Logophobia!

Another interesting article of Bob Kelly from Wordcrafters Inc. came out. I've excerpted a small interesting part below...

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LOGOPHOBIA - AND HOW TO CURE IT!
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This language of ours certainly isn't easy! It's so full of twists and turns that it can easily
lead to a severe case of logophobia. For example, consider the following statements, each of which
uses two words which are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert in the desert.
7) He thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections, my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Another source of confusion can be homonyms, words which sound the same but have different
meanings. Their misuse can lead to glaring errors. Consider the following examples we came across in one
professional magazine: We may have become complaisant (should be "complacent") about it; It
includes a well-educated populous (should be "populace") all over the globe; Management styles are
beginning to waiver (should be "waver").

Then we have to deal with the problem of antilogies, defined as "contradictions in terms or
ideas." These include words which have two opposite meanings. For example:
Buckle: fasten together; fall apart
Critical: opposed; an essential support
Downhill: getting easier; getting worse
Knockout: collapse; triumph
Overlook: watch over; ignore
Quite: slightly; exceedingly
Ravel: tangle; untangle
Temper: harden; soften
Trim: reduce; embellish

Logophobia, by the way, is defined as "an excessive fear of words." If you're suffering from that
malady, we may have the exact remedy you need. Give us a call; there's never a charge for the
initial consultation.
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© 2006 by Bob Kelly. All rights reserved.
Published by Bob Kelly
Resident Wordsmith and Quotemeister
WordCrafters, Inc.
www.wordcrafters.info