Everybody Talks About the Weather, But Nobody Does Anything About It

I think one reason I am on this earth is to encourage my fellow travelers to use the language more expressively and creatively--and to convince them it will be a satisfying experience to do so.

I'm going to be talking for a moment about trying to banish--or minimize--uttering the most overused word in the English language (with the possible exception of "like"): "nice."

I think that the average person would be shocked at how often he or she uses that word to the exclusion of so many other words that are more vivid, precise, colorful. As George Carlin once sagely observed: "Nice is a weak word; doesn't have a lot of character."

So the next time the weather outside is sunny, pleasant, and warm, don't exclaim to a friend as you head outside, "Oh, it's such a nice day!" How about "What a glorious day!" Or "It's gorgeous out today." Or "The weather is spectacular today!"

I once heard a guy in Seattle exclaim as he saw a fancy Italian sports car--it was a Ferrari or Maserati--parked near where he was walking: "What a nice car." Really? That's the best you can do? How about a "beautiful" car or "magnificent" car or "fabulous" car? You know those words. Use them!

Want to immediately enliven your vocabulary? Pretend the word "nice" doesn't exist. Every time you sense that you're about to say it (or write it), whatever the situation, pause and choose a different word. Believe me, there always is one.

Bonus obscure word of the day: "discalceate." It means to take your shoes off. Disarrange the hosts at the next dinner party you attend by inquiring whether they would have any problem if you were to discalceate at some point during the evening.