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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
The in- in inflammable is a Latin prefix meaning into, as has been noted by several people. The in- in inoperable is also ultimately from Latin, meaning not. the -oper- part is from the Latin operari, to work, related to opus.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
...and words can shift from noun to verb at the drop of a hat.
What hat?
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...we make up new words whenever necessary,convenient or just when we get bored...
I suspeck Ingrish ain't da only onez.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
A couple of years ago, we toyed with the idea of handing out awaRds (funniest, most original, most arcane, &c). I don't think much came of that, but maybe this year we could be on the look-out for Most Mediocre Post? Surely there'll be a lot of contendahs.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Wonder what the precise verb would be to aspire to mediocrity? Certainly not aspire. What is it when you want to fall a lower level of achievement? Seems there would be a useful verb for that.
De-aspire to mediocrity?
Certainly not despair to mediocrity...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
This is, of course, assuming the starting point (or even the goal, for that matter) is *higher than mediocrity.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
I realize there are technical reasons but it still looks funny to my ESL friends. Plus I am easily amused.  As for aspiring to mediocrity, I thought the accusation was that we conspire to it.[finger laid alongside the nose e]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
[finger laid alongside the nose e]My education in this ^ has been lacking, one might even say...mediocre. What does it mean? 
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
D'oh! Now I remember! Thanks 
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
Wonder what the precise verb would be to aspire to mediocrity ~ Wordwind
With a quick cross-thread - how about 'downshifting'?
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