Minion
From dictionary.com:
–noun | 1. | a servile follower or subordinate of a person in power. |
| 2. | a favored or highly regarded person. |
| 4. | Printing. a 7-point type. |
–adjective | 5. | dainty; elegant; trim; pretty. |
American Heritage dictionary says:
- An obsequious follower or dependent; a sycophant.
- A subordinate official, especially a servile one.
- One who is highly esteemed or favored; a darling.
When thinking of the word minion, submissive followers with an evil over lord comes to mind. Little did I know that the word minion was one of the few words that can actually contradict itself. It is a dichotomy in the sense that its definitions have totally opposite meanings. Obviously, the average person who may read comic books or watch super hero shows, would probably think the more negative definition is the accurate one. A correct sentence might be:
'To the disciples, Jesus
was their minion'. That may be correct using the more positive meaning, saying he was esteemed and favored. If a preacher said this to his congregation, the people might take offense thinking that the disciples led Jesus around like a puppet.
Language is a strange and wonderful art. Individuals are products of their upbringing. What will mean one thing to one person may have an entirely different meaning to someone else. So, kids, study semantics and language so you know whether or not, when someone calls you a minion, if it was a compliment or an insult.
Till next time, my minions of this blog, till next time.
was their minion'. That may be correct using the more positive meaning, saying he was esteemed and favored. If a preacher said this to his congregation, the people might take offense thinking that the disciples led Jesus around like a puppet.
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