Absolutely Fabulous

fab-u-lous [fab-yuh-luhs]
1. almost impossible to believe
2. informal; exceptionally good or unusual; marvellous; superb: a fabulous bargain; a fabulous new house
3. told about in fables; purely imaginary: the fabulous exploits of Hercules
4. known about only through myths or legends

The wedding anniversary card made me smile as I opened it yesterday. It had funky writing and read: ‘To my fabulous husband!’ It was probably better than the one I sent Sam which had a picture on the front of a couple looking out across central London wearing their Jubilee pants. I thought it was very apt given we’d had all the royal celebrations and the Olympics… Anyway, Sam’s card got me thinking about the word fabulous.

Fabulous is one of those words I don’t use very often. Do an online search and there’s a debate about whether it’s more of a word used by women or the gay community. And of course the comedy TV show ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ has made us want to put on a posh accent and add the word ‘darling’ on the end. But at the end of the day, I think fabulous is a good word. And good words need to be used.

So fabulous might be used of someone’s looks: ‘You look fabulous‘ or of something they’ve done: ‘What a fabulous performance’. Used well, it works. It’s one of those positive, affirming, praising words. And we need a good supply of them, so we can encourage and build each other up (1 Thess 5:11). I don’t think there are enough of those kind of words around. Or if they are around, most of us don’t use them. We stick to a few – like great, brilliant, amazing, tremendous or fantastic. They are good words too, but they’re often so overused that when employed properly their impact is lessened. And that, I think is a bit of a shame.

That’s why we need more good words. More words like fabulous. I don’t think you have to be a woman, of gay, or posh to use it – although you could be. If it’s a good word it’s a word for anyone. So just use it. Use the good words. As the poet George Herbert wrote: ‘Good words are worth much, and cost little’.

So I intend to use the word fabulous more.

I’m not sure if I’m a fabulous husband. Like most married men, at times I think I’m doing ok and then sometimes I think I’m not. But it’s good to have a wife who appreciates me – and tells me I’m fabulous. I need that! We all do. We need affirming with good words.

So find a good word today, and use it. You could even tell someone today that they’re absolutely fabulous!