letters.

3. Unless it begins with a "t", "q", or "l", in which case:

4. Those words derived from greek should always take precedence over latin and french. However, germanic root words should always dominate.

5. If origins are oriental then that word should be used in place of all others. Unless it has exactly three consonants or rhymes with "orange".

6. If, however, the word is being used to describe a passive action not undertaken by any of the primary characters in the story, always use slang.

7. Now at this point is where the experts seem to disagree: If the word is to be used as a noun, some will say to leave it lower case while others insist a proper name should be used whereever possible.

8. Rule 8 was abolished years ago.

9. If there is still some ambiguity at this point, say "fuck it" and use the one that sounds the best.

Hope this helps...

---
(Sorry, I couldn't possibly resist this one. For good measure we should probably sack the moderator once more.)

No one told me that Rule 8 was abolished! ::

DrF

 

[pop_54]

No one told me that Rule 8 was abolished! ::

DrF

Same as Dr I been using rule 8 for bloody ages.

 

[Op_Cit]

No one told me that Rule 8 was abolished! ::

DrF

Yes, well, you remember all the controversy it created. Breeders of cairn terriers and numistmatists still won't talk to each other. I, for one, think we're better off, though at times it causes me great pain.

I sympathize.

 

[Guest]

Same as Dr I been using rule 8 for bloody ages.

It works for me, love. Don't stop. P.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

Suppression of Rule #8 has caused the collapse of English Literature.

 

[neonlyte]

Suppression of Rule #8 has caused the collapse of English Literature.

Yes. But it turned Welsh Literature around.




On the serious point, a rigid object may be rigid until it goes limp, you have to work to get it stiff again.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I have always followed Rule 8 and I will continue to do so, even though it is not required. I believe it makes for much better and more intelligible dialogue.

 

[Op_Cit]

I have always followed Rule 8 and I will continue to do so, even though it is not required. I believe it makes for much better and more intelligible dialogue.

Blantant disregard for the orderly modification and removal of rules once essential can only lead to chaos. (Just look what happend to Russian Poetry and various species of Central American nomadic beavers.)

Continued flauting of the disestablishment of Rule 8 can only lead to abominations, ice cream invention reinactments, and a sharp increase in internet forum polls.

People don't just make these things up: Rules are taken down for a reason.

And I'm pretty sure your continued use of #8 is the reason your banana is not currently dancing in my browser.

 

[Guest]

Blantant disregard for the orderly modification and removal of rules once essential can only lead to chaos. (Just look what happend to Russian Poetry and various species of Central American nomadic beavers.)

Continued flauting of the disestablishment of Rule 8 can only lead to abominations, ice cream invention reinactments, and a sharp increase in internet forum polls.

People don't just make these things up: Rules are taken down for a reason.

And I'm pretty sure your continued use of #8 is the reason your banana is not currently dancing in my browser.

Yeah, the selfish bastard buggered up my dancing 'nana, too.

Box, for the sake of all that is sacred, quit using Rule 8, post haste!

Tatie-Loulou

 

[neonlyte]

Rule 8 leads to language abominations.

For example English settlers in New Zealand, emigrants before Rule 8 was abolished have educated Maoris to use Rule 8 resulting in the following:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu , when the unembroidered phrase would work perfectly well. "The brow of the hill where Tamatea, with the bony knees, who slid and climbed mountains, the great traveller, sat and played on the flute to his beloved"

I suspect boxlickers banana is 'stiff' or 'rigid'.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

. . . I suspect boxlickers banana is 'stiff' or 'rigid'.

I doubt it.

Any stiff Nana that I ever encountered was doing a little Jig.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Rule 8 leads to language abominations.

For example English settlers in New Zealand, emigrants before Rule 8 was abolished have educated Maoris to use Rule 8 resulting in the following:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu , when the unembroidered phrase would work perfectly well. "The brow of the hill where Tamatea, with the bony knees, who slid and climbed mountains, the great traveller, sat and played on the flute to his beloved"

I suspect boxlickers banana is 'stiff' or 'rigid'.

Although it is true that overzealous enforcement of Rule #8 did lead to some serious problems, especially in its impact on the language structures of peoples from Polynesia and neighboring areas, it was, generally speaking of great value in maintaining the integrity of certain literary forms, such as Russian poetry. Furthermore, anybody can see how the elimination of Rule #8 has resulted in the proliferation of polls on this forum, some of them having nothing to do with our literary endeavors. So there.

My banana is neither stiff nor rigid just now but it might become so it I go back to more writing and less posting.

 

[Guest]

My banana is neither stiff nor ridid just now but it might become so it I go back to more writing and less posting.

