Relative-ish

In a world where very few things are certain, let's just add some more uncertainty shall we?

A few years ago I discovered three little letters that I immediately loved to use- i s h.
I added these wonderful letters to many words, and I loved them because well, I hate making up my mind. Scratch that, I don't hate it, but I frequently choose to be non-committal. It's easier. I hate breaking promises, so if I can get around giving a specific, direct, or committed statement, for the most part, I will. So, I soon found myself using "ish" to alleviate pressure of decision making or making a direct point. Don't get me wrong, I will tell you how it is if need be, but I might could do it in a vague way. . . (maybe this is why I adore the double modal?).

It wasn't until I heard my favorite TV personality (Shawn Spencer) add "ish" that I realized how wide spread these little letters have traveled. It hit me in that late night viewing of Psych that it hit me: in the age of no absolutes, we, this generation, has birthed a growing a suffix to illuminate our willingness to not commit. Really, who wants to step on some one's toes by saying "this is great!" No, no, we now say silly things like "this it great-ish".

Because of course, it's relative!

What I think is great, may very well not be great to you and therefore, let's not argue about it, just add "ish". There are times when it doesn't really matter, just like there are times when it isn't necessary to have a strong opinion (or a weak one for that matter), but then there are times when it does. Are people willing to drop the "ish" and stand up for what is True? This is all compounded by a book I saw at the store (after the Psych incident, I was really in tune with the use of "ish") titled "Christianish". I don't know what it was about, I never turned it over to see whether or not it was pro or con "ish" but that's not the point. The point is what I once saw as a cute, harmless little addition to my words making my commitment level vary, really is a picture of the our current post-modern state.

Maybe my ramblings are nothing more than lack of sleep and a fried brain from writing to many papers and having too little time off of school, but maybe, just maybe I had a brilliant insightful moment. . . and I will definitely be attempting to use "ish" lessish than I did before ;)