There Is No Law Against Being A Sesquipedalian

Loyal readers know that I am a sesquipedalian and a wordsmith. I don't try to hide it. There are no laws against it. I have never attended any marches or demonstrations crying out for my rights in the matter. When I say it most people respond with quizzical looks and a smirk. One wisenheimer said, "You know there are shots and treatment for that now," when I said it. That means I use large words to express meaning and I have a high interest in how to use language in a more effective way.

People say we speak English. I disagree. Our base language is English but we have a multitude of words from so many other languages embedded within our language that we really speak English+ or American.

Words and their meaning and use intrigue me. For example one must paint a wall before he can repaint that same wall. I understand that. Then how does one repent if he has never "pented?" One must charge a battery before one can recharge that battery. That is clear to me. Does one have to be "cluse" before he can become a recluse? Think about it. I have known people and have often read of others who lived a seemingly normal life but over time they changed and are now described as a recluse. How does that happen? If that is true you and I must describe and call ourselves "cluse." If not why not? I used a word earlier that demonstrates my chagrin. Respond. Doesn't one have to 'spond' before he can respond?

We have an appliance in our kitchen that is called a refrigerator. You have one also. It is cold and keeps food items cold when placed inside it. [I wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg.] If this appliance refrigerates one must assume that you cannot place an item inside it that has not be "frigerated" because this appliance refrigerates. It does not "frigerate." Get it?

Example: When I ask for a refund I expect to have money returned to me that I used to "fund" a purchase or a service. Ergo I can ask for it to be returned to me as a refund. Why doesn't "re" mean the same in refrigeration?

We have three or four coolers. Most have beards longer than Crystal Gayle's hair. Why are those containers called coolers? The truth is if you put a cooked ham inside a cooler over time it will become warmer; after the ice melts the temperature will rise. Shouldn't it then be called a warmer because items become warmer? I have known people who have used that item as a hotter. They have place a hot casserole dish in it to keep it hot. Truth be told over time the casserole will cool, therefore it should be called a cooler. Why not?

We ask that device to keep items cool or warm. How does it know the difference? That makes me all swimmy headed Mr. Dillon.

Vandeventer grew up North of Calvertville on a farm and graduated from Worthington High School and Indiana State U. -- four times. He can be reached at Goosecrick@aol.com or 317-839-7656.