|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
In another forum, a user accused me of "overting the real issue". I'm pretty sure that I should have taken umbrage, but I left my umbrage exactly where it was and did not take it anywhere, simply because I don't know what "overt" means as a verb.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Since overt is pretty much the opposite of covert and covert means hidden and since we're verbing an adjective I guess "overting the real issue" means you're bringing the real issue out in the open. Dunno 'bout you but I wouldn't take that as an accusation.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
Since overt is pretty much the opposite of covert and covert means hidden and since we're verbing an adjective I guess "overting the real issue" means you're bringing the real issue out in the open. Dunno 'bout you but I wouldn't take that as an accusation.
Thanks. I shall continue to leave my umbrage untaken.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
that doesn't even make sense out of context -- overt's not covert, so were you uncovering the real issue? (overt never has been a verb, and as a noun (obs. rare) meant an opening.)
what do you suppose was meant? obscuring the issue? diverting the issue? obverting the issue??
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
what do you suppose was meant? obscuring the issue? diverting the issue? obverting the issue??
I read it as (d) Any or all of the above.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 270
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 270 |
Perhaps he/she meant "averting the issue"?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I'm with Faldage on this one. it would be a "hip" usage for exposing the elephant.
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
OF course it would be easier to tell from context, but a guy I useta know in Chi town might have used such a phrase to contrast with someone else using the word "subvert", so he would have been implying the 'over' was kind of opposite to 'sub~'. In other words, accusing you of flying a distraction over the head of the *real subject. Just my WAG... 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
OF course it would be easier to tell from context, but a guy I useta know in Chi town might have used such a phrase to contrast with someone else using the word "subvert", so he would have been implying the 'over' was kind of opposite to 'sub~'. In other words, accusing you of flying a distraction over the head of the *real subject. Just my WAG...
Maybe it's a regional usage. The post was made by someone from The Windy City.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427 |
Like Logwood, I assumed it was a misspelling of "avert". As if you were avoiding the real issue. Just my take. 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
> misspelling ah, no, Marianna, they're *far more creative in the Windy City... you have to listen to the underlying musick of the language and guess at the multiple choice meanings! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
