One word for John Cole

[Zeno]

Condominiumized.


Say that 10 times in a row. If fact, just say it out loud once and then use it in ten sentences. I extracted the above "word" from a sentence that went:

"For Sale condominiumized apartments"

Where are the French word police when they are really needed. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

-Zeno

[John Cole]

Zeno,

Hell, I rant when someone uses "impact" as a verb.

Sentence one: "I used to be housified, but now I am condominiumized."

Or title of a country-western song: "Downsized, Paralyzed, and Condominiumized"

[MMMMMM]

Well, it is a verb, isn't it?;-)

Main Entry: im·pact
Pronunciation: im-'pakt
Function: verb
Etymology: Latin impactus, past participle of impingere to push against -- more at IMPINGE
Date: 1601
transitive senses
1 a : to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging b : to press together
2 a : to have an impact on : impinge on b : to strike forcefully; also : to cause to strike forcefully
intransitive senses
1 : to have an impact
2 : to impinge or make contact especially forcefully
- im·pac·tive /im-'pak-tiv/ adjective
- im·pac·tor also im·pact·er /-t&r/ noun

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Interestingly the fact that many words in English can be used as verbs and as nouns and as...means that English has some inherent flexibility not found in some other languages. Hence my prior argument that English is the richest and most descriptive language due to having the largest vocabulary should be amended to include this principle as well--which just makes English even 'more better';)

I'm really just trying to develop an accurate world view; that's why I compare things so much--andyfox et al seem to prefer the "feel-good" of assumptions of relative equality, and fear (somewhat rightly) the dangers of believing some things are "better" than some other things. But I think that an accurate world view is most important of all, because if our ideas do not conform to reality, what good are they?--they are not "real,", so to speak. So any true comfort to be had can be found in reality, else it is not true comfort. And if reality seems too uncomfortable at times perhaps that is largely a function of focus.

[John Cole]

M,

Yes, it's a verb, and I agree it's been used as such for quite a long time. But, for some reason, I just don't like it. I'm sure I'm too prickly about this one, but I feel like a politician is speaking to me when I hear it.

John

[MMMMMM]

Are there any other words you have this feeling about?

[John Cole]

M,

Your question makes me sound like a lunatic. /images/graemlins/grin.gif Unfortunately, I have a list of words that set me off. "Condominiumized," for one, makes the list. Here's a few more: thing, aspect, experience, and relationship (god, how I hate relationship, as in "I'm having trouble with my relationship"). These are in the vague class. "Prioritize" makes me batty, along with many verbs ending in "ize." "Interface with" used for "talk to." I am not kidding, M, I've heard sane people (well, deans) say this.

And I look at language and usage very leniently. Imagine what torments a strict grammarian.

John

[Wake up CALL]

[ QUOTE ]


And I look at language and usage very leniently. Imagine what torments a strict grammarian.

John

[/ QUOTE ]

Errr John, might a Rap song qualify? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Zeno]

Ground-truthing

My dictionary has no entry for truthing.

I stumbled across this hyphenated disease while editing a semi-meaningless document that is driving me to drink tequila. Suppose I ask you to go to Las Vegas and see if the 700 lb Elvis story is true. Is that “ground-truthing” or just an excuse to get out of town and have a good time? Or is it more akin to truth being ground up like coffee beans to become something more truthful?

I'm glad I'm going on vacation very soon, the sooner the better because I'm sure it will just get worser and worser until it’s the woserest that it can be.

My conscience is numb
My bum is rum
My brain is rummy
The hieroglyphics I decipher
Were penned by a rummy mummy.


If I must suffer, so shall you. It’s an old, old, very old story.

-Zeno

[Robk]

multitask, internalize, disconnect (used as a noun), ponder, spirituality, impugn, oppugn, desensitize, proselytize, martyrdom, bliss, fetter, animosity, proactive, dearth

This is fun.

[KJS]

My two least favorite English words: nice and fun

I can't think of two more general, useless words in the language. "Everyone at the party was so nice, I had a fun time. We ate really nice food, played fun games, and everyone looked so nice. What a fun group of people." Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

You can read (probably have, actually) David Foster Wallace's Harper's article for great insight into the mind of the strict grammarian/usage snob.

KJS