Cool and Awesome - from my perspective.

The popularity of "Cool" and "Awesome" in the US is pheromone, to American citizens - or whom live here long enough to heritage this habit: It's an immediate expression when someone see an artwork, event, or simply just an act of un-familiar and outrageous to their knowledge.

Or: from the Oxford dictionary

cool |koōl|
noun
The quality of being fashionably attractive or impressive : all the cool of high fashion.

awesome |ˈôsəm|
adjective
extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear : the awesome power of the atomic bomb.
• informal extremely good; excellent : the band is truly awesome!
---------

That's that,

However, the overdose usage of these 2 words create another tangent that can be considered as a culture expression and how people use their tool of language to communicate.


In High school back in my home country, I was taught English with British education system: Cambridge University; so it's not a habit or a trend to use those two words: 'cool' and 'awesome' accessibly until I came to US in August 2008. It shifted all my language system in using the word 'cool' and 'awesome' almost every time I see, listen, tough or taste anything that is beautiful, outrageous, amazing or delicious. These are the two only words (beside "like like" but it's another post to write) that are on top of my tongue waiting to be used as soon as I speak. And sure enough, I look around me, EVERY BODY is using it at the same time. So I went on auto-pilot for using these words over a year and half, until I have no ability to control it any more; similar with any type of drug, it is a two-sided knife that is harmful for my form of communication and my vocabulary DOES NOT improve.


Besides the advantage of using these words that shows you are trendy and know what's the hot word to use; that you are 'cool' and 'awesome'. But it will cut short your conversation ~~cause it doesn't feed on any other idea or opinion as soon as you said: 'cool' or 'awesome' the way we're using it now. Think about it for a second, the people who using these word constantly, on a speed of light, are young people in mid 80's until yesterday's born. So for those who in their 25 and younger, do you usually talk or have a deep conversation with a person around your age [that didn't happen to me here in US - besides my High school friends].

And the fact that using only one and two syllabus word really shows your lack of vocab in your brain dictionary; believe me, I many times feel like a dump-ass when I can't use other word to compliment the artwork that I truly love. Moreover, in real business or professional field, using these words are pretty much not so 'cool' because older people - or say "more mature" won't give you a good impression on using these very basic word to talk about a truly great big idea.


By all mean I don't suggest or say that these words should not be touch again during your conversation or other form of communication; besides, these words are terrific on their own but please think about it before you speak. I have to train myself too not to use those words as I did before, it makes you think about that you say and what comes out will be more beautiful and meaningful.


So I wish everyone can help themselves think more before speak, to nurse our tremendous vocabulary treasure and say it in the most touching way possible.


Late afternoon by the Ocean,
Whx5