Eliminate Zombie Nouns

Helen Sword


Refuse to use the word “thing.”

Each thing can be described in more detail. When we don’t we’re just being lazy. Don’t drown the cake in frosting to avoid baking a new one.

Let a device be a device, a trait be a trait, a feeling be a feeling.

Before: “This is the greatest thing my parents taught me.”

After: “This is the greatest lesson my parents taught me.”

23 March 2020