|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605 |
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?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear Ken: I'm a certifiable curmudgeon, especially in terms used to describe feminine apparel. Foudroyant and even worse "stunning" suggest a disagreeable effect.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605 |
"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! 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
"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
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
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
()
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605 |
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!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Believe me, Keiva, if you ever see me in a red dress you will be stunned. ;)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
you will be stunned. ;)but, dahling, I keep telling you that blue does nothing for your skin tones, yet will you listen...?
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,328
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
703
guests, and
0
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