Just please don't use it as your AV.

Perdita

 

[Op_Cit]

I suspect boxlickers banana is 'stiff' or 'rigid'.

Yes, I suppose you're right...

Calling it a "placid banana" carries too much sexual overtones, and while "erect" is not nearly specific enough, it is much too unwieldy to say "up until recently dancing banana". This may signal the need for a new rule.

But what's the use if 8 will not die?

 

[oggbashan]

By decree of the current European Commissioner Rule 8 has been renumbered as Rule 69 and can only be applied between two consenting adults of either gender, race or religion and if not applied when appropriate one of the couple who should have applied it can apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction forcing the other member of the couple to apply Rule 69 unless so doing might infringe the human rights of either one of the couple or might distress any equine quadrupeds who might or might not be in the vicinity.

See Directives 49/7483/2002 section 8 subsection 8.4.3.1 and 67/4028/2003 section 16 subsection 16.6 unless one or both of the parties is French in which case Rule 69 does not apply until the Common Agricultural Policy is reformed.

Og

 

[Weird Harold]

Are there any guidelines for choosing the right word at a spot where many words could be used?
Such as "stiff" and "rigid" mean the same thing, but should they be used at specific points depending on context or mood of the story at that time...

All silliness about canceled rules aside, you have to consider the connotations associated with a word that aren't really part of the definition.

Stiff and Rigid are very similar terms that mean roughly the same thing, but Rigid is "stiffer" that Stiff. Rigid implies "completely unbending" while Stiff only suggests "resistant to bending" -- you want to whip cream or egg-whites until they're Stiff, but nobody would be able to eat your dessert if your meringue or whipped cream is Rigid.

According to their definitions, Handsome and Beautiful mean the same thing, but one is generally applied to men and the other to women. It's not wrong to describe a man as beautiful, but it suggests an effeminate kind of attractiveness. Likewise, a "Handsome Woman" implies a woman who is something short of "beautiful" or a masculine sort of attractiveness.

Words are used differently in different regions and by different classes of people, so who and where your story is about makes a difference in which words you choose. In some contexts, Adorable is just an upper-class rendition of Cute; in other contexts, either "Adorable" or "Cute" can be insults.

Most of the time, it doesn't really make much difference which word you use when you have two or more choices, but in some cases, the subtle differences in connotation can make a big difference.

"Political Correctness" is the concept of "proper word choice" taken to extremes, but there is a tiny core of good sense in choosing words that offend or do not offend based on their accumulated connotations and your desire to give offense or not. Some words have perfectly innocuous definitions but have historical associations that make them derogatory or "dirty" or "unsuitable for mixed company." Using those "loaded" words based soley on their innocuous definitions can give an impression youdon't intend.

 

[neonlyte]

By decree of the current European Commissioner Rule 8 has been renumbered as Rule 69 and can only be applied between two consenting adults of either gender, race or religion and if not applied when appropriate one of the couple who should have applied it can apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction forcing the other member of the couple to apply Rule 69 unless so doing might infringe the human rights of either one of the couple or might distress any equine quadrupeds who might or might not be in the vicinity.

See Directives 49/7483/2002 section 8 subsection 8.4.3.1 and 67/4028/2003 section 16 subsection 16.6 unless one or both of the parties is French in which case Rule 69 does not apply until the Common Agricultural Policy is reformed.

Og

That's all very well Ogg but it still doesn't get the banana off the hook - worst still it wouldn't even apply in Wales, there is no Welsh word for banana. in a fruit shop in Carmarthen your'd ask "Oes banana gyda ti?"Whilst this conforms with Rule 7, it serious ignore 2 & 4, quite apart from being a limp slap in the face over Rule 8. Matters further complicated if the enquiry is made by a French citizen in view of Directives 49/7483/2002 section 8 subsection 8.4.3.1 and 67/4028/2003 section 16 subsection 16.6

 

[Boxlicker101]

That's all very well Ogg but it still doesn't get the banana off the hook - worst still it wouldn't even apply in Wales, there is no Welsh word for banana. in a fruit shop in Carmarthen your'd ask "Oes banana gyda ti?"Whilst this conforms with Rule 7, it serious ignore 2 & 4, quite apart from being a limp slap in the face over Rule 8. Matters further complicated if the enquiry is made by a French citizen in view of Directives 49/7483/2002 section 8 subsection 8.4.3.1 and 67/4028/2003 section 16 subsection 16.6

Plus, you must remember that bananas, when combined with oysters or other shellfish in a month without an "R" are considered inedible, and may even be poisonous.