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Blue Quote by Erin McKean

“Part of the joy and pleasure of English is its boundless creativity: I can describe a new machine as bicyclish, I can say that I'm vitamining myself to stave off a cold, I can complain that someone is the smilingest person I've ever seen, and I can decide, out of the blue, that 'fetch' is now the…” quote by Erin McKean
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“Part of the joy and pleasure of English is its boundless creativity: I can describe a new machine as bicyclish, I can say that I'm vitamining myself to stave off a cold, I can complain that someone is the smilingest person I've ever seen, and I can decide, out of the blue, that 'fetch' is now the word I want to use to mean 'cool.'”

Erin McKean

About This Quote

Source Interview: Language and Innovation Talk, 2015

English allows speakers to invent words and repurpose existing ones, showcasing its flexibility and playful nature.

In simple terms: English is creative and adaptable.

Key Takeaway

Embrace wordplay and new expressions.

Themes

creativity language playfulness innovation expression

Mood

joyful curious playful

Type

observational inspirational

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • teaching
  • branding
  • social media
  • casual conversation

Key Concepts

neologism semantic shift lexical freedom

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does inventing words affect communication?
  • When is wordplay appropriate?
A Different Perspective

New words may confuse listeners unfamiliar with the coinage.

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