Hissy Fit - April 2024 - If it’s not Awesome... Then it’s Amazing

April 2024 Issue
by Elizabeth Skenes Millen

 The A’s have it when it comes to the two most overused words in America—amazing and awesome.
It’s interesting that both are positive words used to describe things that are outstanding and incredible. Before I rant, let me confess to being one of the over users.

I say awesome more than amazing, probably because I am a child of the ‘80s, and awesome began being overused in the early ’80s, when Spicoli, the always high, cool surfer dude from Fast Times at Ridgemont High used the word to describe nearly everything. Instead of identifying that Spicoli was so high his brain couldn’t conjure up more than one word, teens viewed him as superbly cool and began to emulate his stunted vocabulary to describe anything and everything.

It’s funny, too, that people overuse this term to praise both good and
bad things.

Statement: “I made an A on my Latin test!”
Response: “Awesome!”

Statement: “I’m going to be able to come to your party on Friday night.”
Response: “Awesome!”

Statement: “I emailed you all the details for your upcoming event.”
Response: “Awesome!”

Statement: “Dinner at Slightly North of Broad in Charleston was …awesome!

Statement: “Brittany finally left her cheating husband.”
Response: “Awesome!”

However, the origin of “awesome” actually meant “causing awe or terror; inspiring wonder or excitement.” (Merriam-Webster) I would say the Grand Canyon is a perfect example of something awesome—its presence is awe-inspiring, and yes, intimidating, too. The miracle of birth is awesome. And yes, my mother’s fried chicken is absolutely amazing. Although, one could also describe her fried chicken as delicious, scrumptious, or delectable, but honestly, it’s amazingly awesome.

It has been said the average vocabulary of Americans is decreasing. In fact, American vocabulary skills haven’t shown increases since 1970, even though vocabulary is an important measure of intelligence. How is our vocabulary shrinking despite statistics showing more students graduating from high school and pursuing higher education than ever before? A 2016 study estimated the average American has a vocabulary of around 42,000 words at the age of 20 but uses far less on a daily basis. Other studies have shown that in Shakespeare’s time, the average vocabulary was 54,000 words. Many experts cite high schoolers and adults reading less and less as the reason for the decline. However, if you think about it, perhaps it’s because we have turned words like awesome and amazing into blanket words, causing at least 45 or more words to be shelved. Let’s think about some of the words that can be used in place of awesome and amazing, which technically are not interchangeable, but have become synonymous by default due to over- and misuse.

If you are feeling especially complimentary, and the word awesome is about to slip off your tongue out of habit, consider using one of these fine descriptive alternatives instead: excellent, impressive, fabulous, spectacular, outstanding, extraordinary, sensational, or exciting.

Statement: “I made an A on my Latin test!”
Response: “Excellent!” (Grade A stands for excellence.)

Statement: “I’m going to be able to come to your party on Friday night.”
Response: “Fabulous!”

Statement: “I emailed you all the details for your upcoming event.”
Response: “Outstanding!”

Statement: “Dinner at Slightly North of Broad in Charleston was …spectacular.”

Statement: “Brittany finally left her cheating husband.”
Response: “Awesome!” (It really is!)

If you want your response to convey intellect, there are alternatives to awesome and amazing that will help increase your intelligence factor. Incorporate these responses to up your vocabulary game: astonishing, astounding, impressive, prodigious, superb, sublime, grand, or exceptional.

Statement: “I made an A on my Latin test!”
Response: “Exceptional!”

Statement: “I’m going to be able to come to your party on Friday night.” Response: “Superb!”

Statement: “I emailed you all the details for your upcoming event.”
Response: “That’s grand!”

Statement: “Dinner at Slightly North of Broad in Charleston was …sublime.”

Statement: “Brittany finally left her cheating husband.”
Response: “Awesome!” (Truly!)

Lastly, if you want to charm people with your Southern graciousness and femininity, here are your alternatives for awesome and amazing: lovely, divine, charming, stunning, splendid, wonderful, or marvelous.

Statement: “I made an A on my Latin test!”
Response: “Wonderful!”

Statement: “I’m going to be able to come to your party on Friday night.”
Response: “Splendid!”

Statement: “I emailed you all the details for your upcoming event.”
Response: “Marvelous!”

Statement: “Dinner at Slightly North of Broad in Charleston was …divine.”

Statement: “Brittany finally left her cheating husband.”
Response: “Awesome, bless her heart!”

I’m not telling you to never say awesome or amazing again. I’m sure I will, but just remember, if everything is awesome and/or amazing, then really nothing is. We have “dumbed down” these positive words to trivial filler words.

But you know what is truly awesome? YOU! Thank you for reading Pink Magazine, whether you’ve read all 20 years or just discovered it. We aim to put out the most relevant, compelling, and heartfelt (which could be summed up as amazing) magazine for you each and every month. We are so proud to celebrate 20 years. They truly have been amazing, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting stories and community events every month to come.