JULY 17 — Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has apologised to the Selangor Ruler for remarks he allegedly made against the monarchy.

He however claimed that his words had been taken out of context and spun by his political rivals.

In "What’s in a word?”, I explained that words can bear three meanings —

(1) literal meaning;

(2) inferential meaning or implication; and

(3) secondary meaning.

Only the first and second meanings are of concern here. Both are known as the natural and ordinary meaning.

The ordinary and natural meaning may include any implication or inference which the words would convey to an ordinary man — the reasonable man.

If words are understood by the reasonable man by way of implication or inference, can it be said that the words so understood are twisted by him?

Words matter. So, mind your words.

*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.