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#85117 10/30/02 12:59 PM
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Please tell me that you guys know what slovenly means.

I've just lost 20 $ to my hubby because of that word. Yesterday, he forgot to wear a tie when going off to work so I teased him and said, "oh sure, go to work all slovenly."

Well, he gave me that blank look again, and asked what on earth I meant. After I explained, he told me nobody but me would know what that word meant. He is French so I argued that English people would definitely know it - but we left it at that.

Today, he brought it up again and we bet on it. I said the English folks in our office would know what it meant - he said the majority would not.

Pssshhhhh...not only did the majority not know - - - nobody knew!! Dag nabbit!

He often tells me I use words nobody else would. Does that happen to you guys?




#85118 10/30/02 01:01 PM
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Where I come from, slovenly is common coinage. And a quick office survey has elicited the information that the two people that I asked also know what it means.



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
#85119 10/30/02 01:15 PM
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I know what slovenly means! I am also buffeted all the time by the wind, so maybe I'm not the right person to ask.

He often tells me I use words nobody else would. Does that happen to you guys?

All the time. But what is life, if not the continuous search for the perfect word to describe whatever you might encounter? There's a strange kind of power in that!


#85120 10/30/02 01:15 PM
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Slovenly is an easy word. I hear people use it from time to time. Even country people out in the sticks where I live use slovenly.

I think you should win your bet.

I will quiz my fifth graders who are coming in a minute to see how many of them know what it means. I'll let them know that I don't want them "slovenly" for the winter concert.




#85121 10/30/02 01:25 PM
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Even I know it!


#85122 10/30/02 01:35 PM
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slovenly - 1515, "low, base, lewd," later "untidy, dirty"
(1568), from sloven "immoral woman" (1450), probably
from M.Flem. sloovin "a scold," related to sloef "untidy,
shabby," from P.Gmc. *slup-.

But now not quite so insulting. Close to "unkempt".


#85123 10/30/02 02:26 PM
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You need to find a new job!



TEd
#85124 10/30/02 02:57 PM
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yes, i know it.. common word... you used it perfectly!


#85125 10/30/02 06:06 PM
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He often tells me I use words nobody else would. Does that happen to you guys?
Gosh, yes, bel--delighted to see you here, by the way!
Like with Bean, "All the time." I think you should win your bet on account of people in your office not necessarily being native English-speakers!
CK, glad to see your research was so thorough...


#85126 10/30/02 06:34 PM
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It is common enough that I am surprised that nobody in your office knew it, Bel.


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