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#38282 08/10/01 10:50 PM
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A current favourite phrase at work is "quarter-wit" (for the times when half-wit seems to be a compliment)

A fairly limited category perhaps, but are there any other valid "re-sized" words?


#38283 08/13/01 04:08 PM
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Along the same line, my father used to say, "If you said that [name] was a wit, you'd be half right."


#38284 08/13/01 05:19 PM
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and, crossthreading to quavers, you might encounter the hemisemidemiwit -- who might be indistinguishable (without aid of a witometer) from a wittol.


#38285 08/13/01 05:33 PM
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Wittol: wwftd. I could not find out if the word was derived from name of character in Congreve play, or if Congreve named the character from a pre-existing word.


#38286 08/13/01 05:37 PM
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I have noticed that lately the Spam I receive has changed from porn to physiologic enhancement products for both sexes. Upsizing, not downsizing.


#38287 08/13/01 05:42 PM
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we should check OED, but W3 traces it from ME wetewold as in cokewold (cuckold).


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Goatboy asks an interesting question and could we please get back to it ? Welcome Goatboy...Don't give up, we tend to go off on tangents but eventually an answer emerges, even if it takes a year and a day. Right Max?
I hope for elucidation on downsized words as I haven't a witter!


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Dear wow: the reason goatboy's question did not get answered is that none of us know any such words. To tease you a bit,I double dare you to post some.











#38290 08/13/01 07:48 PM
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Double dare.

What do y'all take this phrase to mean?


#38291 08/13/01 07:55 PM
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Double dare: since my second childhood is close at hand, I am reverting to childish challenges.


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