Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Redefinition

Some people tell me that as you get older, perception of certain flavors change. Things you didn’t like before suddenly become palatable. I think the same think can happen with words. For example a few days ago, I realized that two words have dramatically changed their meaning for me. Sometime in the last year, I have been unable to hear the words “bear down” without thinking of contractions.

For some reason, this phrase has been popping up rather frequently. For example:

Jayhawks bear down, Vinson sparks Kansas' victory

Brink of danger, Teams monitoring levees as storms bear down

'Bear Down' composer Lee dies

Music giants bear down on lyric search apps

Kind of changes the meaning doesn’t it?

4 comments:

Dave M. said...

How about this one:
Matt you need to bear down and post more.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Matt. Now I've got the same perception of "bearing down." During our staff meeting this morning, my commander said that we need to bear down to accomplish a task before February, and a vision of him giving birth flashed into my mind. I couldn't explain to everyone why I broke into giggles...

Anonymous said...

why on earth does that make you think of contractions?

Karin

Josh said...

i think bear down is hunting expression.