Although it is not my intention to be “heavy” in this blog, I don’t want to be flippant about an important topic. Cutting has many meanings, but a very common use in the current culture relates to the practice of “self-harm”. This is a serious and complex topic that should not be ignored or taken lightly by those who practice it or who know someone who does. So, here’s one article for each, which wouldn’t hurt anyone to read:
http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/438-cutting-and-self-injury-finding-better-ways-to-cope
http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/437-how-to-help-a-friend-who-is-self-injuring
This week’s word encompasses so many different topics–maybe more than any other word we’ll have this year. From the serious emotional and physical health issue above, to mealtime, to work and play, and humor. The term “rapier wit”, which doesn’t fit into most American conversations unless you’re Charles Winchester III, is a reference to particularly sharp humor. The cutting kind. Not just cutting up, like silly folks do, but harsh sarcasm that is even likely to cause hurt feelings.
But we’re also talking about eliminating the less skilled players from the team, or reducing staff to save money, or taking scissors to the coupon book–or anything else. Cutting is pretty much what scissors do, except when you’re Alfred Hitchcock (“Dial M for Murder” reference). Speaking of movies, how do we stop filming a scene? And how do we edit the movie film? And how do you get a better seat when you arrive after the line is already too long?
Your youngster may be fussing because she’s cutting teeth. Your cowboy may be gelding a horse (pause while all men recover from the cringe). The dealer mixes the cards by cutting, and no bleeding or cringing is required for that. And my all-time favorite definition relating to skipping school says that cutting is “intentionally failing to attend.” That’s just a fun combination of words for taking an unapproved vacation day.
Random Word of the Week 