Thursday, July 25, 2024

Literally

For all you fans of semantics, the word "normalize" has become normalized to mean something else.  I bet it did not see that one coming.

People use it as a way to sound cool while randomly scolding everyone about our societal standards, so it's got like twice the fun, which is pretty hard to beat.  "We need to normalize this behavior!" they might say.  What normalize really means is to adapt an anomaly to fit within a standard; change it so it fits within a defined structure.  That's the opposite of what people want it to mean.  If you want to change the defined structure, that's reform.  

It doesn't mean "make normal" any more than disingenuous means "not genuine" or any more than unctuous means "tasty and decadent."  But don't let that stop you.  The simple fact is a word should mean whatever you think it means.  Or if you really want to get technical, whatever it sounds like it means.

Oh I’m just trying to be really wacky and zany.  You know - supercilious.  Have a great day my vestigial friends!

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