As we enter a new year I've decided on a new category for blogs here at tohu va bohu: fun with words. Words are our friends. Words have meaning. Words are necessary for precision in communication. Blogging itself is a medium that requires words (I mean, even Purgaturio uses words to introduce and string together his picture posts). So without further ado, I begin with one of my recent favorite words.banal
definition
adjective 1: obvious and dull; so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring; common in a boring way, to the point of being predictable; containing nothing new or fresh; 2: repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
synonyms
commonplace, dull, everyday, hackneyed, ordinary, overused, tired, trite, trivial
antonyms
new, original
an example of usage
The main problem with TV is not how much smut is available, though that is a problem. Just the ads are enough to sow fertile seeds of greed and lust, no matter what program you're watching. The greater problem is banality. A mind fed daily on TV diminishes. Your mind was made to know and love God. Its facility for this great calling is ruined by excessive TV. The content is so trivial and so shallow that the capacity of the mind to think worthy thoughts withers, and the capacity of the heart to feel deep emotions shrivels. (Piper, When I Don't Desire God, 120)my application
Of course the opposite of banal is God Himself, who is the most original, least obvious, and never boring. So my life as a God knower and lover should be the furthest thing from banal.
As this new year begins, may my thoughts and affections, and their overflow into conversations and blogging, be less and less banal.
tohu va bohu tag: fun with words
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Hey, banal has been one of my favorite words ever since my friend Joy's husband used it to describe all the girls at Cedarville other than Joy. What I thought was funny was that there was at least a handful of other girls from Cedarville in the room at the time, uh, including me. Just thought I'd share. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy this funky fresh word, as well. Happy new year.
Drunken Monkey, thanks for the non-banal comment props. Happy New Year to you as well from all in our house here in WA.
banal. :) i like less banal. what ever happened to Goggosmu(at)aol.com? did that address leave the void?
hey I like this, I get to learn a new word every day now from your blog! cool!
Well, it certainly won't be a new word every day. I would be happy for a new word every week. I seem to have difficulty keeping up with regular writing and completing series. Nevertheless, you might think that finding a word and giving its definition should be something even I could handle on a somewhat consistent basis.