#81890
09/27/2002 2:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
Playing Scabble I came across a bit of a poser when I had the chance to write trepid in one spot and saw my chance to make it intrepid in another.
The poser has nothing to do with trepid but with the prefix "in"
Why does it mean not in some cases...intrepid, inescapable, inactive
and capable of in others...inflammable, inhabitable?
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#81892
09/27/2002 8:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
The poser has nothing to do with trepidOh, but I want to talk about "trepid".  In particular the fact that I've never ever heard or read the word. "Trepid ation" and " intrepid, yes. But I'd previously have considered "trepid" itself more root than word.
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#81893
09/27/2002 10:32 AM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I'd previously have considered "trepid" itself more root than word.
It's in the small-enough-to-pick-up-and-put-in-your-lap AHD.
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#81894
09/27/2002 10:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
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Posts: 1,346 |
>>I'd previously have considered "trepid" itself more root than word.
It's in the small-enough-to-pick-up-and-put-in-your-lap AHD.
For sure nunclage, but I'm in pure descriptivist mode this afternoon.
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#81895
09/27/2002 11:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Surely, ephew, if I've heard it it's been jocular (or is that joclear?) in the manner of couth.
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#81896
09/27/2002 11:43 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
if I've heard it it's been jocularHmmm. May be worth increased usage in that case. 
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#81897
09/27/2002 1:40 PM
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
I take it that none of you have seen Bush's announcement today? He said that US military scientists have found a way to get nuclear energy out of any solid, not just uranium or plutonium. In fact, they used an old Schwinn as a source of fuel rods. Bush said in closing, "Yep, they can fission a bike."
TEd
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#81898
09/27/2002 1:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
"Yep, they can fission a bike." TEd Remington - I was so impressed I bought his company.
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#81899
09/27/2002 10:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I checked the concise OED--desk edition--and trepid wasn't in it.
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#81900
09/28/2002 10:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
checked the concise OED
They concised it right out, huh? It's in the inconcise one.
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#81901
09/28/2002 10:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
The concise OED (obviously) leaves out lots of words. It's not called "The Concise OED" by the way. It's at school, so I can't even tell you what its title is. It's just a paperback quick reference I keep by my computer at school. But whatever it's called, it ain't got "trepid" in it.
But it did have the verb "to canton" in it!
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#81902
09/28/2002 4:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
It's in the online Websters too, for what that's worth.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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