I agonize over selecting the words that mean exactly what I want which is a function of my autism made more difficult by my dysphasia. I'm not as bothered with others word choices being as precise as possible so long as they don't throw in a bunch of big words they don't know how to use to try to impress or intimidate.
But "I seen" irritates me to no end and its use is increasing.
I asked a prolific "I seen" using acquaintance what was up and they responded, "[I seen is] just the fancier way of talking, like thee and thine in the Bible."
In federal service (civilian or military) SEM means Special Emphasis Month (also SEO for Observances since they aren't all months). There's an official calendar based on Congress' resolutions and the President's proclamations, mostly highlighting historically oppressed or underserved communities. For calendar year 2024, this is the Defense Department's list, dates and the law that mandated it:
MartinLuther King, Jr.Birthday— 15 January 2024— Public Law 98-144
National AfricanAmerican/BlackHistory Month— 1-29 February 2024— Public Law 99-244
Women’sHistory Month— 1-31 March 2024— Public Law 100-9
HolocaustRemembranceDay/Days of Remembrance—6 May 2024
5 – 12 May 2024—Public Law 96-388
Asian American and Pacific IslanderHeritage Month— 1-31 May 2024— Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 102
Pride Month— 1 – 30 June 2024— Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD P&R) Directive
Juneteenth— 19 June 2024— Public Law 117-17
Women’s Equality Day— 26 August 2024— Public Law 93-105
National HispanicHeritageMonth—15September-15 October 2024—
Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 126
NationalDisabilityEmployment Awareness Month— 1-31 October 2024— Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 121
National American Indian Heritage Month— 1-30November 2024— Public Law 103-462
BTW, I have something to confess. I'm not indigenous. If you don't want me speaking a tongue indigenous to North America, I will stop. It's just that as I explained in my reasoning why I subscribed to your substack, I wanted to learn Mohawk because three actresses I admire (to wit, Kaniehtiio Horn, Kiawentiio, and Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs) are Mohawk and the name "Canada" is derived from the Mohawk word for "town".
Just one of my pet peeves is the expanding use of the word "lessen" when "reduce" or "abate" are more appropriate.
I agonize over selecting the words that mean exactly what I want which is a function of my autism made more difficult by my dysphasia. I'm not as bothered with others word choices being as precise as possible so long as they don't throw in a bunch of big words they don't know how to use to try to impress or intimidate.
But "I seen" irritates me to no end and its use is increasing.
I asked a prolific "I seen" using acquaintance what was up and they responded, "[I seen is] just the fancier way of talking, like thee and thine in the Bible."
I hope he was joking, I fear he was not.
You took me on an emotional rollercoaster with this one 😂
Thank you for the love, vulnerability and dose of humor today 😊
Exhaustive post….
I saw your original Substack note about red dog season and loved "...baby tourist stomper."
Today's post....well, that's why I'm now a subscriber. Thanks for bringing many smiles today!
Made me laugh!
Monty Python quote area of my brain really lit up.
Always
This post has convinced me to upgrade to a paid subscription.
But please, answer me this:
What does "SEM" mean?
In federal service (civilian or military) SEM means Special Emphasis Month (also SEO for Observances since they aren't all months). There's an official calendar based on Congress' resolutions and the President's proclamations, mostly highlighting historically oppressed or underserved communities. For calendar year 2024, this is the Defense Department's list, dates and the law that mandated it:
MartinLuther King, Jr.Birthday— 15 January 2024— Public Law 98-144
National AfricanAmerican/BlackHistory Month— 1-29 February 2024— Public Law 99-244
Women’sHistory Month— 1-31 March 2024— Public Law 100-9
HolocaustRemembranceDay/Days of Remembrance—6 May 2024
5 – 12 May 2024—Public Law 96-388
Asian American and Pacific IslanderHeritage Month— 1-31 May 2024— Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 102
Pride Month— 1 – 30 June 2024— Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD P&R) Directive
Juneteenth— 19 June 2024— Public Law 117-17
Women’s Equality Day— 26 August 2024— Public Law 93-105
National HispanicHeritageMonth—15September-15 October 2024—
Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 126
NationalDisabilityEmployment Awareness Month— 1-31 October 2024— Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 121
National American Indian Heritage Month— 1-30November 2024— Public Law 103-462
Nia:wen so, so much! I will never bother you again vis-à-vis what "SEM" stands for!
No worries. 💛🤍🖤❤️
BTW, I have something to confess. I'm not indigenous. If you don't want me speaking a tongue indigenous to North America, I will stop. It's just that as I explained in my reasoning why I subscribed to your substack, I wanted to learn Mohawk because three actresses I admire (to wit, Kaniehtiio Horn, Kiawentiio, and Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs) are Mohawk and the name "Canada" is derived from the Mohawk word for "town".
I'm not English, so... 😉
Well done. 😎