The other day I was listening to a lesson and the person speaking used
the word ineffable.
I actually have a look that one up! Ineffable means too great or
extreme to be expressed or described in words, or not to be uttered. As
I read more about the word it's been used for things that are
indescribable and can't be expressed in mere words. Usually it was
associated with talking about God. But other things can be ineffable
also.
Another definition expanded on it saying it caused so much
emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described. Ineffable
joy or beauty beyond description.
And as I read all these definitions and descriptions of things that
are too overwhelming to be expressed I started laughing.
One of the things that I enjoy is a play on words. And I started
thinking about how in today's society if someone used the word
ineffable in a show or a video or a podcast they would probably use it
to mean something that can't be messed up.
Do you get it? We've gotten to a point where it's common to hear the
F bomb and if you don't hear it it seems weird. We've even shortened
it so that in polite company we can say will "that's effed up". And so
for something to be ineffable I could easily imagine somebody thinking
that it can't be screwed up.
For all of its complications I love the English language! Even
when it's effed up like this.
