"Lighter" thoughts...that contraction!

While listening to all kinds of religious language for the past two years, I've noticed an abundant use of a particular contraction. Now, for southeners (in the USA) like myself, we're used to all kinds of crazy contractions. My personal favourite is "dog'll." As in "that dog'll hunt." [Which for the unintiated means - "the present suggestion seems viable."] Of course, southerners are notorious for our favourite contraction ("y'all") our second person plural (you all) lacking in standard English - which seriously hinders translating the New Testament into english!!!

The contraction i wish to discuss is "th'gospel." When people in my context use it, they almost never define or describe or unpack it. It is used, however, in constant connection with the benefits of salvation for individuals.

Usually (loosely - according to usage) it seems to mean, "the assurance of salvation" or the doctrine by which we give assurance - justification by faith.

I think most people who use the contraction mean "atonement PLUS justification" and sometimes mean - more fully - the whole ordo salutis (whole range of the application of salvation in its logical order).

In my context, however, what it almost never means is - the kingdom of God - in any sense. When that phrase is used, it generally refers to Churchy stuff in a vague sort of way - such as - "give to kingdom causes."

Why do we use words in this manner? Does it matter that our favourite word is gospel but that we rarely, if ever, use it the way Jesus did? Does it matter that when Jesus used the term Gospel he referred to the kingdom, and while we do NOT do that, when we talk about the kingdom - clearly Jesus' main topic - we are exceedingly vague?