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#65737 04/16/2002 9:27 PM
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bartleby's WWD today (http://bartleby.com/61/74/F0277400.html):
foudroyant: ADJECTIVE: 1. Dazzling or stunning in effect. ETYMOLOGY: French, from present participle of foudroyer, to strike with lightning
(Honest count: who knew this one before reading this? Not I! )

What a wonderful compliment! "My dear, you look positively foudroyant in that dress tonight."

Perhaps some more words that deserve to be added to our vocabulary of compliment?


#65738 04/16/2002 9:46 PM
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Dear Ken: I'm a certifiable curmudgeon, especially in terms used to describe feminine apparel. Foudroyant and even worse "stunning" suggest a disagreeable effect.


#65739 04/16/2002 10:19 PM
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#65740 04/16/2002 11:03 PM
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Dear tsuwm: In looking at your list of "f"words, and seeing "frap" reminded me of frappé, which in New England is milk with ice cream beaten into it without accent on final "e", and pronounced to rhyme with "trap". A Boston nurse told me about a date with Mexican surgical resident, who in ice-cream parlor proudly ordered two chocolate craps.


#65741 04/16/2002 11:39 PM
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"stunning" suggest[s] a disagreeable effect ??? dr. bill, on this particular one I'm going to disagree with you. But let's ask the ladies, who are after all the ultimate authories on what ladies consider complimentary.

Jacqulyn, you look absolutely stunning in red.

P.S. to tsuwm: Well, of course it's no surprise that you knew that word!

#65742 04/17/2002 2:13 PM
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"stunning" suggest[s] a disagreeable effect.


I'm with you, Dr. Bill. From Merriam-Webster on-line:

stun
Function: transitive verb

1 : to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow : DAZE
2 : to shock with noise
3 : to overcome especially with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief



#65743 04/17/2002 2:17 PM
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but if you read on, from Merriam-Webster on-line:
Main Entry: stunˇning
Function: adjective
Date: 1667
1 : causing astonishment or disbelief
2 : strikingly impressive especially in beauty or excellence


()

#65744 04/17/2002 3:20 PM
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Much as I appreciate your thoughts, I'd like to know what the women would perceive as a compliment. Because, tswum and faldage, I am extremely unlikely to ever tell either of you gentlemen that you look stunning in your red dress!


#65745 04/17/2002 4:01 PM
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Believe me, Keiva, if you ever see me in a red dress you will be stunned. ;)


#65746 04/17/2002 4:09 PM
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you will be stunned. ;)

but, dahling, I keep telling you that blue does nothing for your skin tones, yet will you listen...?


#65747 04/17/2002 4:17 PM
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I'm with Mav, Faldage: I'd love to see you in a red dress!

A special AWAD production of Lysistrata with Faldage playing _______________________--foudroyantly! stunningly!

Best roles,
WilliamWordwright


#65748 04/17/2002 4:38 PM
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okay - here's one chick-take on it all:
The first time I went to the ballet, I wore a new dress and did the whole make-up thing, and was most gratified when my beau at the time told me I looked stunning.


#65749 04/17/2002 7:22 PM
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I think when someone tells you you're stunning it's generally meant as a compliment, and I don't know that I would ever take it another way. Isn't the goal occasionally to look so beautiful a man is left speechless? He's stunned, you're stunning.


#65750 04/17/2002 10:11 PM
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#65751 04/17/2002 10:26 PM
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ewein, you are stunning!

(lurking all day finally pays off!)

#65752 04/17/2002 10:30 PM
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Thinking it over. Hmmmm .... I would consider "stunning" a compliment.
Considering further it came to me I was not told I was stunning until I was well out of my teens. Before that I had my share of compliments but ... do you think a teen could be stunning or does it take more poise - more maturity - to be a stunning woman. Stunning teen doesn't feel or sound right to me! As for these days I am delighted to hear "Lookin' good!"




#65753 04/17/2002 10:48 PM
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I agree very few teens are stunning.

Let me clarify that, I would rarely call a teen, or a man stunning. And those men that are stunning are usually, as previously pointed out, wearing a dress.

#65754 04/17/2002 10:52 PM
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I am delighted to hear "Lookin' good!"
Lookin' good, wow!
[the final word being an adjective as well as a name ]


#65755 04/17/2002 11:27 PM
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Instead of spending a lot of money on style, carry a slaughter house stun gun, and an electric stock prod, for those males who like to be stunned and electrified. Closing my Oscar the Grouch trashcan lid.


#65756 04/18/2002 1:35 AM
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I agree very few teens are stunning.

Gee . . . thanks.


#65757 04/18/2002 9:33 AM
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I thought you knew......you, Jazzo, are one of the few. [Mama-smooch]


#65758 04/18/2002 3:04 PM
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Sorry Jazz, I forgot to say you look stunning in that red dress. Did Faldage help you pick it out?



#65759 04/18/2002 3:10 PM
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faldage: Believe me, Keiva, if you ever see me in a red dress you will be stunned. ;)

Ah, but faldage, you do remember the mav's legs thread?
{started by Max, who apparently has an interest therein}

[self would have pretty good legs if he shaved them -e]





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