In honor of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re highlighting some of the masterful word choices that exemplify music’s most language-loving genre.

🎤 Now tell me your philosophy
On exactly what an artist should be.
Should they be someone with prosperity
And no concept of reality?

Lauryn Hill, “Superstar” (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1998, Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records)

✏️ While success broadly refers to the accomplishment of one’s goals, prosperity is often used more specifically to refer to a flourishing or thriving condition, especially in relation to financial status and material gain. The word prosperity is usually used positively, but a person can have prosperity without necessarily feeling like they’ve achieved success—or happiness.

Tune in to tomorrow’s Synonym of the Day for a perfect word choice from a track by Nas.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re highlighting some of the masterful word choices that exemplify music’s most language-loving genre.

🎤 Again, respect, I come correct
The rhymes I select are nothing short of perfect
Vernacular's pure and I can ensure
Life or death with my breath, my voice is a cure

Kool Moe Dee, “How Ya Like Me Now” (How Ya Like Me Now, 1987, Jive Records)

✏️ The word vernacular is often used to refer to a distinct form of a given language used by a certain group or that is specific to a particular place. Vernacular indicates that the language being used has unique qualities that set it apart from all of other forms of the language.

Tune in to tomorrow’s Synonym of the Day for a perfect word choice from a track by Lauryn Hill.

In the meantime, learn why word love is the beating heart of hip-hop:

✅ A vacation is a period of time in which you’re not going to work or school, often in order to rest, relax, or travel (I’m really looking forward to my summer vacation).

✅ A sabbatical is a period of time in which you’re on leave from work for rest, research, or learning new things (I went on sabbatical to learn a new language).

✅ Vacation generally suggests a period of time spent resting and relaxing and can be a short or longer period (I’m taking a few days’ vacation). Sabbatical generally suggests a longer period of time, spent doing things that will improve your performance at work (My professor took a sabbatical this semester).