I have always prided myself on having a decent vocabulary, but I am with you, I had no idea what that was.
“Graupel”. Soon to be added to the dictonary of “Climate Change”, “Polar Vortex”, and a host of others.
I love language. Words have meaning. And sometimes, though there are many different words that can somewhat describe a single thing, often, there is only one word that describes it perfectly. When writing, using that one word is gratifying, though as I get older, sometimes I have to hunt around in my head for that word.
I do not like it when there is a perfectly good, well understood word that is superseded by a new word in culture that is intentionally meant to carry emotional or ideological baggage.
I dislike it as much as someone who uses specific words to try to convey just how intelligent they want you to believe they are.
Remember back when there were cold fronts? Now, it’s a “blast of cold air” to emphasize it’s temporary nature. That’s one they have worked in over the past decade with great success.
I'm with you on that point. My favorite quote by Mark Twain has always been, "Don't use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do."
“Graupel” has been around forever and is familiar to people living in snow country. This is one word that isn’t a new-age, warmist concoction.
I “hear” you, loud and clear!
Words DO “mean things”, and that’s why I CRINGE every time I hear someone on TV use the word “democratic” in conjunction with what a member of the Democrat party does or says.
They are NOT “democratic”—but “autocratic”, and even Communistic!
Plus, have you EVER heard someone on TV use the word “republicanic” to describe the words or actions of a member of the Republican party?
This is exactly the second time I have seen the word, both pertaining to storms this season.