I am wondering if there is a term for this circumstance we have with a specific word in French.

The word PLUS means both ''more'' and ''no more'' - completely opposite meanings for the same word. Sometimes, you'll see advertising with this word and it's always a bit of an issue whether they mean one or the other.

For example, an insurance company is currently using it. They meant to say that with their policy you have more money in your pocket when you put in a claim, but people are laughing and saying that it's the first time an insurance company is being truthful by telling you you'll have no more money in your pocket.

Do you know of any word like this in English. What would this be called?

Autoantonym.

An example might be fast - as in tied fast, moving fast.

http://www.wordsmith.org/words/chuffed.html

Thanks Mav. There was a slew of other examples in that page. I find this concept very interesting.

Would you mind explaining to me how you went about finding the word? I'd like to see the rest of the words that appeared that week.

BelM:

Can you please explain a bit more the two uses of plus, citing an example? I've wracked my brain and cannot think of the plus that means "no more".

Thanks

TEd

It is strictly an idiosyncrasy of the word PLUS in French TEd. It can mean both things, and, depending upon the sentence, will sound exactly the same when spoken. You have to interpret the meaning based on the speaker’s expression, what you were talking about, and what he says afterwards.

In the insurance ad, you see a claim form and it is written:

''Avec Capital, il vous reste plus d’argent dans vos poches.'' They mean: With Capital, you’ll be left with more money in your pockets, however, with PLUS meaning both MORE and NO MORE in French, the ad is a bit ridiculous since it can also mean that With Capital, you’ll be left with no more money in your pockets.

It is evident that the advertising copy was created by an English firm since a French firm would have known the dual meaning of PLUS and framed the sentence differently.

<<It is evident that the advertising copy was created by an English firm since a French firm would have known the dual meaning of PLUS and framed the sentence differently.>>

Alone, reason enough for anglo secession.

> finding the word?

I cheated bel - I already knew it :) I also recalled that Anu had done something on it once so I did a google limited to this site.

Well, my bubble has bursted...and here I thought you were all-knowing.