I said “multiple” in front of my 4 year old and he asked what it meant. I explained, “it can mean many, several, a lot, bunches” etc.
After explaining to him the meaning I realized— why do we have different words that practically mean the same thing?
In: Other
” **practically** the same thing” . That’ s your answer. No two words mean exactly 100% the same thing. Every word has an undertone, stylistic use, a time and a place. Every word can be used in a positive or negative light, to demean or praise, etc. And every word has a sub-sub-sub…. meaning, that one specific use, that another word just couldn’t do. Furthermore, the English language is heavily built on ready expressions, verb phrases, etc. A lot of the time only a specific word would fit in a given phrase. At that point, it isn’t just a word anymore, but that’s a discussion for another time. But remember – just because you as an everyday user don’t know the deeper meaning and difference of a word and consider it ” just a synonym” , doesn’t mean it doesn’t have these subtexts, added psychological, historical or societal connotations (which is what sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and other fields do). Hell, just by the way someone talks or which words they choose to use, you can tell their economic status, their heritage, where they spent their formative years, who their parents are,… All just by the use of certain words.
Sincerely,
a linguist and a teacher
Latest Answers