Army slogan might send you to the dictionary

  • By Sarri Gilman / Herald Columnist
  • Monday, July 19, 2004 9:00pm
  • Local News

In my house, we’re into words. Instead of coffee table books, we have four dictionaries, two thesauruses, one book on synonyms and antonyms, and the official Scrabble dictionary (just in case) on or under the living room coffee table.

My personal favorite is our word history book. This tells odd little tidbits about word origins. No one else in my house finds this book interesting. The dictionary remains the household favorite. Our dictionaries have had the covers loved off them, and the pages rubbed thin from overuse.

A frequent topic of conversation is what something means. At least once a day there is a “word in question” for which no one can agree on the meaning. We’re all guessing wildly and finally someone goes groveling in to the dictionary.

Our quest for meaning is not limited to words, of course. Because I live with teenagers I question the grimaces, the rolling eyes, you get my point. “What do you mean by that” can be a handy little phrase. It’s one of those questions that can help defuse a potential argument. Or when delivered poorly, it can ignite an argument. What do you mean by that? It all depends on where you put the emphasis.

In my house, “What do you mean?” is reserved for innocent things such as free-standing words found in books and online.

Occasionally we run into phrases where the meaning is only meaningful if you were living in a very specific time period, such as the ’60s or the ’90s.

The phrase that has stumped my entire household is “Army of One.” What does that mean? So I did a little hunting around.

I asked two other people what they thought it meant. They too were clueless. I buckled down for serious research. I planned on calling recruiters all over the country. Noble idea. Then I thought of something easier.

I asked everyone who entered my house for a week. I got:

Shoulder shrugs.

“Who cares?”

“Isn’t it an oxymoron?”

“I’m not going into the Army.”

“Let’s start a band – band of one.”

Remember, I live with teenagers and this is the age group that visits during the week.

Obviously the marketing scheme for the Army wasn’t working. The target age group doesn’t get it. I don’t think anyone gets it.

My search for understanding the meaning of this phrase was halted at Army 101, part of the “Go Army” Web site. There it was, plain as day.

“You will discover a life filled with adventure, and meet other smart, motivated people like you. Because the strength of the U.S. Army doesn’t only lie in numbers, it lies in you, an Army of One. If you want to stop thinking about your future and start living it, you’re ready to become an Army of One.”

It’s almost poetic. Soulful. But still, it requires a leap to get it. Not quite so clear.

I always imagined clarity with the military. But this is more like interpretive dance.

It’s artistic, creative, deep. I’m feeling hopeful about what might grow from this. Imagine a military that uses the power of words and ideas as their primary weapon.

Sarri Gilman is a freelance writer living on Whidbey Island. Her column on living with meaning and purpose runs every other Tuesday in The Herald. She is a therapist, a wife and a mother, and has founded two nonprofit organizations to serve homeless children. You can e-mail her at features@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.