wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

I see sometimes words evolve negative connotations, and people may only really have experience of a word with a negative connotation

take unctuous for example, not a word i’ve ever used, that I recall, well, it doesn’t seem to be in my mental library, just bumped into it

spoken it doesn’t feel (feel-sound) like a word I’d like to say too often, probably make a good swearword, barely sounds English to me. Written it might fair more favorably

transition said:

wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

I see sometimes words evolve negative connotations, and people may only really have experience of a word with a negative connotation

take unctuous for example, not a word i’ve ever used, that I recall, well, it doesn’t seem to be in my mental library, just bumped into it

spoken it doesn’t feel (feel-sound) like a word I’d like to say too often, probably make a good swearword, barely sounds English to me. Written it might fair more favorably

I use the word unctuous. Sometimes.

sarahs mum said:

transition said:

wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

I see sometimes words evolve negative connotations, and people may only really have experience of a word with a negative connotation

take unctuous for example, not a word i’ve ever used, that I recall, well, it doesn’t seem to be in my mental library, just bumped into it

spoken it doesn’t feel (feel-sound) like a word I’d like to say too often, probably make a good swearword, barely sounds English to me. Written it might fair more favorably

I use the word unctuous. Sometimes.

I’ll occasionally use it in conjunction with “creature” or similar, if warranted.

unctuous ointments.

sarahs mum said:

unctuous ointments.

unctuous unguents.

transition said:

wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

I see sometimes words evolve negative connotations, and people may only really have experience of a word with a negative connotation

take unctuous for example, not a word i’ve ever used, that I recall, well, it doesn’t seem to be in my mental library, just bumped into it

spoken it doesn’t feel (feel-sound) like a word I’d like to say too often, probably make a good swearword, barely sounds English to me. Written it might fair more favorably

> wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

Certainly. Some that I use as examples are:

Awful = Full of awe.

Discrimination = Identifying the difference.

Boss = A protuberant, domelike, mass of igneous rock, congealed beneath the surface and laid bare by erosion.

The Complete Oxford Dictionary used to be a superb reference for the evolution of words. Unfortunately, I lost my subscription when I retired, and also it may not be as good these days.

well some people really do consider the study of history to be important, similarly, there may be some value in studying etymology

SCIENCE said:

well some people really do consider the study of history to be important, similarly, there may be some value in studying etymology

It always helps to know what they mean when they say things. It is harder to get them to realise they are using the wrong word.
To say for example that something is just fucking awful, usually has nothing to do with being full of awe and this is how people can become enamoured with the rhetoric of others such as Trump followers.
It simply is a lack of knowledge and awareness of the power of words.

The word moist is Susie Dent’s least favourite word.
I haven’t had the pribilege to ask her why.

I’m not always gay but I try to be most of the time.

transition said:

wondering if to learn the contemporary meaning of a word, the concept, the feel of it, that to only be acquainted with the modern use tells you less than to know something of the evolution of a word

I see sometimes words evolve negative connotations, and people may only really have experience of a word with a negative connotation

take unctuous for example, not a word i’ve ever used, that I recall, well, it doesn’t seem to be in my mental library, just bumped into it

spoken it doesn’t feel (feel-sound) like a word I’d like to say too often, probably make a good swearword, barely sounds English to me. Written it might fair more favorably

It is mainly about context. Where and how the word is placed.

I do wonder how a citizen of the USA would pronounce unctuous or indeed spell it. I don’t recall hearing any of them use the word.