# Dual-Meaning Words as Prompt Strategy
Another angle on strategic language use with LLMs: choosing words that sit at the intersection of multiple meaning-spaces.
**Example:** "Can I knock this idea around with you?"
The phrase "knock around" carries both:
- **Non-aggressive**: casual exploration, batting ideas back and forth
- **Aggressive**: testing, challenging, roughing up an idea
By using words with overlapping [[semantic networks]], you potentially activate two conceptual clusters simultaneously rather than just one. The dual connotation might prime the model to engage with both modes—collaborative exploration *and* critical testing.
This suggests a prompt strategy: choose words that sit at semantic intersections to tap into richer associative networks.
this builds on that tweet I saw when he mentions the initials CEV.
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Related: [[Performative Language in LLM Prompts]]