The Quote of the Day that inspired my A to Z Challenge theme –
A Word for the Day that takes on many meanings.
Quote of the Day: A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator. John Steinbeck
Word of the Day: Interesting; adj. Arousing or holding the attention, absorbing
I found this “I” painted on the road near my house. I think it looks interesting, or do I? Maybe what I really mean is that it looks curious. But, what exactly does that mean? The truth is, I was taking a walk and looking for letters to use on my blogposts during the A to Z Challenge, and this one caught my eye. When I posted it on my blog, the boys were standing around me and we made up reasons why it might be there. Now, I ask you, is this yellow line really worthy of arousing or holding the attention, absorbing? It’s a yellow line. It looked different, so I took a picture of it, and started thinking of a story. At best, it piqued my curiousity.
My sister Nancy and I were discussing the word interesting and how it is often used to make a vague comment. She said, “It is an abstract word used as a concrete word.” Someone points out something like a yellow line on the road, and you say, “Interesting.” Or, you hang up the phone and say, “I just had an interesting conversation with _____.”
I find that interesting is my “go to” word when I’m not sure how to answer, or if I haven’t been paying close attention to the conversation, or I’m really not that absorbed, but don’t want to sound like I’m not interested.
Later in our conversation, Nancy told me that someone we know is having marital problems. I caught myself say, “Interesting.” It seemed like a better answer than, “Oh.”
I’ll end this post now because it’s starting to be about as interesting as a yellow line on the road.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt:Â Do you have an easy “go to” word that offers a vague response?
Many have chosen this word and all have written something different which makes it all the more INTERESTING.
Yvonne.
Occasionally I find myself saying something is interesting when I’m not sure whether I like it or not. I was recently called out on it at an ice cream shop.
I hadn’t thought about this-interesting as a kind of go-to phrase when you’re not exactly sure what to say. Come to think of it, I use interesting like that quite a bit. Great post.
Love the quote. When my children were small and I didn’t want to buy/ do something I’d say “we will see” buri really meant no way lol. Or “how nice” when you want to be polite even if you hate it lol
Really made me think today
Was meant to say BUT lol
The fact that you found a random “I” painted in the road when you were looking for letters is pretty interesting. Maybe even incredible.
I find that when someone calls something “interesting” I immediately think they don’t like it. Of course, it may have to do with the tone of voice.
‘I find that interesting is my “go to” word when I’m not sure how to answer, or if I haven’t been paying close attention to the conversation, or I’m really not that absorbed, but don’t want to sound like I’m not interested.’
I is for Ironic.
Hi Mary! Thank you for coming by my blog, I’m so glad to meet you. I have a bad habit of using the word interesting too often, I have to catch myself. I guess it is my go-to word as well.
Love the Steinbeck quote!
My grandmother, bless her heart and rest her soul, always pronounced it “innersten.”
Happy A to Z.
Lucy
I think I use “interesting” as a conversational placeholder, too! 🙂 And “wow.” I tend to say that a lot, too….
This reminds me of how when people are looking up, you can’t help but look too. I even asked someone this week when they were doing that, “See something interesting?”
T
My husband’s grandmother often would make the comment, “That’s interesting.” I always took as her sweet, polite way of avoiding a negative comment. I wonder if this is a midwestern trait or ‘interesting’ is a go-to word in a more national sense? Minnesotan’s are so ‘nice,’ don’t ya know?
The Portuguese (I live in Portugal) have a word…”pois” pronounced poish. It depends on the intonation but it covers all occasions and it’s my husband’s favorite word (and it makes me mad LOL). Me? I think it’s “uh huh” (also said with a variety of intonations). Glad I popped in from the A-Z!
Interesting is an interesting word. Because I just realized I said that to Hubby while he was talking to me only I had NOT heard a word he said. So I said, “Interesting!” Yikes! At least you made me think about that today. Thanks! I’ll have to change my ways.
i will always remember this phrase that was used by a woman in a movie scene when she was trying to distract someone—“is that a fact”–good post!
I tend to over-use the words “great” and “wonderful”… they come in handy when I’m stuck for words, or when I just can’t seem to find that specific word that belongs…
The yellow painted “I” is definitely a story waiting to be told…
Interesting!
Actually I overuse awesome. You’ve probably noticed that.
Yeah, I have a few go to words I use. Like Alex, I over use awesome, so then I jump to wonderful or fantastic. lol. Oh lol is another! 😉
I always loved the word Interesting. Arousing curiosity…so it really does apply to many, many things.
Interesting,yes?
Texas Playwright Chick
What a great post! I never thought about having a go-to word but I do rely a lot on ‘interesting.’ Also, I might say, “Really!?” And yes, it has to have the exclamation and the question mark. 🙂
I’m like Jess. I use “really” a lot and “wow”
Isn’t it funny how certain things catch our eyes?
I’m going to try the walking to get inspired about posts right now. Thanks!
Hello! Your post for the letter I got me thinking. I seem to use the word interesting a lot when replying to blog posts. Perhaps I need to try and use other words to convey that I find a post interesting? Have a wonderful day!
Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
The word “interesting” often sets off red flags when other people use it in a conversations. It’s one of those words that can either be good or bad, and sometimes you never find out which.
I don’t have anything interesting to say about this. (Okay, that’s a lie. I always have something interesting to say. And when I say that, what I mean is after I’ve finished speaking, people always give me an odd look and say, “That’s… interesting.” I’m such an interesting person!)
I never realised how much I use the word ‘interesting’ for things that really aren’t. I also tend to use ‘nice’ a lot.