Common Word Choice Mistakes Every Writer Should Avoid

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

I want to share some common writers’ mistakes that drive my biologist-hubby nuts and my own almost-faux-pas

Do poisonous snakes live in your state?

The answer is “no.” No matter who you are or where you live, you have no poisonous snakes in your neighborhood, city, or state. 

Want me to explain? 

Poison is a toxin that is either eaten or touched. Cyanide, arsenic, and other poisons take affect when swallowed, ingested, or touched. Poison ivy and poison oak cause extreme itching and rashes with contact to the skin. 

Venom, however, is injected. Consider the stinger of a scorpion or the fangs of snake. Venomous animals first puncture the skin of their victim. Then they inject venom into the wound that gets in the victim’s bloodstream.

The answer to my question? You have no poisonous snakes in your state, but you may very well have venomous snakes living nearby. 

When book authors and scriptwriters substitute the word “poisonous” for the scientifically accurate word “venomous,” my biologist-hubby comes unglued. 

My scientist husband also cringes when brilliant writers and filmmakers misidentify spiders. (I, on the other hand, cringe … or maybe screech loudly when I encounter one of those critters!)

For example, take this line from one of my very favorite movies, Sleepless in Seattle. 

Tom Hanks plays the role of widower Sam Baldwin. His son, Jonah, attempts to disrupt the first date Sam’s had since Jonah’s mother passed away. To thwart a kiss, Jonah lets loose an ear-piercing scream. (Much like the ones that involuntarily erupt from my mouth every time I see a snake – venomous or harmless—or a spider—all harmful in my mind.) 

Jonah covers by saying, “I thought I saw a black widow spider.”

Sam Baldwin replies, “Next time you think you see a black widow spider, say, ‘Dad, excuse me but I believe a poisonous insect is in the house’ and I will calmly take care of it.” 

Now let me tell you—this line about sent David over the edge. First, Tom Hanks should’ve used the word venomous, and second, spiders are arachnids, not insects.

Another one that causes my husband angst? I’ll ask you a question instead. 

Have you ever watched a butterfly emerge from its cocoon? 

I’m sure you’ve figured out that this is a trick question. No, you’ve never ever watched a butterfly exit a cocoon.

A butterfly caterpillar forms a chrysalis to undergo the pupal stage that results in the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Moth caterpillars form cocoons for their transformations. 

You’d be amazed—and probably surprise—how many children’s picture books incorrectly use the word cocoon when addressing the miraculous change that takes place from caterpillar to butterfly. 

Before I became the wife of a biologist, I used each one of these terms incorrectly. It’s easy to do. But it shouldn’t happen to writers of books, articles, blog posts, or scripts. Writers are responsible for verifying our facts and words before sending them into the world. If you write about animals or critters, get a biologist or zoologist to read your work. 

If you’re quoting facts or sharing information about building a house, get a contractor or architect to check over your words. Sports manuscript or medical article? Check with a coach or medical professional before attempting publication. 

You get the idea. 

Now let me tell you about my own faux pas, and it has nothing to do with science. When I wrote my picture book, A Gingerbread House, I penned this line: “The bakers used frosting to prop up the wall. First this side, then that side—all four standing tall.”

All my life, I’ve “frosted” cakes and cookies. Maybe it’s a southern thing or maybe it was simply erroneous. Fortunately, I consulted an avid gingerbread builder and competitor before submitting my manuscript. She kindly told me the correct gingerbread term should be icing, not frosting. 

I sure dodged a sticky mess with that one!

Moral of the story? Whatever you’re writing, make sure to vet your words with an expert. You’ll be glad you did! And my husband will appreciate the gesture as well.

What about you? Are there words in your profession misused by others that make you cringe?

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Common  Word Choice Mistakes Every Writer Should Avoid from @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Even after close to 42 years of marriage to a snake-loving, spider-loving, critter-loving biologist, Julie Lavender remains frightened of most of the creepy crawlies she encounters. “I’ve gained an appreciation for those scary guys, thanks to my husband,” she says. “But that doesn’t make me less afraid of them.” Julie and David write together and try to use correct terminology so as not to cause anyone to cringe while reading their work. They are the authors of Raising Good Sons: Christian Parenting Principles for Nurturing Boys of Faith and Character published by Penguin Random House and books about venomous animals and gingerbread houses, though not between the same book cover.