Off the Map

There are words whose rock-solid meanings we rely on as a culture.  The use of these words can be correct or incorrect, or maybe proper or improper.  Their meanings, when it comes down to it, aren’t a matter of interpretation–they are largely set and incontrovertible.  I call these words “stable words.”

What are examples of stable words?

“All” is a stable word.

It means “every.”  It means “total.”  “All” is a completely consuming word that stands for each and every item in a collection.  “All of the apples in the cart.”  “All of my classmates.”  “All of the universe.”

The meaning of “all” is not a matter of controversy–its meaning is agreed upon without argument.  “All” does not mean “most.”  “All” does not mean “a few.”  “I’ve done all of my homework” does not mean “I’ve done most of my homework.”  There is a difference between “all” and “most” because the meaning of “all” is set.  As is the meaning of “most.”  “Most” is also a stable word.  Its meaning is “more than 50%.”  It’s meaning is “not all, but relatively close to all.”

To say “I’ve done all of my homework” when you’ve only done most of your homework would be using the word “all” incorrectly or improperly.  Certainly we can and do say “all” when we truly mean “most,” but those are the kinds of uses of “all” that general semantics combats.  General semantics, arguably, tries to get people to speak correctly or properly with respect to stable words.

So what is an unstable word?  An unstable word’s meaning is a matter of interpretation.  Its meaning isn’t totally set.  It may be controversial.  It may not have a correct or proper use.

What are examples of unstable words?

“Liberty.”  Or “blue.”  Both of these are matters of interpretation.  Their meanings are arguable.  What’s liberty to you may not be liberty to me.  What’s blue to you may not be blue to me.  You have abundant poetic license to use these words.  Iran can use liberty, and so can the U.S.A.  The sky may be blue to you, but so may be the pool to you, when it is more “green” to me.

The stability of these words’ meanings has a consequence.  Stable words create stable arguments; unstable words create unstable arguments.  That is, stable words create arguments that can be correct or incorrect, proper or improper; unstable words create arguments that are matters of interpretation.  Until an unstable argument gets reformulated into a stable argument, there is no possibility for being correct or proper; being correct or proper will continually slip through fingers and cracks.

See also: absolutism, allness, argument, controvery, correctness, interpretation, meaning, propriety, stable-words, unstable-words