No no, not the *p* word!

Here’s a little script written a while ago, which illustrates all I believe is wrong with using the word ‘passionate’. This is a bit of a pet hate which has come about from being overexposed to this word, which is now tired and meaningless.

Q: How do you feel about your company and the work it does?

A: I’m passionate about it.

Q: Well that’s great. What else are you passionate about?

A: Err… my wife of course. And running. Oh, and of course the kids, not forgetting them, he he! Oh, and model railways. That’s such a passion in my life.

Q: OK great. Are you passionate about all of these things in the same way?

A: Yep. Passionate about them all. Umm… well except the wife of course, he he. And of course the kids. I’m definitely more passionate about them, as I’m sure you appreciate.

Q: Yes of course. Close family relationships are a totally different thing, aren’t they?

A: Of course.

Q: A different kind of passionate, I guess.

A: Yes, almost needs a new word. Or you could add a word to it. Very passionate.

Q: So what about the company and the model railways. Are you very passionate about them?

A: Yes. Very p-  …D’oh!

Q: How about a new word entirely? I think that might be the answer.

A: Yes. You’re right. I think ‘hugely’ is good.

Q: What? You’re hugely about your work and family?

A: No! I’m hugely passionate about them.

Q: And you’re just very passionate about your model railways?

A: Well, more like ‘very very’. Let’s check out what the dictionary says about ‘passionate’.

Q: Eureka.