Enthusiastic Excitement

Interchangeable words, indeed.
But, the present day popular word amongst youngster, techies, students etc is ‘exciting offers’. They use the other word more often in a negative context , with lack of enthusiasm, not feeling /do not feel enthusiastic etc… A few decades ago, the leader was supposed to ‘enthuse’ the followers/comrades with a fiery spirited speech. But the guardians of English language seem to dissuade the use of the word ‘enthuse’ in the same context as enthusiasm. And then the ‘meaning’ of the one is used to explain the meaning of the other!

So, when a question came up, to try to find out the subtle difference (if any), I took the bait. The answer or the rewards there of does not really prove anything conclusively, as long as dictionaries do not vouch for it. But it is always worth while to feel relaxed a bit, taking a look at these ‘encouraging’ words!

Psn(27th January, 2011)

http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110123195226AAtyFa7
True or false --Enthusiasm is not the same as just being excited.?

My reply:
Very true.
Enthusiasm is a very deep emotion, which may or may not manifest.
Love creates an enthusiasm to meet a beloved person, despite hurdles to travel etc, and can give fulfillment even by meeting of eyes, or minds, or thoughts etc.
A woman can be forced to get excited against her wish/desire (enthusiasm about physical relationship), by physical force, etc.
Why, even chemistry used the word 'excited' about sub atomic particles, when 'charged' with some energy(magnetic, electric, chemical etc)!
Excitement is usually short lived. Enthusiasm on the other hand helps us to cross that 'breaking-point' too, like during the exam days, the body, mind feels fatigues and tired, but an enthusiastic student overcomes these and continues beyond the breaking point, to perform better.