We’ve become so loose in the tongue that even the smallest of achievements have become epic. But what is epic? Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” are epic. Beowulf is epic. The design you saw last night on Dribbble is not epic. The new hot design conference you attended last month is not epic. But this is just the way I see it. Language has always adapted to each generation. But how long will the value of our words last when we start calling mediocrity epic?
Kyle Steed
Something I’m learning through my conversations with Carolyn Wood, a english genius, is to really value and weigh the price of each word I am using.
For instance, when trying to say that I was different than somebody, I would say that we were opposites, when in fact I really meant slightly different. NOT opposing.
We truly have to get back to our roots of english and explore correct use of language. That being said, humor and candid speech are another thing…
Agreed, if everything is epic, nothing is epic.
Yes. I have found myself over the last few weeks stopping before I speak and really choosing my words carefully. Where I might have described something as “awesome” before is now just “cool” or “neat”.
Very cool Kyle. I think I’ll do the same. Also, kudos for being willing to change. I’m tired of hearing “people don’t change” as I believe that they can if they want to.
Likewise. I am trying to choose more descriptive words rather than defaulting to “cool”, “nice”, etc. I find it more interesting when people elaborate on _why_ something is cool, so I’m trying to do the same.
Epic… I mean great post Kyle
we can truly dilute the true meaning/concept of something the more liberally we use it.
Fortunately the term “Rad” will never dilute due to it’s deep rooting in the 80′s where most everything had minimal true meaning.
With that… Rad post!
Always enjoy hearing your thoughts.
~ Aaron I
Rad comment man. Thanks. And might I add, you’re totally gnarly To The Max!
See? Humor and Candor always help usher in these sort of exaggerations and I for one love them. I think we just have to learn when to turn it on and when it is appropriate to use the correct words to describe something’s awesomeness or lack thereof.
Well I think we need to bring back “tubular.” Has much the same weight, or weightlessness, as “rad.”
So true!
I feel the same way about using the verb ‘fail’, as a noun. After a while, it just sounds ignorant.
Epic post, Kyle.
This post is #ToTheMax!!!
LOL!
Awesome, Fantastic, Epic and it goes on…. Just tell us what it is and we’ll decide how freaking whatever it is. The words are becoming meaningless especially when they are so often used with “okay” work….
Yes. Our words lose meaning the more that we associate them with things of little or no value. Not saying that we shouldn’t give praise to people for doing good work, or to give an encouraging word to someone who is making progress. I 100% believe in that. But what I’m saying is that we just need to think before we speak and choose our words carefully.
Couldn’t agree more, encouragement is good just keep it in context a little.
I’m thinking of all the articles that get banded around describing their content/insight so highly, its just all so overused.
Agreed.
If you posted something yesterday that was truly EPIC then with your own mental ranking system is this new article as EPIC as yesterdays?
Everything can’t be EPIC, so stop it before somebody gets hurt!
throw “Classic” in the ring too…
This is so very true. I also prefer to use very distinctly efficient words not only when writing, but speaking as well. I strive to use as few words as possible to convey a thought, and it bothers me when words are used improperly or carelessly.
However, like Rogie, sometimes I use words extremely for humor, but only on occasion.
I think humor is a great way to get your point across. But like everything else, should be used in moderation.
Your post reminded me of the word “maverick” being used over and over again during the 2008 elections.
Your post was certainly a good reminder to me to choose my words carefully. I’m foreign born Filipino-American so I still feel like I need work on my English and I’ve been here since I was 7. I also am every enthusiastic so I will default to “awesome” or “epic” for anything but. Time to tone it down a bit!
One other issue I have is when people start using text/chat speak outside of their intended medium (gah, is that the right word?).
Goodness, redundant much? XD
Yeah. I sometimes use text speak in normal conversation, but it’s always in a joking manner. I can never take myself seriously when saying “LOL” or “JK” or “OMG”.
Text speak anywhere else apart from texts- just looks and sounds odd to me : )
You are not alone (as you can see). I completely agree with you Kyle.
