American English is a rich language. It changes and evolves, and
words and usages come and go. Some clarify, improve, enhance, and enrich.
But some are just plain stupid.
They obfuscate, they complicate, they confuse. They don’t mean
what they say, or say what they mean. And they shoulder aside more appropriate
words.
One such word that has become ubiquitous over the past couple of
decades is “awesome.”
Now, “awesome” is a fine word with a very specific meaning. It
describes something that causes or induces awe; that inspires an overwhelming
feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear. Its roots lie in “awe,” a condition produced
by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.
But we toss “awesome” around in conversation to apply to anything
and everything we deem even mildly pleasant or agreeable. Stupid.
On the other hand, misuse of “awesome” has served to diminish the
use of “cool” and “incredible”—two likewise useless abuses of language. And I
suppose some would describe that eventuality as “awesome.”
