|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3 |
Is "uncasual" a word? Neither my COD nor m-w.com lists it, but I have seen it being used, and it seems like it ought to be allowed. :-)
Thanks,
--Sanjay
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
welcome, sanjayrag!
why wouldn't you use "formal"?
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I think there ought to be a word for dress that is not casual, but not necessarily formal. One can look out of place at a beach party in a business suit which is not actually formal. But I don't have a good word for it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
dress that is not casual, but not necessarily formalOver this side of the Pond we just talk about "smart casual" wear, Bill. Suits me . I think uncasual has a place as an ironic term, though. Think about the difference between: 1. He had a formal manner. 2. He had a casual manner. 3. He had an uncasual manner. To me it implies that the subject is trying to look casual (and relaxed) but is failing to carry it off. Stilted, perhaps.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3 |
Well, it made a big difference in my Scrabble game last night. I just want to know if "uncasual" exists in any dictionary. Re usage I can see its application when you want a different shade of meaning for "formal".
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
well, according to Official Scrabble® Player's Dictionary, 3rd Edition, you lose. http://www.hasbroscrabble.com/pl/page.toolbox/dn/home.cfmunsurprisingly, it's not in W3 (same publisher); I don't have OED access at the moment, but can check later..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
Then who in their *right mind would allow "informal" into the fold? [ducking-e]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Are you suggesting 'incasual" might be a better alternative?
Dyoooood!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I don't have OED access at the moment...Show-off.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
no, i think he is just pointing out the unfair, illogical stance.. the allow formal and informal, and (formal and) casual, but not (casual and) uncasual..
formal and informal is not the same as casual..
I might formally adress someone as Dr Smith, in a public setting, but in private i would be informal, and call them Joan. but i might also be casual, and call someone Dr. Joan, (or as we do here, Dr bill!) uncasual is a bit harder, but i see it as valid word. (scrabble dictionary not withstanding!)
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,512
Members9,187
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
204
guests, and
2
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|