Search found 1146 matches

by David Myer
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:15 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Insult
Replies: 5
Views: 261

Re: Insult

Cole Porter was a clever man. I can't put the music to the words, but the words are fine.
by David Myer
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:37 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Insult
Replies: 5
Views: 261

Re: Insult

Certainly an interesting hypothesis, Brogine. The verb needs to sound more dynamic. I will have to consider this one over time! No argument that some generalities can be valid - certainly as generalities. Also interested to read that sally (forth) is from the original root that spawned salire, to le...
by David Myer
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:21 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Eccentric
Replies: 5
Views: 2833

Re: Eccentric

Well Barbara, you certainly don't sound crazy to me. And really, even eccentricity (or Slava's eccentrality) seem a little beyond the activities you describe. It all sounds thoroughly normal although certainly more adventurous than most. Good luck with it all and do continue to have fun despite the ...
by David Myer
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:35 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Eccentric
Replies: 5
Views: 2833

Re: Eccentric

So Barbara, do you need more or less money than you currently have, in order to be considered eccentric? Is a crazy person more or less wealthy than an eccentric one?
by David Myer
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Obfuscate
Replies: 1
Views: 160

Re: Obfuscate

Isn't obfuscation generally a deliberate or intended obscuring? Otherwise we should surely use obscure. Am I right? 'Your use of long Latin based words tends to obscure your meaning' suggests gentle advice to find clearer words. But when it obfuscates your meaning, it suggests you are deliberately d...
by David Myer
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:13 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Commemoration
Replies: 5
Views: 53090

Re: Commemoration

Well done all round. The team there has certainbly provided much joy to a lot of people, and yes, we have learned a fair bit on the journey. Thank you, team.
by David Myer
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Bigfoot
Replies: 5
Views: 4652

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: 261

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: 366

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: 209

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: 728

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: 3258

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: 261

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: 240

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: 278

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...

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