“Fat”, as a noun, is a “nutritional component of food”, and not a name for myself.
Contrary to the automatic associations, “fat”, as a “nutritional component” is required for healthy functioning.
In moderation, noun “fat” will not make me adjective “fat”; although it may contribute to an alternative meaning: the “tissue made up of cells that contain fat”. This type of “fat” is normal. It’s what keeps us warm and healthy and offers a little protection from the big bad world.
“Fat” is also a “cooking medium”, derived from plants or animals, and used to make stuff, like cakes, which lots of people consider to be a good thing. In Australia, it is an “offensive term for an erect penis,” to quote my Windows dictionary.
“Fat”, as an adjective, is a common descriptor for someone who is carrying additional weight. It can, however, also be used in reference to something “profitable” (like a “fat pay cheque”), in which case the connotations are more favourable; and, similarly, in relation to things that are “plentiful”.
Interestingly, it can also be used to mean “minimal”, like when something useless is a “fat lot of good”.
There are “fat cats” and “fat chances” and, more recently, “fat farms”, which I am a little unsure about. You can “chew the fat” when you’re talking, or “live off the fat of the land” if you’re a feudal landlord, or “throw fat in the fire” to stir up a little trouble….
One word – that is the subject of so much attention.
One syllable – that seems to cause so much pain.
Three little letters – that hold the power to hurt or insult or embarrass or shame or attack or threaten or judge or control – and are used to dominate or discriminate or manipulate or exploit or vilify – and have reduced me to tears –
and driven me to insanity –
and evoked such a terror –
That I have forgotten that “fat”, as a noun, has multiple meanings; and “fat”, as an adjective, is only a word; and, “fat”, as a feeling, is something different altogether –
