Today I Had A Very Important Thought And I'm Going To Share It With All Of You All

(a thought about the word brave)

Sometimes, a word will have a particular meaning that changes drastically over time.  The word pimp, for example, was once only used in reference to a certain kind of predator.  Now, pimp is a verb that means, "...to take something shabby and transform it into something that is both shabby and tacky."  Or take the word fascist.  It probably meant something at some point but now it just means "...someone I don't like."

 It seems to me that the word brave is undergoing a similar transformation.  I'd like to take a moment to clarify what brave is and what brave is not.

NOT BRAVE

Being a Hollywood actor in the 2nd decade of the 21st century and telling everyone about the way you prefer to have sex.

BRAVE

Being an atheist in Medieval Europe and telling an inquisitor that you don't believe in God.

NOT BRAVE

Spending thousands of dollars on hunting equipment and using that equipment to hunt wild deer.

BRAVE

Spending thousands of dollars on hunting equipment and using that equipment to hunt wild boar.

NOT BRAVE

Feeding your mother a poisoned cookie.

BRAVE

Dressing up in your best plaid shirt and skirt, putting your hair up in pretty braids, and following your crazy Australian friend into battle against the might of an 11th century English army.

I hope that clears things up.  Be sure and come back next week when I talk about how that tick tack toe looking sign (#) hasn't always been known as a hashtag.

Cheers.