Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#103773 05/20/03 02:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
The latest Vocabula Review has a particularly fine article about words by Julian Burnside. Just a small sample, he repeats legend that when Noah Webster's wife caught him embracing the maid, she said:"Noah, I'm surprised." He, still the lexicographer, said: "No, my dear.You are astonished. It is we who are surprised."
For new members, if you haven't gone there yet, do go
to www.julianburnside.com . Notice on first page at top, word Language. Click on it, and you will find material to keep you interested for many hours.


#103774 05/20/03 02:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Thanks a lot, Dr Bill. I'm supposed to be doing Real Work here, not submerging myself in the ramblings of some tantalizing wordjockey.


#103775 05/20/03 03:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Noah's observation, apocryphal or otherwise, doesn't work. Take a look at the third definition below for surprise in the transitive sense:

3 : to strike with wonder or amazement especially because unexpected
intransitive senses : to cause astonishment or surprise <her success didn't surprise>
- sur·pris·er noun
synonyms SURPRISE, ASTONISH, ASTOUND, AMAZE, FLABBERGAST mean to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. SURPRISE stresses causing an effect through being unexpected at a particular time or place rather than by being essentially unusual or novel <surprised to find them at home>. ASTONISH implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible <a discovery that astonished the world>. ASTOUND stresses the shock of astonishment <too astounded to respond>. AMAZE suggests an effect of bewilderment <amazed by the immense size of the place>. FLABBERGAST may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay <flabbergasted by his angry refusal>. " (MW Online)

I think Noah's wife was surprised along with Noah and the maid.


#103776 05/20/03 03:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Noah's wife was surprised

You might want to check when that sense crept into the language. Aparently it was beginning to, but Mr Webster would seem to have been enough of a prescriptivist to decry it.


#103777 05/20/03 03:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Yes, I considered the period of introduction for the third definition also. But I thought I'd go ahead and show the third definition for anyone who wondered whether that possibility existed.


#103778 05/20/03 03:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
...when that sense crept into the language

1655 Theophania 103 Alexandro acquainted him with the occasion of their coming thither, with which he was exceedingly surprised at first. 1687 A. LOVELL tr. Thevenot's Trav. I. 248 They..have Secrets which surprize the most knowing, many thinking them to be knacks of Magick. 1692 L'ESTRANGE Fables lxxi, People were not so much Frighted, as they were Surpriz'd at the Bigness, and Uncouth Deformity of the Camel. 1719 DE FOE Crusoe I. (Globe) 156, I was exceedingly surpriz'd with the Print of a Man's naked Foot on the Shore. 1768 GOLDSM. Good-n. Man III. i, You'll be surpriz'd, Sir, with this visit.


#103779 05/20/03 04:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Dear WW: Burnside's whole point was that important distinctions have become blurred by careless usage.
I admire Burnside very much.



#103780 05/20/03 05:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742
S
sjm Offline
old hand
Offline
old hand
S
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742
>Burnside's whole point was that important distinctions have become blurred by careless usage. I admire Burnside very much.

And that's what makes you such a nice man, Dr. Bill.


#103781 05/20/03 05:48 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
...allowing for important distinctions with the word nice.
-ron obvious /-:


#103782 05/20/03 06:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742
S
sjm Offline
old hand
Offline
old hand
S
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 742
>..allowing for important distinctions with the word nice.
-ron obvious /-:

Honey soy, ron, honey soy.


Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5