Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-26
How Do You Like tho Word?

1t is noticeable that in their refer
ences to President Wilson's frequent
changes of mind, newspaper editors are
rot agreed as to the preferable spell
ing of the word most commonly used
to describe his waver:ng course. Many
editors spell it ''wabble' while no less
number spell it 'wobble." All wish
to convey the same idea, and, in view
of the common knowledge of the pre-
vailng Wilsonian characteristic, there
is no possibility Of anyone being mis-
led. However. it is perhaps worth
While TO note that the dictionaries give
"wabbe" the preference. Being
schoolmaster-and proud of it-Presi-
dent Wilson may be sensitive on the
matter of spelling and possibly would
prefer that in discussing his tortuous
line of mental travel the preferred
spelling be used.
In this connection it may not be in
appropriate to remark that neither
"wabble' nor "wobble" is, in fact, the
most precise word to use in describing
the essentials of wisconsin. To "wab-
BILE" is ito oscillate or sway instead
lily from side to side, especially while
rotating" Now. to be exact, the Will
sonian motion is not always from side
to side. It is frequently backward and
forward. While the movement is
sometimes SO rapid as to give the i'm
preston that it includes rotation, and
is always unsteady, yet this limitation
"side to side" makes "wabble" not ex-
actly the word desired.
Perhaps "vacillate' would serve bet
ter. To vacillate Is Ito change from
one purpose or opinion to another and
back again, as under the influence Of
opposing motives" That seems, at
first glance, to be better definition of
wisconsin as known to the American
people. Still, there is doubt as to that
portion Of the definition which includes
the words land back again." Wilson
always changes from one purpose or
opinion to another but has not always
gone back again." True, he got back
to his original idea that Bryan should
be knocked into a cooked hat, and he
shows signs Of getting back to his
original idea that we have plenty Of
preparedness. He changed from op-
position to tariff commission to sup
port Of that idea, but we do not know
that he will "go back again." Prob
ably he will; but if We are to attempt
preciseness in diction we should base
our choice of words as little as possible
upon probabilities.
After looking at the matter from all
viewpoints and after studying the die
tionary carefully, it seems quite GER
tain that there is no word in the Ian
guage that fully meets the need and
exactly describes the motion in the
performance Of which Mr.. Wilson is so
proficient. And that is not surprising
Since. in all the history of the world
there has been none other like Wilson
in the respect under consideration, it
is not to be wondered at that no man
has coined nor any photographer re-
corded aword that exactly fits the sub
ject. But, since necessity is the moth
err Of invention. the need can readily
be supplied. Let us now, therefore
make word. a combination Of two
words above defined, and hereafter
characterize wisconsin as "Wabbilla-
ton" ITO Wabbillate." therefore,
will be ito sway unsteadily from side
to side sometimes with rotary motion;
or to change from one position or
opinion to another. and often back
again. under the influence of opposing
motives.
If anyone has a better word or a.
better definition. let us have it,