The meaning of words

When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

Hello everyone who has found their way to this blog.

These days it seems more and more things that were once considered common sense are no longer seen this way.  It's a new world, so I am naming my blog Uncommon Sense, to reflect this change. 

Not too long ago words had objective meaning.  In this new world, words can be far more subjective than they have ever been before.  Take for example, microaggressions, which are mostly subjective, that are now a part of University campus life.  Words have always been powerful weapons, used to heal or hurt, but the use of the term microaggression has taken this to an "Alice In Wonderland" level.  Someone might feel hurt because of the racist or sexist implications of their words, even if that is unintentional.  One recent example is saying that America is a melting pot, commonly considered something positive about our nation, which now takes on negative meanings because use of the term melting pot denies the value of individual races and cultures.  Sadly, if someone fears speaking or sharing ideas because those ideas might unintentionally hurt another, then the exchange of ideas becomes impossible.  Uncommon sense because the exchange of ideas is what higher education is supposed to be all about. 

Tracing how the meaning of words came to depend on subjective reactions to them, as well as how other examples of uncommon sense came into being will be the subject of this blog.  As always I look forward to your reactions and insights.  

Talk to you soon.