Semantic gradients

One method of madness for naming things

location Raleigh,  NC,  US

Since learning about semantic gradients last year, I've been seeing & using them everywhere.

Frequency illusions like this are called the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon:

Interestingly, the term "Baader-Meinhof phenomenon" has nothing to do with the person who researched it or any scientific background. Instead, it is named after a West German terrorist group, the Baader-Meinhof gang, active in the 1970s.
The name was coined in 1994 by a commenter on the St. Paul, Minnesota, Pioneer Press online commenting board. The commenter had heard two references to the Baader-Meinhof gang within 24 hours and decided to name the frequency illusion after them. 1

Semantic Structure

One of the nifty things about HTML is its kindness & pliability when writing it badly. One of the extra cool things about HTML are the semantics built into the language itself. It makes use of (what I consider) a sort of semantic gradient in its naming structure. Using its h1, h2,h3,h4,h5, and h6 heading levels, you get semantics and accessibility baked together in one foundational practice.

Semantic Style

This is one of the most interesting, that's used throughout the internet these days. In my own site, I have things like:

Color

--color-quiet
--color-subtle
--color-nuance
--color-distinct
--color-prominent
--color-emphasis

Rhythm

--rhythm-prestissimo
--rhythm-presto
--rhythm-vivace
--rhythm-allegro
--rhythm-moderato
--rhythm-andantino
--rhythm-andante
--rhythm-adagio
--rhythm-largo
--rhythm-grave

Borders

--border-hairline
--border-fine
--border-thin
--border-light
--border-regular
--border-medium
--border-bold
--border-heavy
--border-black
--border-ultra

Performance Management

For performance: meeting expectations, exceeding expectations, etc.

Anyways.

Define: super cool thing about them. Allow a way to reframe things and put order for others to words.

Provides framework for Metaphoric Method too