As grant writers, we strategize how to use powerful words. That skill is our superpower. We weave evocative, compelling narratives in an effort to move our audiences to action. Naturally, we find words and wording fascinating.

Recently, we learned that the word “priority” did not always have a plural form. What? Wow! Think about that fact for a moment and how it would change strategizing and grant writing significantly if it were true today. 

We decided to investigate.

Here’s what we learned about priority from the Oxford English Dictionary (OED):

• • Even though the word has a very modern feel: “The earliest known use of the word priority is in the Middle English period (1150-1500).“ 
  • Historically, priority has occurred across multiple topics: The OED says that since the 1500s, “priority has developed meanings and uses in subjects including 
    • law (early 1500s)
    • taxonomy (1840s)
    • philosophy (1890s)
    • motoring (1920s)” 

• And then, from 1936 onward, the word appears consistently and more frequently in its plural form. (You can see that basic trend beginning in Google Books Ngram Viewer.) 

• We infer from OED’s examples that priority at one time meant “the top thing” and currently means “a top thing (possibly among other top things).” Let’s break down the history: 
  • In 1704: “I mean that order of priority or posteriority, according to which this application is to be made.” J. Norris, Essay Ideal World vol. II. xiii. 571, quoted in the OED
    
    We interpret this usage of priority as an indication that priority is “the first” and posteriority is “the last.” 
  • In 1936, the plural form emerges: “The function of..deciding the main priorities in all classes of munition production should be separated from all functions connected with the problem of material and supply.” Times 21 July 9/2, as quoted in the OED
    
    The above sentence is the artifact we sought! The OED defines priority in this example as “[a] thing that is regarded as more important than others….” 

Note that priority, according to this definition, does not mean “more important than all others.”

As grant writers, we sometimes want to abolish the plural form, priorities, from being used in our organizations or by our clients. Strategizing about a massive set of equally important priorities can become quite top-heavy and complicated without an explicit hierarchy identifying a single priority at the very top of it all, as the word was intended in the olden days. It takes precedence. It goes first.

Writing about many priorities can make for a diluted, unfocused story. We need to be able to tell compelling stories with focus and clarity. Perhaps we need to initiate a movement in which priority is used only in the singular again, and sub-priorities can be plural and plentiful.

Everything cannot be a priority. Then, nothing is a priority.