Jack Averty: We really should use words correctly
A crippling obsession with social media, a mutual malevolence towards the Tories and the ridiculous amounts spent on soy cinnamon lattes with sprinkles are just some of the things us young folk are guilty of.
But perhaps the biggest crime of them all is our use of the English language – or rather the lack of it.
Rappers may be spitting rhymes about ‘peng girls’ and ‘tings’ going ‘skrrrrahhh’ (for those totally bewildered right now, give Big Shaq a Google), but that doesn’t mean we need to start demanding Latin be taught in public schools and for Oxford Dictionary translations be read on the radio after every song – but perhaps we do need to start thinking slightly more carefully about our vocabulary.
Take, for example, the word hero. How many times a day do we call, or hear other people call, someone a hero?
Most of the time it’s for the most mundane of reasons: ‘Thanks for getting me that steak bake from Greggs mate, you really are a hero.’ Or: ‘Our boss is an absolute hero for giving us that pay rise’ (we wish).
But neither of the people in these scenarios are heroes. While overusing the word may not seem that much of a crime, the problem is it waters down its true meaning.
A hero, as defined by the dictionary, is ‘a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities’.
For this, look no further than the likes of Cyrille Regis and Pc Jemma Follows.
It has been a heavy week of news across the region, but these in particular stood out.
