American English is a rich
language. It’s always changing and evolving. New words and usages come and go.
Many that come along are helpful. They clarify, they improve, they enhance and
enrich.
But some are just plain
stupid.
They obfuscate, they
complicate, they confuse. They reveal a lack of understanding.
“Skill set” has become about
as ubiquitous as water.
One must ask why.
What does “skill set” offer
our language that isn’t covered by “skills” other than the fact that it adds a
syllable? And we all know how some people will never use one syllable when
two—or three—or four—will do. All those syllables make you sound smarter, don’t
they?
That question is easily
answered with a simple, one-syllable, two-letter word: no.
If you can think of a reason to use “skill
set” rather than “skills” let me know. The ability to change my mind is among
my skills—or is it within my skill set?
