Kilter

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Kilter

Postby Dr. Goodword » Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:39 pm

• kilter •


Pronunciation: kil-têr • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Noun, mass

Meaning: Good condition, health, tune, or spirits.

Notes: Kilter is another word on its last leg that we would like to rescue from the lexical boneyard. We hear it today almost exclusively in the expression "out of kilter". However, the use of this Good Word is by no means limited to a single negative phrase.

In Play: Dr. Goodword is frequently asked, "If something is not out of kilter, is it 'in kilter'?" "Yes," is always the good doctor's answer: "Everyone at the party was in good kilter so the party was a great success." Anything that can be out of kilter can as well be in good kilter: "The choir is sounding better, but their music still isn't in perfect kilter."

Word History: Today's Good Word is a corruption of kelter, but a corruption that began in the middle of the 17th century, so there is little chance of going back now. Kelter is still preserved in some British dialects, but kilter clearly is favored today. The question is, then, where does kelter come from and the straightforward answer is that no one has the foggiest notion. No semantically related words resembling kelter can be found in English or any other language in its family. That leaves us with little more to say about this word except to thank Perry Dror for his contribution to keeping our Good Word series in high kilter by suggesting fascinating words like today's.
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Slava
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Re: Kilter

Postby Slava » Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:02 am

A more euphonious way of saying one is in keen kilter is 'fine fettle'. Fine enough to be treated a second time, here. We could even go the other way and retain the alliteration with 'foul fettle.'
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Re: Kilter

Postby David Myer » Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:21 am

Not sure why, but I have always associated kilter with orbits. If something is on its correct repetitive path, it is in kilter. A bicycle wheel with some loose spokes is out of kilter; it has that wobble as it rotates. Is there some possible association with another word in this area? A kilt can swirl? Wikipedia says of kilt: The Scots word derives from the Old Norse kjalta (meaning 'lap', 'fold of a gathered skirt').
And we do laps round an athletics track?

Well, at least I am trying.

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Slava
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Re: Kilter

Postby Slava » Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:35 am

And we know how trying you can be? :shock:

Engines and lives can also be out of kilter, though, can they not? Or, say, a general aura at a party or meeting? As in something is awry, amiss, out of whack, etc.?
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

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Re: Kilter

Postby David Myer » Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:34 pm

Certainly, but maybe such usage was a metaphorical extension from an orbit origin? Still trying.


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