Now do I chalk up the description of our play (NICE) by our senior coach as :
1. Him being polite
2. his limited English
3. overuse of a word as he cyar really say or define how we playing the game?
Ah mean what does NICE play convey?
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the original meaning of the word, defining ‘nice’ as small and precise. So we can correctly speak of a ‘nice difference’ a ‘nice problem’ ‘a nice distinction’ or even a ‘nice fit’. We can also say, "They were not too nice about their methods." Or, "It is a nice fit."
Webster concentrates on the modern usage of the word and defines it as agreeable, pleasant, attractive, pretty, kind, considerate, respectable, good, excellent. The over-used word is pushed into service to describe a movie, a greeting card, a person, a chair, a bed, a place, the weather and almost anything under the sun. It’s a commonplace word, so frequently used that it could be said that it has become a ‘generic’ adjective. We hear people talk about ‘a nice outfit’ or ‘a nice kitchen.’ When describing a person we have just met, we thoughtlessly utter, "She’s nice." When someone does a good deed, people tend to remark, "That was very nice of you."
What exactly do they mean? Not that I don’t use the word myself. I do. Too often in fact! And I can’t help but pause and wonder what we really mean when we use the word ‘nice’. When we speak of a ‘nice pair of shoes’ do we mean ‘comfortable pair of shoes,’ or ‘expensive-looking pair of shoes’? The word is ambiguous. What’s the difference between a ‘nice place’ and a ‘nice person’? When we say ‘nice person,’ do we mean friendly, warm, approachable, courteous, or simply ... ‘nice’? There it goes again!
‘Nice’ is often the first word that comes to mind when we have to comment about something. Sometimes it seems that people use it just to have something to say about a thing, a place, or a person. It can sound so patronizing. And because it is so overused, it loses its meaning, like a currency that has depreciated in value because there’s too much of it in circulation. And ‘nice’ becomes a sad little empty word.
Now you might argue that the word is understandable in its contextual use. That’s true. But think of how much more precise our observations would be if we replace ‘nice’ with, for instance, ‘beautiful house’ or ‘comfortable bed’ or ‘luxurious kitchen’ or ‘attractive dress’. How much more meaningful our exchanges would be if we say, "You’re so thoughtful," or "That was kind of you," or "You’re so easy to talk to," instead of simply saying, "You’re so nice."
Then let’s put more meaning and value into our verbal expressions. Let’s be generous with adjectives and use words that really convey what we mean and how we feel. If we do, then we will communicate honestly and will understand each other so much better.
Do you think this is a ‘nice’ article? Try another word, please!
- Lani Estepa
San Juan, Ilocos Sur, Philipppines
