|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
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?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
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 ...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156 |
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!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161
member
|
member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
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".
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
You need to find a new job!
TEd
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
yes, i know it.. common word... you used it perfectly!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
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...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
It is common enough that I am surprised that nobody in your office knew it, Bel.
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,330
Members9,182
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
995
guests, and
1
robot. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|