Not long
ago, within my not-so-distant memory, people used to talk. We’d chat. We’d have
discussions. And, curse of curses, hoity-toity folks would
dialogue.
Now, we have
“conversations.”
We used to
be asked for our two cents’ worth. Now, we’re asked to “join the conversation.”
Reporters used to conduct interviews. Now, they engage in “conversations” with
their subjects. Radio talk show hosts used to take calls. Now, they “invite
another voice into the conversation.” Internet discussion groups used to have
forums. Now, they have “conversations.” Even arguments and debates and
disagreements are “conversations.”
What is it
about the word “conversation”? How is it that it has wormed its way into so
many places in our language once described by perfectly good, and often more
precise, words?
I suspect
it’s because the people who use it think it sounds friendlier. And few people
can resist warm and fuzzy, even at the expense of clarity.
What do you
think? Let’s start the conversation about conversation.
