LL-L "Semantics" 2005.05.22 (06) [E]

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From: Ben J. Bloomgren <godsquad at cox.net>
Subject: LL-L "Education" 2005.05.21 (05) [E]

"Exciting, to use an American term..."

Ron, that is an Americanism to say that something like that is exciting?
What do they use across the salty pond?

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Semantics

Hi again, Ben!

English speakers from other parts probably already know the answer.

"Exciting" can certainly be used in pretty much all English dialects, but
what to others must seem like its over-use is an American English
phenomenon, one of those inflated, over-blown terms.

Listen for the frequency of "exciting" around you and in the media.
Everything good and pleasing is "exciting," so much so that "exciting" is a
catch-all term and is very often quite meaningless, and you are at a loss
for words when you really mean "exciting."  Lots of people say things like
"It's exciting" or "How exciting for you!" with bored faces, anything *but*
excited.  "Exciting" is often used just as a pleasantry to be agreeable, to
humor someone, something like "Nice for you/them ...."

"What are you guys going to do over the weekend?"
"Oh, we'll make some popcorn and watch a couple of oldies."
"Exciting!"

Really? Not just "nice," or "great" at most?

"Bob said he's going to go through the budget details with us over lunch."
"Exciting!"

Yeah, sure ... "Boring" more like!

In the 1970s, the then premier of Western Australia, a very American- and
business-oriented man keen on attracting international business, gave the
state the nickname "State of Excitement."  (Get the sophisticated pun?)  At
that time, most people there thought it was both hilarious and embarrassing,
and "very American."

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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