... are magic. Like, consider how a dictionary works. Imagine it has three terms, A, B, C defined this way:

A: B C
B: A C B C
C: A A B

Now, does it really help you know what the word means? Not really. All dictionaries are either like this, that is, simply a self-referential circuit, or they might use another term that isn't defined in the dictionary.

To get at language, you need to engage in a magical, mythological process, IMO. And it's never something pinned down---words are sort of like water that flows out of the mouth. In old English, the word for law, ae, is the same as for river or mouth.

I am the same! I will randomly ponder a word or phrase and dig deep. Yesterday I was wondering with people named Richard get called dick for short? Richard (Rich) to dick!? what the.... in the 1100's England was invaded by Norman's (people from Normandy and area) and occupied. They couldn't pronounce the "R" like the English could. It is theorized that this influenced the Dick instead of Rick. So simple yet so involved.

I understand. I have books, from my late aunt's massive (for a bachelour suite -albeit with a fully packed basement storage locker) personal library, that explain the history behind various words.
Here is one: 'Weird and Wonderful Words' (c) 2003. Will be a fun read no doubt.
@Words... do you prefer numbers? More concrete, less magical?

Following can turn into stalking rather quickly, no matter what the language or spelling or meaning of a word is.
Do you also " follow " in person too ?
Cause thats boarding on illégal.
See different meanings can bring different conséquences.
All in how you define it.
Or handle your " following ".
Damn you people are hopeless.
Have you ever tried " Hi my name " ?
Chatting face to face, you may find out more information about this person you find so interesting.
Your Welcome

Come on
The bloody english language is so confusing the same words having different meaning and the silent e's .
Bloody hell, i before e except after c..
Just making this shit up to confuse people.
Lol
The slangs words and new made up words. The big, huge words that mean the same thing as smaller more common words. Used to make some people feel more supérieur to others.
Dont even get me started.
They say english is one if the hardest languages to learn.
Ridicules huh
Bahaha
All relèvent
Who cares

I like to look up the definition of love.

It can also mean to understand or subscribe to certain ideals and also to observe closely with various intents. Both meanings may allude to a desire for consumption. A desire to imbibe ideas or a need to fulfill some other need at the expense of another.

A proclivity for words can lead to discovering ones neurodiversity.

You sound like an awesome person and I want to be friends with you. Honestly, it’s hard sometimes to meet people who want to discuss more than what they ate yesterday and their next vacation. I applaud your intellectual curiosity!

...our thoughts, beliefs and actions with words. We create our reality with words. Media, advertising and communications know this well.

Practice becoming aware of what words you accept, what you say to yourself throughout the day, and choose helpful (supportive) words and thoughts. Logic, critical thinking, and helpful questions-to-self, are key.

Your life will change.

Nothing I said indicates I don't like words, just that I think they are magic and that too much is made of dictionaries and prescriptive definitions and grammars.

Magic is all about altering reality, by casting spells, by, ahem, spelling, meaning something like telling. And while we know what it is to tell, consider someone didn't, how could anyone be told what it is to tell if he didn't already know it?

I guess my view is that words reflect structures in our nerves, they're not, as I pointed out, merely a web of associations---but that is why dictionaries are dangerous, they are merely webs of associations, often produced by people with strange nerves.