If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
And here’s why –
Your world is created by your reality – your brain.
So the word impossible, to me, is a paradox.
Lay down your sob stories of limbs that won’t grow back, or people waking up from the dead. I speak of the mind…shaping one’s life.
If you believe something is hard, then it will be. That’s usually the case.
But if you believe there is always a solution – that your efforts are worth the time it takes to complete something, chances are there are a lot of things you’ll tackle that will be done with ease.
While a lot of things take practice, your attitude shapes the journey and destination as well.
So impossible – meaning it could never be done, is an insulting suggestion, incapable of seeing itself as a comical and literary conundrum, and even an oxymoron. While I didn’t create especially, American English, I can tell you that certain words undo themselves and this is one of them.
Anything truly is possible, and since most humans only use 10% of their brain capacity.
How are we to know something is truly impossible?
The Heiress JCS 
What about impos-ter? How do you feel about that?
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Let’s break the word down? Im is the prefix, suggesting an opposite. Pose, in this case means to fit in, blend, state, etc.
And er, the suffix, makes any mention of most words concrete (practitioner, as an example)
I think imposter, while chopped up from other words, is suitable in its definition. Someone, especially, doesn’t fit in…or if we look deeper into the context, is trying to…but will never.
I also like the modern take on imposter syndrome, where you are talented or gifted and assume you’re not, whether it be your upbringing or the environment you live in.
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I see it as two sides of the same coin—if there’s “possible,” there has to be “impossible.” Just banning a word doesn’t really change anything; it’s our mindset that makes the difference. Sometimes, “impossible” isn’t a dead end but a challenge, pushing us to think deeper and try harder. Other times, it’s just a reminder of what we haven’t figured out yet. It’s not the word that limits us, but how we choose to see it.
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Yes, I don’t really believe a word can limit someone. I do believe their mindset and beliefs can. Religion is proof of that 😅
But I chose impossible because it’s the only word in my mind that doesn’t really make sense. Being challenged is a great thing, because if it is ever easy…is it worth it?
And so, our favorite thing to claim is something is impossible, but what if we went about it differently? Then was it ever impossible to begin with once you’ve completed whatever it is?
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That’s an interesting perspective! I like how you see “impossible” as a word that challenges itself. It’s true—once something is done, calling it impossible feels odd. Maybe it’s more about the process than the word itself. The real value often comes from the struggle, not just the result. And I totally get what you mean about challenges being what make things meaningful. If it’s too easy, where’s the fun, right?
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If we’re able to understand what you’ve mentioned – the process…we’d understand why something is challenging. Learning a lesson in comparison to reaping a reward honestly can coexist but may never be the same. A prize is fleeting, the learning process will last all of your days!
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