August 21, 2009

“I’m thinking that 300 divided by 250,000 is about the right answer.”

“The right answer for what?”

“The percentage of the English vocabulary that I use regularly.”

Self-deprecation is one of the best, and most effective, forms of humor.  Without being called for in context by another person, the originator expresses something that could be viewed as negative.  Most often, however, the comment is viewed as endearing.

While we should never underestimate our talents nor should we sell short our abilities and contributions, it is quite funny at times to poke a bit of fun at ourselves.  Those who carefully and thoughtfully recognize that they don’t know it all are often the most effective leaders.  Conversely, those who have feelings of superiority are difficult to follow.

During a discussion of databases, a sidebar conversation ensued that debated the number of words in the English language.  The numbers ranged from 150,000 to just over a million.  No one could seem to agree on what the answer was or if there was a methodology that could determine a correct answer.  The debate became comical when the following comment was made:

“I’m thinking that 300 divided by 250,000 is about the right answer.”

Of course, then came the question, “The right answer for what?”

And the self-deprecating response sent us all off into a moment of laughter, “The percentage of the English vocabulary that I use regularly.”

0.12 per cent is a very small fraction of knowledge.  Researchers say that the average American has a vocabulary of about 6,000 words, or 2.4 per cent (assuming 250,000 words in our language).  No matter where we are with our word power, there is still a lot to learn.  And so it is on almost any subject.

These metrics make one wonder why there is not more self-deprecation and a whole lot less self-puffery.

Craig Halsey

They Said It

August 21, 2009