Evasive: The real slim shady

Evasive:

Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, esp. by responding only indirectly. Directed toward avoidance or escape; tending to evade grasp or pursuit    Hard to comprehend or define; clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define Preferring or living in solitude and anonymity   Difficult to remember

My favorite synonym: SHADY

This week’s word EVASIVE I chose for two reasons:

1) There are some similar words that I thought it would be cool to delve into then and find out what would be the proper usage for each.

2) I think that most people nowadays are evasive.  And I am so tired of needing a cryptogram to have a conversation.

Evasive versus Elusive, Illusory, Allusive: These are all different flavors having very similar meaning with subtle variations in usage. 

The word Evasive is used when what is being avoided is direct or relevant response to a verbal challenge and Elusive used when what is being avoided is physical capture or apprehension

Illusory AKA illusive means based on or having the nature of an illusion while Elusive means difficult to describe or skillful at eluding capture

Allusive is used as a way to say, “in reference to” the act of alluding or an indirect reference; casual mention

There are several slight variations on this word and each holds a particular significance for me right now.

When you meet someone or have a relationship with someone whether it is a friend, an acquaintance, a co-worker, or a lover, you meet them in a particular context.  Most of the time people are a certain versions of themselves depending on who they are near.  Not really their true 100% self.  Of course depending on the person, some people are more open than others.  But for the most part, people are hiders, or are elusive.  

Why are people elusive? Is it fear or cowardice perhaps laziness? Most likely it’s ALL of the above or some combination.

People may be afraid of rejection.  They may be afraid to look stupid or be wrong.  Maybe they just aren’t strong enough to put themselves out there.  Self discovery is HARD but sharing that revelation of self discovery with other people is takes monster strength. Hence along with elusiveness comes fear or avoidance of bearing your mind and soul to other people. Borderline cowardice.

The last two definitions I think go hand in hand.  Along with those folks that deiced to go ahead and have a safer elusive existence, who prefer to live in anonymity and solitude have to deal with one really sever consequence which is the last definition here: They wind up alone and forgotten.

Adore and Adoration. Sayer of things versus Doer of things

It has been a while since my last blog post and I have missed it.  I love words and their origins, their history, and how they have been sculpted over time.  Today's word is not a difficult or obscure word.  Just means something to me and spoke to me.  This is only my interpretation of it as well and I know is not 100% literally accurate. 

I love the words adore and adoration. Someone once said to me, "I adore you." However, what does that really mean.  

There are several definitions for this word.

1. to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor.

2. to pay divine honor to; worship:

3. to like or admire very much:

So the first two definitions are very intense and are full of meaning and intent. The third definition is luke warm and almost ambivalent at best.  So when someone says, "I adore you!", how are you supposed to interpret that. I say that you have to look at the actions.  Adore itself is a verb which in its very nature imply action.  So to say the WORD adore means that there should be some action behind it. 

Adoration on the other hand is a noun, a thing. 

1. the act of paying honor, as to a divine being; worship.

2. reverent homage.

3.fervent and devoted love.

I have felt adoration before.  When a person hears you.  Really hears you and incorporates that almost seamlessly into their life and yours.  Just seeing you happy and wanting so badly to see your smile (which to them lights up the entire room) is enough to motivate them to do anything to replicate that happiness that smile over and over and over again.  You aren't ever inconvenient or a burden.  But a treasure, a gift.  That is adoration.

Although I have heard the words, I adore you, the act of feeling adoration from someone feels much more like an action verb than the word of action itself.  So being a DOER of adoration is far more meaningful that being a sayer of supposed adoring action.