Solid Ground
Posted on January 21, 2008 - Filed Under ground
The Phrase
Solid Ground is a phrase that has many uses, both literal and poetic. It’s best understood, however when each word is separately defined, explained and then reconnected with a literal definition. Once a literal definition is achieved, metaphoric and philosophical meanings are better understood.
Defining Solid
The word solid comes from many places, including the Latin language where it originated from the word solĭdus, which means, literally "like the soil". Solĭdus, however, originated from the latin word, solum, which means ground. This, essentially tells us that solid and ground are commonly seen as similar. To define solid in modern English, it means hard or consistent of a hard nature when used as an adjective but the word has a second meaning. Solid can also mean reliable or in-destructive.
When the word solid is used as a noun, it is usually used as a slang word. For example, in the sentence "Yeah, feeling solid would be good." solid refers to a place of comfort or strength. Philosophically and poetically, this is a common way to use the word in the complicated English language.
Ground, Defined
The word ground is also Old English, coming from the original word grund and refers to a unit or measurement of earth, land or terrain. When used as a phrase in the ground, the meaning usually refers to an immediate area of earth close by.
Ground is also the past tense form of the verb grind which means to take a solid object and break or pressure that object into many smaller pieces. This can include breaking an object down into a dust.
Together Again
When brought back together as a phrase, solid ground literally means an area of land, terrain or earth that is hard in nature or is considered reliable or strong. Simply put, any ground that is hard or capable of supporting the weight of something else, is solid ground. A great example of the phrase used this way in a sentence would be "Escape the flood and head toward solid ground". Here the phrase is used to describe a flood that has eaten away at occupied land, making the comparison rule simple.
Metaphorically, the phrase solid ground is commonly used to describe a feeling of strength. For example, in the sentence "You make me feel like I’m on solid ground", the phrase solid ground is used to describe a feeling of strength or normality. Obviously the phrase is often used to provoke a sense of importance when used poetically.
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I, would like to register for soil testing training. Thank You!
Michael Aguirre