Sturdy Words
Interesting and Notable Vocabulary and Concepts
Introduction
Like many, I used to underline unknown and interesting words as I found them in whatever I was reading. And then maybe note the definition in the margin. The problem was, whether I remembered them or not, that was the end of it. So at some point I started collecting them. First in a notebook. And then using the Apple Notes app. Handy because it was always conveniently available to me. But my collection outgrew that method, and I needed more editing capability; so I moved it to a word processor. And now I share it here online.
The benefit of a collection such as this is that I am much more likely to refer back to entries. And I can add to and comment on entries over time. I can compare similar entries with their so important subtle differences. I can record multiple entries for subject matter I am trying to understand.
The words and concepts entered here are not necessarily unusual or complex. In fact, some are rather common and simple. But they are items that I have found interesting or useful in some way. Or, that I merely want to use more often. Many are just good sturdy words previously unknown to me. My entries may not include every definition of a word. Rather, I include only the definition or definitions that suit my interest. Likewise, my entries may or may not reference the primary definition of a particular word. Also, while this started off as a list of Hemingwayesque sturdy words, I have since added interesting terms of a decidedly non-sturdy variety. Like the lovely Japanese word, komorebi.
Now, the world does not need another dictionary. This collection is truly for my personal use. These are my words; my own personal lexicon. If you are reading this, you may well have your own collection. Whether or not you have committed it to paper does not matter. What’s interesting is that we probably share some words. And even more interesting is that our respective definitions and entries may or may not match.
sturdy (adjective)
Firmly built or constituted; stout. Hardy. Sound in design or execution; substantial. Marked by or reflecting physical strength or vigor. Firm, resolute. Rugged, stable.
From: Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 1983.
Sturdy Words
Strong, sturdy words, robust and healthful, with muscles like the village blacksmith; words that are big, brave, and honest; that ring as the hammer on the anvil.
Harry Varley, Words — Willing Tools of the Advertising Man, in Printers’ Ink, 1919.
Once upon a time words were magnificent laborers. Climbing in and out of obscure mines they hauled sharply pointed quarry from interior shadows to the bright light of the town square. The words rode around on beautiful little tracks called sentences, that snaked in and out of places no one knew how to visit otherwise. People came to admire, to find solace in, to love these sturdy words and all they carefully and skillfully carried.
Peggy Phelan, Mourning Sex: Performing public memories, Routledge, 1997.
Like many, I used to underline unknown and interesting words as I found them in whatever I was reading. And then maybe note the definition in the margin. The problem was, whether I remembered them or not, that was the end of it. So at some point I started collecting them. First in a notebook. And then using the Apple Notes app. Handy because it was always conveniently available to me. But my collection outgrew that method, and I needed more editing capability; so I moved it to a word processor. And now I share it here online.
The benefit of a collection such as this is that I am much more likely to refer back to entries. And I can add to and comment on entries over time. I can compare similar entries with their so important subtle differences. I can record multiple entries for subject matter I am trying to understand.
The words and concepts entered here are not necessarily unusual or complex. In fact, some are rather common and simple. But they are items that I have found interesting or useful in some way. Or, that I merely want to use more often. Many are just good sturdy words previously unknown to me. My entries may not include every definition of a word. Rather, I include only the definition or definitions that suit my interest. Likewise, my entries may or may not reference the primary definition of a particular word. Also, while this started off as a list of Hemingwayesque sturdy words, I have since added interesting terms of a decidedly non-sturdy variety. Like the lovely Japanese word, komorebi.
Now, the world does not need another dictionary. This collection is truly for my personal use. These are my words; my own personal lexicon. If you are reading this, you may well have your own collection. Whether or not you have committed it to paper does not matter. What’s interesting is that we probably share some words. And even more interesting is that our respective definitions and entries may or may not match.
Finally, after a while, I noticed the addition of words that I really don't much like. Words like inshallah, islamophobia, holding space, and cisgender. I find these terms abhorrent and interesting at the same time. Conceptually abhorrent. Yet interesting, I think, because of what they say about a person who would use them.
Other than my personal annotations, only a few of these definitions are my own. Most come from online sources, which I have noted for each entry and listed in Sources.
Other than my personal annotations, only a few of these definitions are my own. Most come from online sources, which I have noted for each entry and listed in Sources.
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