Rogie and I had been talking about this a couple weeks ago. I just felt inspired to put it out there for everyone else to read. I’m happy to read so many people are on the same level.
you are not alone.
I’ve used the word ‘epic’ myself the past few weeks but I completely agree with you Kyle and I’m probably more guilty than most when it comes to this. As you stated, some words begin to lose their original meaning because we use them inappropriately. Words like ‘epic’ and ‘awesome’ don’t carry as much weight as they once did. We slap these descriptors on something we may really like, but in reality they aren’t truly epic or awesome. Instead of using these words to show our enthusiasm, we should just say, “I really like this.” Great insight dude.
Great reminder post, Kyle. On the one hand, people are just trying to find a non-bland way to express admiration or compliment someone, and what are they going to say? “I find your work above average?”
Wow, thanks!
On the other hand, as others have alluded to, once everything is awesome, then nothing is, and after everyone is a “rockstar,” no one is anymore. We’re exposed to so much casual conversation (in which you usually don’t examine every word you say) via the web that we see a flood of “Awesome” every minute of the day. Hey, a hurricane is awesome, our galaxy is awesome, a baby being born is awesome, the view from a mountaintop is awesome. Compared to those things, calling a nicely done little button on a page or a new TV show “awesome” seems kind of silly. Our overuse of the word is changing its meaning to “above average” or “nice,” the very thing we wanted to avoid saying in the first place. LOL!
At least our hearts are, I think, in approximately the right place.
Usually we use these words to compliment or encourage someone or point them out to other people. I’d just like to put in a word for “cool,” though. Cool will always be cool. 
BTW, I’m like Rogie. Playing with words for humorous effect is in our blood. Exaggerating, twisting words, being playfully sarcastic or ironic, and, well, saying insane things, keeps us going and laughing. I’m not sure the two of us were born with an “OFF” button. But, in serious conversations (and possibly all discussions with your spouse, LOL) the practice of using words precisely is smart.
Tuning into deadening overuse or misuse of words is a great point, particularly on the web, where words are written, repeated, archived, Googled, retweeted, even when they were just said off the top of our heads.
This is an awesome problem of epic proportions.
Wow! This is an awesome comment of epic proportions (if I do say so myself). Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts here. I think we’re on the same page about being exposed to so much casual conversation on the internet everyday. I’m sure I am more so than the average person, but it’s still a problem. And I agree how you said using humor keeps us going and laughing. I know my wife and I like to say things that are completely absurd just to get a laugh out of the other. We can’t be so serious all the time, and I hope I didn’t come off that way here. My main goal here was to make us think before we speak.
no, everything is cute or ew.
Oh, your post was great! I just wanted to take a paragraph to support Rogie’s sort of side note reminder that in addition to being careful about using the right words (which are important in building and maintaining relationships as well as conveying ideas), there are times to throw all that out the window and just be goofy. I thought you had an important point and agree. You “came off” just fine!
Yes, you are right Kyle. Also on Dribbble, Facebook, LoveDSGN, and I’m sure others, use the term “Like” to attach to things we like. And every once in a while you’ll see a comment like this:
“Man, I don’t like this, I LOVE it!”
So then, what’s next? Put a “Love” button? It’s more about the good ole ‘one-up,’ nowadays and less about using correct words to describe thoughts and feelings.
On a side-note, this is also happening in Church. I have heard so many teachers and preachers using words that grossly exaggerate certain aspects of faith. And on the flip-side of that idea is when I hear a song like “Awesome God,” those words don’t have the same impact as they used to.
Maybe it should be “Epic God” or “Gargantuan God” or maybe “Beast Mode God.”
I also feel the same way about exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(!)
Yeah, man, God is truly out-of-sight, and I do mean that.
It seems like many of us are starting to pay more attention to our words. I am a consultant, and I deal with lots of legal documents. I work hard to read and write as precise as possible. This has also helped my Bible reading and study. What is being said, and just as important, what is not being said.