"Many authors of usage guides, editors, teachers, and others feel strongly that such “absolute†words as complete, equal, perfect, and especially unique cannot be compared because of their “meaningâ€: a word that denotes an absolute condition cannot be described as denoting more or less than that absolute condition. However, all such words have undergone semantic development and are used in a number of senses, some of which can be compared by words like more, very, most, absolutely, somewhat, and totally and some of which cannot."
Look all I'm saying is that people who can't accept that popular usage can and does change words are people who are basically advocating we should never have strayed from old english. It happens. I agree with you that it's a little odd, but its really not that big of a deal.
That said, shit like irregardless deserves the death penalty.
#pipeCocky Stride, Musky odoursPope of Chili TownRegistered Userregular
edited March 2009
Man I don't have a problem with the language evolving.
I do, however, have problems with people using a word incorrectly when there already exists a word for the situation, and in the process, diluting the misused word.
By which I mean "very unique" could be substituted with "very unusual" and the sentiment would be conveyed accurately.
Accepting misuse of "unique" and "literally" and the like means that a word no longer exists with their absolute definition. It is taking two different words with two different definitions, making both words have one definition and leaving the other definition wordless. It is promoting ambiguity in the language, something which we should strive to eliminate.
But it's not taking unusual's definition. Just because two words are synonyms doesn't mean they have the same definition, that's like saying hot and scalding mean exactly the same thing.
Unusual just means not common or ordinary. When people use unique this way it usually means something more along the lines of 'worthy of being considered in a class by itself, extraordinary' (ripped from a usage note on dictionary.com again).
Unique isn't "definitionless" now as you describe, it still has its own meaning, it's just evolved slightly.
I will say though that I've never heard the word literally used as you describe, and that sounds like its just a case of people not knowing what a word or phrase means. It sounds almost like when people say "I could care less".
It means there is nothing else like it in existence.
Something can't be very unique or a little bit unique - it's either unique or not.
say "totally unique" or "very unusual"
yeah
don't care at all
are you one of those guys who says
"man, it is literally raining cats and dogs outside
I should of bought my umbrella"
no
but I'm also not the asshole who corrects other people
I asked you quite politely
you're the one who called me "fucking dumb"
you should not have said anything at all
Zombiemambo on
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#pipeCocky Stride, Musky odoursPope of Chili TownRegistered Userregular
edited March 2009
Have you never seen Jamie Oliver?
He says "literally" at least a dozen times per episode. "Watch this pot until it's literally boiling its head off"
Also I disagree with you about Unusual being a synonym of Unique. Something that happens a lot is commonplace, or usual. Something that happens less often is unusual. Something that happens once is unique. They are varying degrees of the same thing, but not synonyms - like hot and scalding.
Posts
amazon only shows other Adult Swim DVDs when I search for Superjail.
I fucking hate that episode
the first couple episodes of Flapjack were good and pretty funny but now it's mostly really disturbing
what was the last episode? I heard that the kid leaves and the imaginary friend gets adopted.
I am saying this
and so it is writ
pipe down
too bad the show isn't very funny
Your mom is terrible
alternatively:
that's what I told your mom last night, but the neighbors still came by to complain
I like the episode where they compete with Megaprison
I don't have a source handy, but there is an Adventure Time series in the works
huh?
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
It's lacking in blatant and such, but it's still terribly amusing from start to finish.
This is because of brilliant stuff like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVOLigSw1jM
SHIT IS CRAZY!
please don't do this
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
Blatant punchlines, I mean.
do what
ignore you because you're fucking dumb
Unique is an absolute.
It means there is nothing else like it in existence.
Something can't be very unique or a little bit unique - it's either unique or not.
say "totally unique" or "very unusual"
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
yeah
don't care at all
are you one of those guys who says
"man, it is literally raining cats and dogs outside
I should of bought my umbrella"
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
I lost it when DiMaggio spoke
no
but I'm also not the asshole who corrects other people
no it's America's Funniest Home Videos: extra blows to the groin edition
you're the one who called me "fucking dumb"
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
"Many authors of usage guides, editors, teachers, and others feel strongly that such “absolute†words as complete, equal, perfect, and especially unique cannot be compared because of their “meaningâ€: a word that denotes an absolute condition cannot be described as denoting more or less than that absolute condition. However, all such words have undergone semantic development and are used in a number of senses, some of which can be compared by words like more, very, most, absolutely, somewhat, and totally and some of which cannot."
Look all I'm saying is that people who can't accept that popular usage can and does change words are people who are basically advocating we should never have strayed from old english. It happens. I agree with you that it's a little odd, but its really not that big of a deal.
That said, shit like irregardless deserves the death penalty.
I do, however, have problems with people using a word incorrectly when there already exists a word for the situation, and in the process, diluting the misused word.
By which I mean "very unique" could be substituted with "very unusual" and the sentiment would be conveyed accurately.
Accepting misuse of "unique" and "literally" and the like means that a word no longer exists with their absolute definition. It is taking two different words with two different definitions, making both words have one definition and leaving the other definition wordless. It is promoting ambiguity in the language, something which we should strive to eliminate.
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
Unusual just means not common or ordinary. When people use unique this way it usually means something more along the lines of 'worthy of being considered in a class by itself, extraordinary' (ripped from a usage note on dictionary.com again).
Unique isn't "definitionless" now as you describe, it still has its own meaning, it's just evolved slightly.
I will say though that I've never heard the word literally used as you describe, and that sounds like its just a case of people not knowing what a word or phrase means. It sounds almost like when people say "I could care less".
you should not have said anything at all
He says "literally" at least a dozen times per episode. "Watch this pot until it's literally boiling its head off"
Also I disagree with you about Unusual being a synonym of Unique. Something that happens a lot is commonplace, or usual. Something that happens less often is unusual. Something that happens once is unique. They are varying degrees of the same thing, but not synonyms - like hot and scalding.
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
haven't been here long have you
(I know you have)
Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
or it'll get rough