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.
Think about “proactive.”
I was surprised to learn that
it has been around, in a limited way, for a long, long time. Fortunately, no
one used it much until, say, 30 or so years ago. Since then, it has become one
of the most overused words in our language. Not only in business circles, where
made-up trendy buzzwords often find a home, but by regular folks, as well.
It’s supposed to mean the
opposite of “react” or “reactive.” Apparently, no one stops to think that those
words are opposites of perfectly good words—act and active—so don’t really need
an opposite themselves.
If “active” doesn’t seem to
fit, try “aggressive” or “concerted” or “determined” or “resolute” or “take the
initiative.” We could go on.
Whatever words you choose to
describe an active approach to something, there’s no point, really, in
resorting to a stupid, meaningless, but apparently important-sounding (to some)
word such as “proactive.”
Therefore, I will be
proactive in my efforts to eliminate it.
