Language is a very powerful tool. The strength of a single word can create or destroy empires. How many times have we seen a celebrity or politician toppled from their pedestals due to a misspoken word that was caught on-camera or microphone? Today, let’s take a look at the basics of some of our language, and 
it’s going to start in ancient Greece with the word, ἴδιος (pronounced, id-ee-oss). This is the same root word from which both idioms and idiots are derived. The actual definition of the word means, “private” or “of one’s own.” Pertaining to idioms, it means a private expression. In other words, unless you know what the phrase already means, it can be rather cryptic. A good example is the idiom, “jump through hoops.” I’ve been feeling that way lately as Gene & I are jumping through a lot of hoops trying to drum up more business for Integrity Adjusters. Any time you’re dealing with the government, it seems like you have to jump through hoops. The phrase comes from circus acts 
where animals were forced to jump through hoops, sometimes hoops of fire, for no reason other than to entertain the audience. When used in the corporate world, it means having to take what seems to be unnecessary steps just to be considered as a viable candidate for a sought-after role. However, in reality those hoops also tend to “thin out the herd” of petitioners, because they make it harder to reach the ultimate goal, and only those who are willing to put in the extra effort receive the reward.
There are so many more idioms in the English language that can sound confusing if you aren’t in the inner circle of those who know the meaning of these cryptic phrases. If you are an idiom connoisseur, then you can beat around the bush, hit the sack, pull someone’s leg, go back to the drawing board, bite the bullet, speak of the devil, wrap your head around something and get bent out of shape. Perhaps you’d rather add insult to injury, compare apples to oranges, cry over spilled milk, break the ice, hit the nail on the head, live and learn, play devil’s advocate or throw caution to the wind. Remember to let sleeping dogs lie because every dog has his day. You can get wind of something, get your second wind or know which way the wind is blowing. You can hear something straight from the horse’s mouth, lead a horse to water but can’t make him drink, just don’t beat a dead horse. It’s okay to have your head in the clouds while on cloud nine, and be right as rain as long as you remember come rain or shine there may be a bolt from the blue or you may be in the calm before the storm, so run like the wind.
Then there’s the idiot. Again, this word probably doesn’t mean what you think it does. While it has become synonymous with an imbecile, the word originally was prescribed to an individual who had no interest in public affairs. By association, this led to the label 
of ignorance, because the “private” individual who kept to “one’s own” didn’t have a good understanding of what was happening in the public forum. By the time ἴδιος made its way from Greek to French to Middle English of the 16th century, the idiot became a stupid buffoon.
Okay, by now you’re wondering why the language lesson? Simple: We live in a day and age where words are too often twisted, turned and misrepresented. Poor choice of words and language is a direct reflection on you and the people you represent (that includes not only your employer, but also your family and friends). I’m not advocating everybody return to school and work on a master’s degree in English, but here's an idea: it would be very beneficial to take a moment to brush up on your language skills. That doesn’t mean relying solely on Spell Check, but making a conscious effort to double-check grammar, spelling and punctuation before sending out letters or emails…. rehearsing speeches or presentations…. calling upon a trusted friend or colleague to review your communications. It’s extra effort, no doubt, but isn’t a quality life all about going the extra mile and putting in the extra effort?
My soap box sermon is over now. You can jump on the bandwagon, shape up or ship out, see eye to eye or just tell me I’m off my rocker, not playing with a full deck or a little learning is a dangerous thing.