How to Enjoy Words

Still suffering under the scare tactics we were exposed to as youth--telling us the only way to succeed in life was to improve our vocabularies? I will share how I managed to carve out an interest in words in spite of the old trauma.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good up-to-date dictionary. Maybe an older dictionary for looking up words that did not make the cut in the new version. There is only so much space!

1. Find a small looseleaf note book at an office supply store. Buy extra paper for it. Buy the organizers tabbed with letters of the alphabet.

2. When you come across a word you do not know, write it on a page, filed under the appropriate letter of the alphabet, and underline it. Include the phrase in which it appears. Leave space for a definition to be added later. You most likely will not want to interrupt your reading for now.

3. Some time at your leisure, look up the word in the dictionary or on your computer and write down the meaning--the one that seems to apply.

Tips & Warnings

• I imagine a person has to be a reader to be interested in words. Perhaps one could also pick up new words if brushing elbows with doctoral candidates, which I am not at present. I just ran across the word 'barmbrack' in a western book I was reading. I thought I had heard the word before, but was not sure of the meaning. The westerns tie in with my interest in old-time matters, especially regarding food. I will leave you to speculate as to the reasons for this.
• I looked in every dictionary I could find in the house. I found the word 'barm,' but not a longer version. However, I gained a clue that barm has to do with the frothy foam rising from fermented malt liquors, or what is known as brewers' yeast. I gathered from the context in which I discovered this word that barmbrack was a type of bread served in antebellum days. My research led me to believe that it was yeast bread.
• At this point, one can see that when I am interested in a word, I derive what I can from the context in which it appears, look it up, and go on to make further deductions. We mostly all had this pounded into us in grade school. Perhaps that is why we resist looking up a word until absolutely necessary.
• Sometimes when we guess the meaning of a word from the context, we miss the mark. For a long time I thought the word 'baleful' meant mournful. I have since discovered that it is a much stronger word, closer to 'maleficent,' which, you have to admit, is a pretty scary word. 'Baleful' is used in western books when the good guy confronts the bad guy and receives a baleful glare back.
• You must have noticed that every genre has its own vocabulary. This would be a good reason to occasionally slip the leash of your pet interests and try reading outside your usual dog run. If you are into mysteries, try reading a spy novel, a western or whatever you happen to pick up. I realize that most men would not read romance books, and in turn, many women would not read books containing the violence in some books favored by men.
• However, if you can work up the courage to try reading in a new genre, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with the plethora of new words you will encounter. The more words you know, the more you can express yourself. You will become more fluent. I do not know if this will translate into more currency for your pocketbook, but I do hope you will learn to enjoy words!
• If you meet someone who, like yourself, owns one of those eight -inch high dictionaries like the ones libraries have, you may have met your soul mate!

[kjv4thee]

on 2/15/2008 I don't read much, but for some reason I love words. I'll buy any ( preferably old ) dictionary that I can find. I have over twenty. The older ones I like the best. To me it's . . . what is being said? what is the person that wrote this really saying. There are many beautiful words in our old King James Bible, maybe this is why I love words so much. Words to me are important. Simple words, powerful words, It is interesting that the gospel of John starts with " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Thank you for a great article.

[reereerenita]

on 2/13/2008 I need to get a dictionary. I just started my own Famiy Childcare business and I feel that it really shows that I dont have a strong vocabulary. I think this really will help me. Thanks!

[Karenc1972]

on 1/10/2008 Fantastic article! It's all too easy to just guess the meaning of words - which can lead to misinterpreting the author's meaning. Online you can build your word power by using sites such as www.dictionary.com and subscribing to their 'word of the day' service. Thanks for your article!