I love words. I have always preferred words to numbers. There is a preciseness, an objective value attached to a number – at least for those of us who don’t want to enter the realm of mathematical theory and philosophy. With my grandson, i can count 5 fingers or toes, 1 green block or 6 yellow blocks, show him that 2 red block and 2 more red blocks make 4 red blocks.

Words are different. Sure there is some precision to how and where words are used. Anyone who has tried to read and agree to terms and conditions of a contract knows that they try to be ultra precise and cover any possible eventuality. By the way does anyone except a lawyer read any of those things to the end?

But words have the capacity to be nuanced and evocative. You can paint pictures with words, evoke memories of flavours, aromas, textures or sounds. I’m partial to alliteration, onomatopeia and rhyme, addicted to cryptic crosswords and to punny jokes. Although I cant share the latter with anyone because I start laughing before the punch line.

One of the cognitive areas in my computer brain training program focuses on language and when my brain is tired of memory, attention, speed and problem solving, I turn to the language section to relax.

So take those U words. Don’t they just roll of the tongue. Unctuous; smugly ingratiating like Mr. Collins in Pride and prejudice. Uxorious – submissive – I had to look. up the origin. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary it’s from the Latin word for wife – uxor. Hmmm. I think I want to be Urbane – polished and elegant. And have my blog be Ubiquitous!