Words (was: Harry's protection)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 113161

Carol asked:
> > I wonder if "wonderful" means what we Americans usually use it to 
> > mean, something really, really good...

Sylvia: 
> I would refer her to Terry Pratchett's "Lords and Ladies". Writing 
> about how words have degenerated, he says:
> Elves are wonderful.  They provoke wonder.
> Elves are marvellous.  They cause marvels
> Elves are fantastic.  They create fantasies.
> Elves are glamorous.  They project glamour.
> Elves are enchanting.  They weave enchantment.
> Elves are terrific.  They beget terror.
> 
> The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, 
> and if you want to find snakes, look for them behind words that 
> have changed their meaning.
> No-one ever said elves are nice.
> Elves are bad
> 
> Terry Pratchett - "Lords and Ladies"
> 
> So it may be quite possible that Dumbledore's understanding of the 
> word "wonderful" may be somewhat different from the meaning we (on 
> both sides of the pond) now attach to it
> 
> Sylvia (who has to admit that though Pratchett's elves are nasty 
> people, they are the essence of cool).


SSSusan:
I would agree with Sylvia.  As Carol wondered about "wonderful" and 
as I read Sylvia's response, I kept thinking about Ollivander's 
comment about Voldy:  that he had done "great" things - "terrible, 
but great." 

I got into a HUGE "shouting match" on another list over that use 
of "great" by Ollivander and equating it to describing Hitler.  
Horrible leaders can still do "great" things, as in "remarkable in 
magnitude, degree, or effectiveness" [Merriam-Webster, 3rd 
definition].  The things Hitler accomplished were "great" in that 
sense, though his methods were heinous and the consequences were 
beyond horrifying.  

Words such as "great" and "wonderful," Sylvia is right, are ones we 
should probably attend to.

Siriusly Snapey Susan