Yes. The word icon DID refer to something rare and special. It was traditionally used to indicate a window between Time and Eternity. In paintings -from before even the Byzantine era - the background for the image depicted on the icon was concretized Light or Gold which defys the confines of space and its 3Ddepictions. But that was a world not utterly trashed and lost on the icons deluging us in these times!
Okay where did you find this super-cool graph? Now I want to start tracking word usage. "Masterpiece" is a word I think is over-used. I think as a culture we've lost confidence in our ability to express nuance through language only, peppering every text with emojis or liberally using exclamation marks to make extra-sure that person knows that you're excited or were maybe being sarcastic. (By the way, I'm describing me here.) So maybe "icon" peaked because we don't know how to use our words to express why something or someone is praise-worthy. Thanks for the thought-provoking piece.
Google found this graph for me! I just typed in something “icon word usage” and this popped up. Presto! I think the overuse of “icon” is probably due to herd mentality - one person starts calling something an icon, and so we all do - but also cultural laziness, to your point. It’s much easier just to slap “icon” onto someone or something, isn’t it, than to take the time to describe the person or thing meaninfully?
Like (I imagine) most writers, I love words. Thanks for an insightful and well-written piece. I found it interesting, and it held my attention all the way.
You are welcome! Thank you for reading.
You made my day!
Polly your writing is so iconic it will survive into perpetuity! 🤣Rory I just could t avoid typing that! Hope your Saturday goes well!! T
Yes. The word icon DID refer to something rare and special. It was traditionally used to indicate a window between Time and Eternity. In paintings -from before even the Byzantine era - the background for the image depicted on the icon was concretized Light or Gold which defys the confines of space and its 3Ddepictions. But that was a world not utterly trashed and lost on the icons deluging us in these times!
Amen! Thank you for such an eloquent synopsis.
Okay where did you find this super-cool graph? Now I want to start tracking word usage. "Masterpiece" is a word I think is over-used. I think as a culture we've lost confidence in our ability to express nuance through language only, peppering every text with emojis or liberally using exclamation marks to make extra-sure that person knows that you're excited or were maybe being sarcastic. (By the way, I'm describing me here.) So maybe "icon" peaked because we don't know how to use our words to express why something or someone is praise-worthy. Thanks for the thought-provoking piece.
Google found this graph for me! I just typed in something “icon word usage” and this popped up. Presto! I think the overuse of “icon” is probably due to herd mentality - one person starts calling something an icon, and so we all do - but also cultural laziness, to your point. It’s much easier just to slap “icon” onto someone or something, isn’t it, than to take the time to describe the person or thing meaninfully?
Like (I imagine) most writers, I love words. Thanks for an insightful and well-written piece. I found it interesting, and it held my attention all the way.