Definitions

One segment of the text by Epstein that really caught my eye was the segment discussing definitions. We know that a definition refers to a deeper awareness of what a person, place, or thing really is. After reading from the text, we can see that a definition also is the term for an analysis of what we mean when we give a statement that is vague or possible to be misinterpreted. Definitions, in this sense, also make it possible for others to get exactly what we mean.

In my personal opinion, I think that defining exactly what we mean, like the examples given in the book, is going too far. I see it as over-analyzing what we say. If everyone were to clearly define every statement they want to make, our dialect would be completely void of originality and flair. For example, in one passage from the text, a woman implies that another person is rich because: "She's got a Mercedes" (Epstein, 28). Of course, I agree that this is not a definition of "rich," however, it's a funny and original joke , and gives a color to the person who made the comment. A true definition of "rich" would be more accurate in the situation, but honestly, it would also be completely boring and uninteresting.