Friday, December 6, 2024

Acquired Meanings

 Words are powerful. Literally! They have magic power. At times, this magic power gets doubled, nay,  increased in multiple  moulds. To give a very facetious example, look at the transformation the word 'mouse' has undergone. It is no longer merely the  furry small animal, the bane of a farmer's life. The life and soul of a hi-fi mnc/tnc it now is!

Another such word that has radically changed its fortune is 'acquired'. Once the darling of  the high-n-mighty, now it is associated with the dreaded disease , the AIDS.  This acquired immune deficiency syndrome was the cussword of the eighties and nineties.

The AIDS was not merely a horrible disease that ended in a certain terrible death. It was an acronym that showed how Africa continued its colonial hatefulness despite the independence struggles that were victorious. It was believed that the barbaric blacks were responsible for the terror.

Much water has flown under the bridge thence. The disease is now managed by medical treatment. Drug addiction and homosexuality, which were the prime suspects  for the disease, are no longer a strict no-no! No wonder, none noticed how the AIDS day vanished into thin air! Hope the disease does, too!

Pratima@ It is wrong to hate the result. Better cure the root cause, right?


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