We laughed at his disclaimer, but Bill Clinton had a point. A naked word is clueless. The first rule in logic is: Clarify your terms!
But what is a term? A word set in a context. So, in one sense, Bill pointed out the obvious – ‘IS’ as a word takes on significance only in a context.
Take, for example, the unaccompanied word, ‘set’. How can ‘set’ be employed?
- a lamp, set upon a hill
- a man, set out on a journey
- my cat, set upon lapping some milk
- a victim, set up by a Ponzi scheme
- the book, set down on a table
Words and terms matter, dear friend. May we take time to use particular care to avoid confusion and communicate with accuracy and clarity.
Surprised by Logic 
I certainly agree. I should have a red pencil in my hand when I read our local newspaper – and then send it to the editor!! The current word that has me wondering is “fraught” – decided to look it up, and saw that it could be used with another word, like “fraught with peril” – which is how I’ve always heard it. But now, people say, “Such and such was fraught.” Period. I don’t get that one!
Trish – I have all sorts of word bugaboos that cause me pause. Then I have to get off my high horse and realize the ‘incorrect’ use of a word is due to the numerous times they have heard it used that way!