A Free Thought Project

Say Abracadabra!


There was a time when I was in high school, some dude wanted to pass and the path had been blocked by a prefect. The dude just pushed his way through, dislocating the prefect in the process. The prefect, obviously annoyed asked the dude, ‘Can’t you use some magic words?’ The dude answered ‘Abracadabra’ and went along. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, even though it was during a moment of silence.

Of course, the prefect meant words like please and excuse me.

But isn’t abracadabra a magic word too?

Abracadabra is Hebrew word that means ‘I create what I speak’. Isn’t that magic?

According to the Bible, the universe was created by God through word of mouth. In ancient Egyptian myths, the universe too was created by word of mouth by God Ptah while he was sitting on a hill. The Bible categorically says ‘In the beginning, there was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.’ That’s John 1.1. Not that I’m an avid reader of the Bible, but that verse is a common one, even atheists know it.

My point here is the power that lies in words.

Marketers usually term word-of-mouth marketing as one of the best methods, if not the best.

In primary school, my desk mate used to tell me that she preferred to be flogged rather than be given a lecture (you know what kind of lecture I’m talking about – the one where your parent becomes a rapper, dribbling words faster than Eminem or Phyno). This was because words can be more hurting and have a lasting effect compared to strokes of the cane.

I don’t know much about the rest of the world but in most African communities, if you say something bad, even accidentally (something like so and so will get sick or so and so may die), you are supposed to spit, literally, else your word may come true, it is believed. Also, if you mention the word snake, you are supposed to spit, else you may encounter it! (I presume this applies whenever you are not in a snake park).

In ancient Egypt also, once a healer had finished the do’s of treating someone, he or she would do an utterance, usually containing the name of a god. That way, the healing would be effective.

Psychotherapists usually emphasize on people having mantras that they say to themselves aloud.

Finally, have you ever wondered why they call it ‘spoken word’ while everything that comes from our mouth is actually spoken words?

In summary, words are very powerful, they can make or break a man, a kid, or more effectively, a woman. (forgive me if I’ve stepped on your toes).

It’s up-to you to know how to use them. They can land you in a palace, in a job, or in hot water, or even hot porridge. They can close doors for you, or open them depending on how you say or whether you say ‘Open Sesame’, like Alibaba.

Alibaba is now swimming in multi billion dollar pools. (pun intended).

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