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Joined: Aug 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
I regularly read a periodical written in the US which makes frequent use of the word "happifying" meaning, apparently, something which makes one happy or generates a sense of happiness. I loathe the word, and can't seem to find it anywhere, and wondered if it was a very recent US neologism, or just an idiosyncratic aberration on the part of this particular periodical's editors. I have done a search for the word in AWADtalk archives and came up empty, so hoefuly I won't be YARTed on this one either. 
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Joined: Jul 2000
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double yuk! torch their headquarters ;0)
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
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max, I think you made this one up just to be original!!
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
I don't think our Max needs any outside help in being original! That sounds to me quite typical of an American trying (and failing!) to be "cute".
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Joined: Mar 2000
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RIGHT ON! sez lusy in a very heartfelt way
How have yez orl been, in me absence enyway?
Good ter be bak at larst,
lusydog
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
In reply to:
a periodical written in the US which makes frequent use of the word "happifying"
I think this periodical should be named and shamed. We could deluge them with letters from unhappified logophiles until they promise never to do it again.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
max, I think you made this one up just to be original!!
Would that it were so! Here is one exmple of the abomination in use:
"An effort is made to reach people on buses and those who come to the cities to do business or to shop. This has led to happifying results."
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
gadzooks!! it's an inflection of an OLD word -- would that this one had withered on the vine. (see 1955 citation)
happify - to make happy (Now U.S.)
1612 Sylvester. This Prince...One short Mis-hap for ever Happifies. 1656 S. H. Gold. It will surely conduce to prolong your days, besides happyfying them. 1786 I. Perkins Poems in H. R. Stiles Bundling To happyfy his life. 1837–40 Haliburton Clockm. (1862) 79 If that don't happify your heart, then my name's not Sam Slick. 1875 M. B. Eddy Science & Health vi. 315 To happify existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to elevate it is the true motive for marriage. 1892 Spectator 9 Apr. 497/1 Finding infants whom she could wash and dress and happify among the alleys and courts of the East-End. 1905 Daily Chron. 13 July 4/4 Her jargon about ‘happifying existence’ jars upon one after the Scriptural phrase, ‘making glad the hearts of men’. 1945 L. Shelly Jive Talk Dict. 12/2 Happify, to make happy. 1955 Watchtower 15 Mar. 182/2 Keeping these happifying thoughts in mind, we are determined to maintain our integrity faithfully. [OED]
I am mortified.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
I am mortified.
Definitely not happified!
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