 |
 |
Little used English words
| March 23rd, 2017 at 12:17:03 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | I was thinking about the word pair opposite & apposite. Does anyone use "apposite" in writing or speech? |
| March 23rd, 2017 at 1:03:10 PM permalink | |
| odiousgambit Member since: Oct 28, 2012 Threads: 154 Posts: 5105 | only when apposite - which has turned out to be never. I'm Still Standing, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah [it's an old guy chant for me] |
| March 23rd, 2017 at 2:19:43 PM permalink | |
| Ayecarumba Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 89 Posts: 1744 | I have never used the word. Rather, "appropriate" "applicable" or "matching" instead. |
| March 24th, 2017 at 6:22:05 AM permalink | |
| zippyboy Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 2 Posts: 665 | amused vs. bemused |
| March 24th, 2017 at 7:21:51 AM permalink | |
| Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
I don't think I've even come across it. But given current trends, it should replace "opposite" in no time. You know, like "then" replaced "than" for some insane reason. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
| March 24th, 2017 at 5:13:57 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
That is a good example! The original primary meaning of "amuse" was "deceive, cheat" by first occupying the attention. That meaning is now totally obsolete. "Bemuse" retains more of the original meaning of "amuse".
I saw the word "apposite" in an article only recently, and I had to look it up. A good word is to whip out is "evitable" (which was discussed in "In the Loop" the British political satire. Most people don't know that "eviable" is a word, although they frequently use the word "inevitable". |
| March 24th, 2017 at 5:46:24 PM permalink | |
| Ayecarumba Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 89 Posts: 1744 | Has anyone offered "proffer" |
| March 24th, 2017 at 6:07:14 PM permalink | |
| Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
But is "blain" an English word? Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
| March 24th, 2017 at 11:22:03 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
Yes, but I have never seen it used. It is also one of several English spellings of a Gaelic name.
Not yet, nor has anyone suggested "profer". |
| March 25th, 2017 at 6:09:36 AM permalink | |
| Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
I saw it used in a Black Widower story by Asimov. One of the characters asks "Is "blain" an English word?" Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |