smashing

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Eileen Opiolka
Lexiterian
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Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:50 am

smashing

Postby Eileen Opiolka » Sun Oct 02, 2016 6:07 am

Scottish Gaelic for "That's great" is
's math sin - pronounced "smàshin".
Smashing probably isn't the most modern word for "great", but I wonder if it is linked to the Gaelic.

By the way, I haven't had an GoodWord email since 28th August. Is Dr. Goodword ok or is it my server?

Eileen

Perry Lassiter
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Re: smashing

Postby Perry Lassiter » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:43 pm

Doc had bypass surgery. Posted first GoodWord in the last day or two.

Smashing as an adjective - I've always thought came from the verb smash, like a crashing bore could easily be a smashing bore. The other etymology is fascinating, and we may have declined it through folk etymology.
pl

Perry Lassiter
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Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
Location: RUSTON, LA
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Re: smashing

Postby Perry Lassiter » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:45 pm

Also has connotation of pseudo upper class, esp British like Oscar Wilde or a James Thurber spoof.
pl

Eileen Opiolka
Lexiterian
Posts: 103
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:50 am

Re: smashing

Postby Eileen Opiolka » Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:42 pm

Many thanks. And to Doc my warmest and sincerest best wishes.


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