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by David Myer
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Bigfoot
Replies: 5
Views: 4520

Re: Bigfoot

The context of your Canadian quote, bnj, suggests a meaning like "stomping on". Sort of similar to The Good Doctor's meaning 3. But there are so many better words that don't carry mystery or ambiguity in their meanings. I would call it sloppy usage.
by David Myer
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:19 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Hypocorism
Replies: 3
Views: 108

Re: Hypocorism

Cobber is old fashioned, but it is a generic name for a man whose name you don't know but with whom you are passing the time of day. "G'Day, Cobber." Equivalent of Jimmy in Scotland, Jacques in France and Tommy (I think) in England of the first world war era.
by David Myer
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:59 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Bathos
Replies: 1
Views: 280

Re: Bathos

Well, meaning 2. is the one I am familiar with. Comedians and comic writers use bathos in humour. "I was beaten by the world champion, the national champion, last year's winner and my own failure to turn up in time for the start." It is a very useful technique for adding colour and interes...
by David Myer
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:35 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Meritocracy
Replies: 2
Views: 91

Re: Meritocracy

This is a modern word (that is, it was invented in my lifetime). It was very popular in the days of Harold Wilson and Edward Heath in post-war England. It was not applied to government so much as to everyday life. It was used to start to dismantle the class system that so pervaded British society, b...
by David Myer
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:14 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Luftmensch
Replies: 4
Views: 602

Re: Luftmensch

Presuming Leo wrote the Preface, we can credit him with excellent writing skills. Simple, clear and informative. Bravo. Certainly not a luftmensh.
by David Myer
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:08 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Deodorant
Replies: 2
Views: 3144

Re: Deodorant

It's odd - even paradoxical - that deodorants are usually scented. But you can't call them descents or descent(d)ants because they are already taken.
by David Myer
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:02 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Hypocorism
Replies: 3
Views: 108

Re: Hypocorism

I was greeted this morning by a passing stranger who called me cobber. I have to say that these days, even in Australia, that is pretty unusual. But if I had responded "Thanks for that hypocorism", I guess I would have garnered a less affectionate title. Presumably even hostile ones are hy...
by David Myer
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:53 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Lambaste
Replies: 2
Views: 124

Re: Lambaste

Nice word. I wonder whether a lambaste is more aggressive than a castigation. Presumably castigate and chastise are related, but I would rather be chastised than castigated. There's no shortage of synonyms here though - reprimand, tell off, dress down, and dozens more. I think we need a list of them...
by David Myer
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:45 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Dust-up
Replies: 1
Views: 245

Re: Dust-up

If its first use was late 19th century, its orgin would likely be from Boxing which was codified by the Marquess of Queensbury in about 1867. Of course unregulated boxing has happened for millenia. But either way, early fights would have certainly raised some dust. That is surely more likely the ori...
by David Myer
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:23 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Estimable
Replies: 8
Views: 2900

Re: Estimable

I am with you Slava, on this one. If esteem has taken over estimable, as it clearly has, then 'estimatable' is necessary to convey meaning 2. Love your sqush, Brogine, by the way. It should be widely used, just for the joy of its missing vowel feature. I will endeavour to introduce it in my limited ...
by David Myer
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:51 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Commensurate
Replies: 6
Views: 5404

Re: Commensurate

Yes, this is the problem with Latin based words. Too long. Let's get back to the Olde English.
by David Myer
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:50 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Courtesan
Replies: 7
Views: 1724

Re: Courtesan

Pleased to hear that you were not an applicant, Debby. Although I am sure if you turned your mind to it, you would have found yourself well-qualified. Certainly an interesting role, especially around the court or political higher echelons.
by David Myer
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:21 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Commensurate
Replies: 6
Views: 5404

Re: Commensurate

Thinking further about this, I fear I am malapropiciously confused. I probably mean remuneration, not commensuration - although it does sort of fit.
by David Myer
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:17 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Prestige
Replies: 3
Views: 234

Re: Prestige

And now I look at the Suggestions board and see that both these points were covered in the original suggestion. Might they sensibly be added to the Discussion board discourse?
by David Myer
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:14 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Prestige
Replies: 3
Views: 234

Re: Prestige

So if prestige meant deceit or deception in the early 1800s, how did its meaning morph to today's high-standing? Might it be that the high-standing was originally unjustified, or the result of deceit?

And prestidigitation of course, is conjuring, even today.

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