May I have a word about… words that make us squirm
It’s odd what makes people squeamish. A recent report from the Royal Society’s <Italic> Philosophical Transactions B</Italic> journal listed various things that turned stomachs. These include poor hygiene, rats, cockroaches, sores and signs of infection and rotten food. All perfectly understandable, although why a manky tomato should actually occasion disgust is slightly beyond me.
For some other people, words can cause just as violent a reaction. I remember a subeditor on another paper who would blench at the mere mention of the word “trousers”. It seemed to induce in him an almost physical pain and he would implore his colleagues never, ever to use that word again. Bad mistake – every time he stepped out of line, such as coming into the office and trying to work with a broken arm, the dreaded “T” word would be uttered and his sang-froid shattered. Another workmate came over all unnecessary if the word “belly” was said in her hearing. Mind you, she was also revolted by “moist” and “wet wipes”, so perhaps she didn’t have the strongest of backbones. Another colleague comes over all nauseous at the word “supper”. Mmm.
For others, the revulsion is not physical but intellectual. My wife, normally a most equable woman, cannot abide the misuse of the word feisty, especially in conjunction with “heroine”. (I’ll gloss over feisty alligator in Florida that butted a trapper in an escape attempt, and footballer Paul Pogba’s feisty interview.) As she delights in pointing out, feisty derives from the Old English fisting – breaking wind. Given its flatulent connotations, perhaps people should be on their guard when using it in the future.
As for my betes noires, well, that would be telling...