PERIL IN A WORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1939, Page 9

PERIL IN A WORD

MEANING OF ENCIRCLEMENT. There are occasions when a new word, cr a now use of an old word, calls for careful scrutiny. The more sudden its appearance the greater the need, for its very timeliness may be its weakness, writes "Jackdaw!’ in “John O’ London's.” Such a word is now being kept in type. Its original meaning is mathematical and therefore neutral, its figurative meaning is usually warm and assuring. Its new meaning is neither. This word-is Encirclement. It is curious that "encirclement' had no place in the Oxfdrd English Dictionary until five years ago. when it appeared in its Supplement with the colourless definition, "the act or fee: of encircling.” Today the word is used m Germany and in many other countries as though, as a matter of course, it meant a threat of attack or domination. Here there is a vicious confusion of geographical with hostile encirclement. The logical end of this conception is the abolition of next-door neighbours—an impossibility until all peoples become one people, encirclec oy the harmless necessary Equator. Yet, as Mr Anthony Eden has just remarked, encirclement is a word t< conjure with in Germany today. There he adds, it “evokes vivid memories oi the war years, and when skilfully used by the German propaganda machim aelps to justify actions which considerable sections of the German population might otherwise condemn.” The simple meaning of "encircle” is to enclose in a circle, and its figurative meaning has hitherto been predominantly gentle. We speak of the eneirc ting hills, the encircling waters; of encircling love and encircling arms; even the “encircling gloom” reveals the ’kindly light.” But now, in the vocabulary of Europe, encirclement suggests a noose of iron or the clasp of ; boa-constrictor. The trouble is tha speech not only expresses thought bn can miscreate it. Well did cld Bishor South lament what he called, in hi: day, the “monstrous imposture owords." Encirclement is a myth, bu .he word is a peril.