Reply #29: I think we need a new word besides "hero." [View All]

[Redstone]

Most of you are talking about someone you admire and look up to. (I actually typed, "to whom you look up," but saved myself from sounding like a twit at the last moment.)

I think we (speakers of English) need to invent or adopt a new word for a person in this position, rather than "hero."

Because, in my opinion, if there's no risk to life, there's no heroism. It's perfectly OK to admire, for example, an athlete who overcomes significant injury or other problems and perseveres at his or her sport.

Or someone who must struggle, but fights the good fight in any other field of endeavor.

But is that person a hero? Not in my book.

Barbara Boxer? Genuinely someone to be admired, and I do.
Martin Luther King? Hero.

Boston Red Sox? Admirable group of idiots.
Fireman who runs into a burning building to rescue someone? Hero.

See the difference? Come on, there are a whole bunch of bright people around DU; let's coin a phrase or a word, and spread it around.

Redstone