Word Usage - Comparative Adjectives

In our daily communications with one another, we use a variety of adjectives. Many of these are relative adjectives - words like 'tall', 'short', 'big', 'little', 'easy', 'hard'... you get the idea. My gripe is that all too often, the way in which these words are used tends to assume some prior knowledge by the recipient, and therefore may not be as descriptive or as useful as the deliverer may have intended.

Example #1

I recently flew into Denver, late evening. Upon awakening in my hotel room the following morning, I turned on the radio for entertainment. After awhile, the announcer made a comment concerning the day's weather. First he said, "It'll be warm today". I'm thinking, "Huh?" "What does 'warm' mean around here?" Then he said, "Even warmer than yesterday". Okay, that sounds nice, but since I was not here yesterday, I have no basis of comparison. Then he said, "With a high in the mid 50's". Okay - that's what I really needed to hear, and I grabbed my sweater as I left, because even though 50's might be 'warm' to the citizens of Denver, I'm from Phoenix.

Example #2

In a current campaign speech by a would-be politician, I heard the following remark. "If elected, I promise to do a better job than the current office holder". 'Better'? 'Better', how, or in what way? After all, if you glass is empty and someone gives you a few drops of water, you might be better off, but chances are you're still thirsty!

Example #3

I overheard while in line at the grocery store, "that guy I met at the club last night is really tall". She appeared to be about 5'5", so I was thinking a lot of guys probably seem tall to her. I later found out the guy in question is just over 6' 'tall'. I wonder if she would have used the same adjective if she would have met him standing in a group of basketball players.

Example #4

This one is sad, but useful, as it shows the potential value of utilizing descriptive words. A would be 'Romeo' said, "I love you, a lot". He didn't get another chance with this lady. Come on, Romeo, with all the song lyrics floating around out there in the musical universe, you have got to be kidding me. Let's see if we can come up with a line that may have helped Romeo. 'I love you more than words can say' Maybe, but it was a lack of words that got Romeo in trouble. 'My love is alive' 'Alive' how? After all, a man in a coma is alive. 'My love is taller than the highest mountain, wider than the sky' - now that's descriptive! Here's one that someone in my age group might remember - 'I love you, a bushel and a peck'. Oh yeah, that's an abundance of love!

I realize not everyone is a poet. I'm only encouraging people to be a little more descriptive. Yes, I know it will entail using extra words. It might take an extra few seconds to complete your comment, but your message will be more meaningful. So, instead of saying "the car I saw was 'red'", use 'fire-engine red', or 'blood' red, or 'as red as a ripe tomato', think of it as an opportunity to be creative. And just in case you're a would-be Romeo, good luck with that!