I was in the 5th grade…that would have been 1965. Somehow, I was enrolled in some contest between school districts of the area. As this was over 50 years ago, I do not remember the specifics, location of the meeting, or what it was all about… That’s how ancient I feel.
My skills were not in math or the sciences, even though much later I focused on computers as a great career. But what I knew I could do was talk and write. Perhaps this came from my interested in words and I spent hours reading books by the hundreds and thousands, and I loved reading conversations. So, I registered for two contests called “Extemporaneous Speech” and “Extemporaneous Writing“. For each of these contests, you would walk into a room, take a card from a basket, and prepare a speech, or write an essay, from various topics. Unknown topics. Like, where did that come from, topics…
I wished I could remember my contest better, but I did win two medals.
Some would say this is speaking/writing “off the cuff” – and that essentially means, ” made or done without previous thought or preparation”. Since I could not prepare in advance on the topic, the only thing I could learn to do was write or speak “on the fly“.
The “cuff” thought comes from nearly 100 years ago when a speaker would be asked to share a few words, normally at the last moment, and while being introduced would simply jot a few notes on the cuff of their shirt.
The “fly” thought comes from several sources, but the best one I like was related to an actor having to say some lines at the last moment and is standing in the wings of the stage for the right time to step out and perform. They were ready, willing and able to “wing it!”
Regardless, each of these thoughts is often where I excel. At least, in my own mind! At the same time, I know I depend on these slangs and colloquial sayings to communicate every single day.
Have you ever been “put on the spot” to do something? Say a few words, take a bow, share a skill, or teach someone something desperately needed. You know, it’s the “spur of the moment” thought that often puts you in the spotlight!
Are you ready? Can you do it? Let’s get on the bandwagon!
Colloquially, our world is full of words we say to describe the moment from a perspective. But remove yourself a few generations away and they simply do not make sense! Our language and examples continually change. Think about it, do you know what a “party line” might be? It’s an old phone system where multiple homes shared the same line and the operator would ring your home specifically with a series of recognizable incremental rings that let you know it’s time to pick up! Reality? Everyone could listen to everything if they wanted to! The only polite thing to do was to not let yourself be tempted!
We live with slang, jargon, language, lingo, code… and as time moves on words and meanings change. That's why we are always feeling like we are in "left field" or "going against the flow", even the proverbial "third wheel". Share on XHence, we feel disconnected from the conversation that’s happening because we do not know the references. We see the words, hear the words, and it’s just like Blah Blah Blah… Why? There is a lack of simplicity and clarity!
All of us have this problem. Whether you are speaking about your craft, doctrine, technology, family relationships, or even personality – we all talk in code! It discombobulates the audience! Confuses the mind! Distractions make you see out the reference instead of listening for knowledge!
Today. I want to start using my words in such a way that you do not have to decipher the code just to understand.
How about you? Are you speaking or writing in such a way that too many can not understand you? Colloquially using slang or code? Are you purposely confusing your story, or attempting to only communicate with those who understand your language?
Here’s my focus. Simplify. Clarify. And, Keep on Writing, Keep on Speaking. Join me?