'Wordsmithery: The work of a skilled user of words.'
When it comes to literary matters, I'm a shameless geek. I know nothing about shoes or celebrity couples, but give me a bookshelf and I'll tell you which edition of the Oxford English Dictionary is the best (answer: it depends on the task needed).
I also get disproportionately excited when I say certain words out loud, like:
Mellifluous
Hiraeth (thank you, Welsh friend)
Supine
Hoppipola or
Vellichor.
But do words really matter? I mean, as long as your readers understand the basic gist of what you're saying, that's all good, right? Of course, I'm bound to argue the opposite, as a logophile (lover of words). But don't just take it from me. Think about the words of Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln, Anne Frank, Karl Marx, Martin Luther King Jr, Neil Armstrong, Nelson Mandela and Bob Dylan or even - dare I sully this innocent blog - the Kardashians.
Words have changed the course of human history. Words have created wars, forged peace, ended slavery and brought down the Berlin wall. Words have given us education, compassion and ancient stories around the fire. Words have gifted us song where before there was just a tune. Words have provided us with eye-opening TED Talks, equality, entertainment, romance and Stephen Fry at his finest. Words help us to make sense and make connections in a confusing and disjointed world. Words are the best friends and the worst enemies we will ever have.
With just one bad or careless phrase, your business, book or project could have potential clients running for the hills. Wouldn't you rather they take a closer look at you?
Don't leave it to chance or a drawing pin in the dictionary (although I do recommend the 1932 edition). A quick tweak may be all that you need. Let this humble editor and other logophiles use geekiness for the good. Our passionate wordsmithery and sharp eye for good design are waiting to help you.