Friday, August 21, 2009

Two words that sound the same

When I was a little older than my kids now are, I loved trying to balance myself on the bricks that bordered the lawn and the flower beds. When I first started, I could barely go three bricks before losing my balance, but with practice, I learnt to walk the entire length of the driveway. It was something I never tired of in the five years that we lived in that house.
So when I encountered a similar brick border a few weeks back, I couldn’t resist having a go at it. The years have obviously given me a better sense of balance – after a few tries, I could do the entire length if I concentrated sufficiently on it.
“Gosh, sometimes you can be so childish”, someone exclaimed when it attempted it yet again.
“So what?”, I shot back. “If growing up means I have to give up these small pleasures, I’d rather remain a child forever.”

The word, however, continued to rankle. ‘Childish’ came loaded with so many negative connotations, I was not sure I wanted it describing something that had given me so much pleasure when I was a kid, and which continued to do so. And yet, it was the right word, wasn’t it?
Then I got it. Childish was not at the right word at all. Childish meant immature, juvenile. The word I was looking for was ‘Childlike’ – like a child .
Childlike harped back to simple, uncomplicated, not jaded – the words that perfectly expressed the glee I felt while balancing on those bricks.

When two words that sound so similar, and which are often (erroneously) used interchangeably, convey such different meanings, is it any wonder that adjectives are so popular?
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5 comments:

joe doaks-Author said...

What a great sense for the language. Very nice. The words ARE exactly as you described. Reminds me of the Mark Twain quote I’m sure you;ve heard a zillion times,…. “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” It’s an oldie, but, will always be true.

Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog

Gutsy Living said...

I think we forget to laugh and play like children do. I wish we did that more often. It's probably the best and least expensive thing we can do for our health. Great reminder.

Natasha said...

@Galen - Thanks for the kind words. And no, I haven't heard the quote before, but it is a brilliant one.

@Sonia - Isn't being a kid again the best thing that you can ever do?

dipali said...

What you say is so true. Childish is so loaded, childlike is charming.
Being around the young-at-heart of any age certainly appeals.

Jan Morrison said...

my inner child got out and now instead I have an inner adult. What to do? Play and create I think. Your blog is delightful!

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