Choice of Words

Is there a science in choosing words? We choose words in an effort to ‘fit in’. Sounding odd is a sure way to be left out. The audience decides the choice of our words. That’s the reason we don’t care about political correctness while writing on napkins. One fundamental truth I reheard recently: Words have meaning. So why not promote the words which give the better meaning. Why not choose clarity over correctness. Now for the question: when you need directions (yep, we need directions all the time), which word would you use: would you ask for the ‘toilet’ or the ‘restroom’? Apart from how these words sound and how they are perceived, do their hidden imports affect their usage? Some toil, some rest.