Among the plethora of things the Australian media do that annoy the heck out of me, there is one that drives me to distraction: the use of the word ‘hero’.
‘Our cricketing heroes…’
‘Our footy heroes…’
‘Our Olympic heroes…’
Now listen and listen carefully:- They’re athletes – some of them are even great athletes. They represent our country while playing sport. Some even manage to do it in a sportsmanlike, humble and respectful manner, unlike the several yobbos at the Olympics who chose to go out and get drunk as skunks, or the two young male tennis players who are competing to see who can throw the biggest tantrum. However, they are not heroes.
Heroes run into burning buildings, at the risk of their own lives, to save someone else.
Heroes run across a field, under heavy enemy fire, to bring back a wounded comrade.
Heroes, at great risk to themselves, smuggle hundreds of Jewish children out of Nazi Germany.
Heroes dare to stand up and say, “The Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes.”
This ridiculous, aggravating, annoying, frustrating use of the word ‘heroes’ as a superlative for people who play games for a living, is not only a slap in the face for every genuine hero, it reduces the meaning of the word. Eventually it won’t mean much more than ‘really good’, and we will have to find another word to replace ‘hero’ when we’re talking about real heroes.
Meanwhile, I find myself grinding my teeth every time I hear some inane announcer on the television talking about ‘our footy heroes’. Sometimes I even shout at the TV. Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!
Don’t get me wrong; I’m as enamoured of sport as the next Australian. But, I also love the English language. I happen to think that words, and the way we use them, are important.
Rant, over.
Wendy, totally agree. The meaning of ‘hero’ is in danger of being lost by inaccurate over-use.
Thanks. I’m glad it’s not me that thinks this.
I totally agree. This is just one of many wonderful words which are in danger of being completely changed in meaning through misuse or over-use. An “absolutely awesome” post, Wendy. (See what I did there?)
I saw what you did. 🙂 I know that language adapts and changes as time passes but some words shouldn’t disappear. Sometimes we have to take a stand. I’m particularly irritated that people in the media are so lackadaisical about how they communicate with the general public. They don’t seem to realise the influence they are having on the spoken language. Journalism used to have standards. sigh
Well said! I totally agree with your insistence that words be used accurately yet concurrently evolve. Great discussion Wendy – you’re [ a …] to be commended!
Thanks, Heather!
I once heard a radio program discussing addiction. One of the questions was whether every bad thing we do was the result of an addiction. One of the speakers said it was a shame we didn’t have a word for the urge to do something, which could be resisted.
But we do have such a word. It is temptation. At the time I realised that temptation to many people would just be a kind f chocolate. If you misuse words you lose ’em.
Excellent example, Ken. Although it’s rather distressing that people don’t know what “temptation” is. The English language is continually being dumbed down. A lot of the blame can be aimed fair and square at the media, especially television. By next century we’ll probably be communicating in grunts and pictures scrawled on walls.