by Rick Fontes

Created on: March 08, 2010   Last Updated: March 09, 2010

My grandmother was gay most of the time. This is not to say that she was a part time lesbian, but that she was happy, lighthearted, and possessed a blithe spirit more often than not.  

The meaning of the word "gay" has changed over time and its current, commonly accepted usage is in describing someone's sexual orientation.  

That the meaning of words change over time is readily acknowledged but the effect such changes have on our our society is less apparent.  

Words mean things.  They are the tools we use to express our wants, desires, feelings, and emotions. They form the basis of social compacts and contracts.

Because words are so critical to the exchange of ideas and information, it is imperative that the definitions of those words be mutually understood and agreed upon.  

No one would question that, in so far as the meanings of the words we use are subject to evolution, it is necessary to make certain that each person participating in a conversation or entering into a bargain, share a common definition of the words being used.  

The fact that word definitions are subject to change over time can lead to many amusing observations.  "Cool" and "hot," apparent opposites, can both be used to mean "desirable."   "Bad" can mean "good."  The list of examples, in slang usage, is practically endless.  

But the "meaning creep" in word definitions can lead to serious problems. This is especially true in the language used in written documents. Latin was the preferred language for scientific research and legal documents precisely because it was a dead language and the words, as written, would not be subject to definition creep.  

One can find countless examples of where, in literature as well other written forms, the intent of the author has been totally altered due to the change in meaning of the words recorded. In ordinary circumstances, this definition creep is benign, but it can have a more sinister aspect.  

If you can control the definition of words, you control the dialog. For this reason it is important that all historical documents that have a bearing on life in today's society, be read in the context of the word definitions that were current at the time the document was written.  

While the subject of changes in the meanings of words is usually approached as a lighthearted exercise, mainly for amusement, we should pay attention to how such changes can have an effect on important aspects of life.  

I will offer one example to illustrate the point.  In the United States Constitution, the Congress is given the authority to "regulate" interstate commerce. At the time it was written into the constitution, the word "regulate" meant  "to make uniform." Over the years, the word has come to mean "to rule, control, direct, or govern."  

Think how different the laws of this country would be if they were written within the context of the word definitions that were current at the time the documents authorizing them were written.  

So, while we can have a lot of fun playing with words and exploring how the meanings they had way back then differ from what they mean today, we might want to give some thought to the effect that applying current definitions to binding, historical documents can have on our day to day lives. 

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