Words

                Language can be a tricky thing. Words that can mean the same thing sometimes do not and the user can innocently stir up all kinds of trouble with a word used without care. You can cause great consternation with a minor word substitution.

Put another way, if you mix insult with innuendo you can be tossed out the window. That’s a wordy way of saying you can get defenestrated, but it has no bearing on our topic. We’re talking about, uh, words.

In the 1850 United States Census, three families who were likely related through the husbands, lived in Montgomery County, Alabama. At least two of the sons of these men served in the Confederate Army.

James B. Merawether was 44 at the time the census counter came to the house to get the population information. James’ wife, whose name appears to have been spelled Sopiah, had given birth to eight children. The family’s real estate had a value of $9,000. That was a very fine sum in 1850.

Thomas Merawether was 38 when the information was collected. His wife, Matilda, had given birth to six children, all of which were under the age of 10 when the census statistician noted the family’s names. This family’s real estate was valued at $6,000. Less than the value of the land held by James and Sopiah, but still a considerable holding for the era.

William Merawether and his wife Tabitha were just getting started in 1850. William was 25. He and Tabitha had three children, all under the age of four years at the time of the census visit. Still, the family real estate was valued at $5,000.

Here come those words to make their point.

James and Sopiah were the eldest of the three couples and their land value was the highest. James was listed as a “planter.” Next in both age and land value came Thomas and Matilda. Thomas was categorized as a “planter.”

William and Tabitha, the youngest couple, had the fewest children. Their land was valued slightly less than either of the other Merawether families. William was classified as a “farmer.”

Nothing wrong with farmers. If we had more farmers and fewer politicians, we’d be better off as a society. But, do you see it? The $6,000 land holder was a planter and the $5,000 owner was a farmer. A subtle difference in language use shades the reader’s understanding of the text and the view of the individuals involved.

Young writers have a tendency to use too many words. In today’s world of unlimited word space, developing writers can really crank up the vocabulary and spew words at a frantic rate. But, like the boxer who can hit the hardest with the shortest punch, the writer’s short passage can generate the best impact. Thus, each word in a short passage becomes more important.

Even in the case of a census sheet, words tell a story. Their use is important.

Thanks for reading.