The definition of perfect as an adjective describes something that is ideal or beyond practical improvement. Granted, we know nothing in reality that meets that criteria, other than God. However, this is the English language and as that web link indicates, we tend to mash up terms and definitions.
The web reference cites the an example of the authors of the US Constitution who were trying to create a “more perfect union.” Granted, they had just won independence from England as a jumble of 13 colonies.
Logically, if something is perfect, how can it be more perfect?
Huh?
I recently overheard a television series bit of dialog. An actress described a dress that had just been modified. “It was perfect before,” she said. “Now it is more perfect.”
Yeah, that stopped me in my tracks. If it is perfect, there should be no way to improve on it. But, maybe I’m just a perfectionist.
Hollywood and the media have been hammering our language pretty hard lately. For example, I’ve read news articles or heard news anchors lately that reference some incident or event as “centering around” some issue. As a journalist and editor in the past, I’ve corrected reporters who used that phrase. You cannot center around something. You can center on something, or revolve around something, but you cannot center around something.
It isn’t just the logical fallacy of the phrase. It reflects the accuracy and professionalism of the author/speaker.
Challenge
What this highlights is a cultural need to be more precise, accurate, and logical in our language, both written and spoken. That’s a huge challenge with our English language. Without that accuracy and logic, you cannot build trust between yourself as an author/speaker and your audience.
Think critically of the terms and phrases you use in writing and speaking. Identify those that have logical inconsistencies or that dilute the definition or meaning of key words and ideas–like “more perfect.”
So, no, none of us are perfect. Perfection is something we strive for. However, God defines the standard, not us. We just try to do our best.
Keep writing!
