Words, Words, Words CMOS 5.250
Did you hear Mötley Crüe in your head just then? I’m working on a lyric rewrite. Pretty sure they’ll love it.
Do you ever second-guess your own writing?
This week, I used the word “obtuse,” then looked it up to ensureit meant what I meant.
Because they both deal with understanding, obtuse and abstruse can be easy to confuse.
One refers to a person, while the other describes an idea.
Let’s think in terms of geometry and art.
Quick math refresher: an acute angle is less than 90 degrees. Aww, it’s a cute little angle—get it? A cute. Acute… Anyway.
The acute angle’s point is sharp (an acute angle can cut you). An obtuse angle is more than 90 degrees, so the obtuse angle point is NOT sharp. The point of an obtuse angle is dull.
When we describe someone as sharp, we mean they’re smart and catch on quickly. An obtuse (dull, not-so-sharp) person doesn’t understand—or refuses to do so.
Realistic art involves clear ideas and an overall replication of, well, reality. Two people viewing a realistic painting can agree on the general subject matter (e.g., the artist painted a horse).
Abstract art is often a representation of ideas in the artist’s (possibly paint-fume-riddled) brain.
Abstract art involves interpretation of ideas. Two individuals taking in the same piece of art may walk away with different conclusions regarding intent and subject matter. Abstract and abstruse both relate to ideas difficult to grasp.
Obtuse: a PERSON who isn’t too sharp. (Like an obtuse angle.)
Abstruse: an IDEA difficult to understand. (Like abstract art.)
