Skunked by Poorly Chosen Words PDF Print E-mail

Article by Jorg Largent, co-editor

A family game of Trivial Pursuit illustrates the importance of using words correctly and of making certain everyone on the team understands the meaning of the words used. The question: “Who is the smelliest member of the weasel family?” The young child tentatively guessed: “The mommy?”

This story illustrates three points with respect to choosing and using words:

  • The antecedent of the word “who” is a person. The word was misused, but the child heard it as if it had been used correctly. 
  • The child had not taken biology yet, so she did not understand that the word “family,” when used in this context, referred to a group of animals.
  • If you think you know all the words and you think you know the answer, but, when they are put together, they don’t make sense — start asking questions! 

Lesson to be learned: Be thoughtful when choosing your words and be sure that people understand the words you are using.