Magic words
Some words make more sense than others. They offer a little magic in every sentence you find them. My basic rule: they must “work well” under almost all conditions, and work here means they must make sense. In other words, they must help people know what you are saying and understand it as you say it.
Here are three of my top “magic words”:
STUFF
“Stuff” tops the chart of magic words. Use it wherever you would like in your next conversation and see what I mean. It calms things down at the same time it leaves lots of flexibility to let people fill in the gaps between your thoughts. Stuff is the ultimate one word sense maker for the English language.
THING
Thing also works real well. Particularly in the “thingie” or “thingy” form, this word solves lots of language ills (missing or inadequate description, simplification of a complex thought, etc.). It replaces longer, more complicated explanations of what something might be. With it, you get to the point and make it clear what you want to do with it or about it without worrying too much about exactly what “it” is.
GO
Verbs can be troubling. “Go” seems to escape much of the wonkiness placed on other more complex verbs. At one syllable, it packs a punch! When I think of it, it constantly comes back to me as the ultimate action statement. Simple, to the point, and almost invisible. Go!
Magic words are the building blocks of understanding. This is what I look for in mine:
1) one syllable
2) broadly defined
3) context friendly
4) well-received (they have a sense of humor, are well-manored, and leave little aftertaste)
5) hard-working (can be used over and over again without offense)
Have any “magic word” candidates of your own?