Recently, I was asked, "Well, if they're the same, as you say, then why do they have different definitions?" Um, for one, there are a great many synonyms in our language. Those are an example of that crazy phenomenon. Secondly, the definitions aren't actually different.
Merriam-Webster (the English teacher in me will not allow me to use Dictionary.com or anything else newfangled when it comes to my reference books) defines the following words as such:
smack - to strike so as to produce a smack; a sharp slap or blow
spank - to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand
(Hmmm...I'm seeing a pattern emerge already...)
pop - to strike or knock sharply : hit
swat - to hit with a sharp slapping blow; a powerful or crushing blow
(I can't make this stuff up, folks.)
tap - to strike a light audible blow; to strike lightly especially with a slight sound; to give a light blow with
hit - to strike a blow
I mean, I didn't have to make anything up here. This is not my opinion or bias. It is what it is. Hitting is hitting is hitting. Give it whatever fanciful name you want, but you're still just putting lipstick on a pig...
I so agree with you. It's all hitting. When people spank their kids I just want to ask them if they hit their husbands or friends. You know they would say no. So, why is ok to do to small helpless people? I will NEVER understand this.
ReplyDeleteSide note.... Where did you find that picture of my mother in law?!?
I LOVE this! It breaks my heart that so many people feel it's okay to hit their children. I just don't understand how someone could think that is okay or effective? My question to every parent who hits their kids is, "do you like getting hit?". If you want to read it, I just blogged on this last week. http://journeyoutoftheabyss.wordpress.com
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