New words with opposite meanings

[Rod Neep]

Have you noticed the new words used by youngsters? Words that mean exactly the opposite to their real meaning?

Since when was "cool" anything other than to do with temperature

Why does "wicked" now mean fabulous?

When did the meaning of "heavy" change from being something to do with weight?

You get the drift, and I'm sure that you'll come up with more...

Rod
MstrCntkrsOlFrt

[Londonwhay]

My hubby mourns the passing of the word Gay...

[Rod Neep]

And my wife's name... straight from her birth certificate... is.. Gay

Why on earth they hijacked that word is a total mystery to me. |rant|

Rod
MstrCntkrsOlFrt

[Londonwhay]

And my wife's name... straight from her birth certificate... is.. Gay

Why on earth they hijacked that word is a total mystery to me. |rant|

Rod
MstrCntkrsOlFrt
That's what I mean. Gay is such a beautiful word & name in it's original meaning.

[mary elms]

Have you noticed the new words used by youngsters? Words that mean exactly the opposite to their real meaning?
Youngsters have always enjoyed talking in code. It makes them feel more secure in a scary world etc etc. They're not to blame for the fact that we've made their culture the one to which we all bow!!!! Now that's much more a cause for grumbling - we're older - we're supposed to have more sense |rant|

Mary.

[Rod Neep]

Dammit Mary... that's much too philosophical for this forum!

Rod
MstrCntkrsOlFrt

[mary elms]

|bowdown| don't know what came over me sir! |bowdown| it just slipped out :p

Mary.

PS I'd better stop there. If I remember right it won't allow me any more smilies ;)

[Peter Goodey]

"Cool" (but not "kewl") is surely of some antiquity. I remember that from my youth (jazz context, 1850s perhaps?).

"Heavy" must be a good 30 or 40 years old. "He ain't heavy" was a hit in 1970!

"Gay" has always carried certain undertones of dissipation, prostitution etc. Its more modern association may stem from the days of illegality when contact ads had to be phrased in code eg "gay batchelor seeks similar".

I can't get very grumpy about this subject can I? :)

Now if someone were to mention "gotten" as picked up by some British teenagers I might really start to see red.

[Ladkyis]

but gotten is Elizabethan English, but what about "bored of" as in I don't want to do this anymore I'm bored of it. surely it should be bored with...? and while we are on a roll what about "different to" I was tought that it was similar to and different FROM. I suppose everything will be awesome soon and I will have something else to grind my fals teeth over.
Ann

[Mythology]

I don't know the history of it, but "gotten" certainly occurs in a number of wills that I have, mostly around 1800-1850, where there's an instruction to sell the farm, leases, furniture or whatever, for the most money that can be gotten for it.

Is it a question of usage though?
"Gotten" meaning "obtained" = good.
"Gotten" as in "I've gotten her right confused" = bad.
?

[Peter Goodey]

Oh I know the etymology.

And knowing that it's archaic in British English (except in "ill-gotten") is one of the reasons I'm infuriated by it.

I've only heard it used by semi-literate teenagers who presumably think it's trendy (cool?) to adopt various Americanisms. Let American English stay where it belongs - on the other side of the Atlantic!

[Mythology]

"I've only heard it used by semi-literate teenagers ..."

[Thinks}
Peter must live somewhere posh - I don't know any teenagers around here who are educated enough to be described as semi-literate. ;)

[Pam Downes]

"I've only heard it used by semi-literate teenagers ..."
[Thinks}
Peter must live somewhere posh - I don't know any teenagers around here who are educated enough to be described as semi-literate. ;)
My hubby, who is currently asleep, will soon be a *very* grumpy old man because I'll wake him with the noise I'm making. I'm absolutely crying with laughter at Myth's reply - as much at 'Peter must live somewhere posh' as at the second comment.
(Though isn't 'posh' just a tad "yesterday"? How about 'neighbourhood-selective'? Fits in with the trend for using long words to convey nothing.)

Pam Downes

[IreneH]

Love this site Rod. I won't get any searching done now - to busy reading this stuff.
The one that gets up my nose in a big way is "Yous going way this week"? I not a mob of bloody sheep!! Hate it when I heard people do say that!! Have to confuss I'm one who does get "its" and "it's" mixed.

[Ed McKie]

And when did fast bowlers become quick ?

Suppose its something to do with them wearing pyjamas to play in

Ed

[AnnB]

I don't know about words with opposite meanings, but goodness knows what some of these 'rap' songs (are they songs) are about - perhaps it's best if I don't know :rolleyes: Or perhaps I am just showing my age.
Another new 'turn of phrase' which really gets up my nose (there you are, how can words get up your nose) is "Hello, ...... speaking, how may I help you". |shakehead

Ann
PS - Rod, I think, at this rate, you had better give us some more smilies to play with!

[Rod Neep]

I have a large collection of smilies. I'll get some more made available when I get back from holiday.


But not my favourite one.... I'm going to reserve that for special occasions.
http://www.british-genealogy.com/graphics/sm-nutkick.gif

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Love this site Rod. I won't get any searching done now - to busy reading this stuff.

I don't know about not getting any searching done ...... I'm getting nothing done at all seeing as I'm reading all the Grumpy Men forum messages! :D

[busyglen]

You have made my day Rod! :D I can't stop laughing, and I can hardly see to write with the tears in my eyes! Where DO you get them from?

My pet word hate? Somethink, anythink, nothink!! I even heard a tv news presenter, use one of those recently, which sounded dreadful...and no...I'm not a snob, I just can't abide people who can't be bothered to speak English correctly. The trouble is...children are just not corrected these days, especially if their parents don't know any better either. :(
Glenys

[busyglen]

I don't know about not getting any searching done ...... I'm getting nothing done at all seeing as I'm reading all the Grumpy Men forum messages! :D

Me too, but it's certainly brightened up my day...especially as it's pouring with rain. :D

Glenys

[Rod Neep]

You have made my day Rod! :D I can't stop laughing, and I can hardly see to write with the tears in my eyes! Where DO you get them from?
Glenys
Yes... I especially like that one.

And this is one that I created myself many years ago. Quite apt. I'm off! (well, in 10 minutes)

Bye for now...
http://www.british-genealogy.com/graphics/sm-landrover.gif

[busyglen]

Thanks Rod, have a lovely holiday.

PS. What was the man doing when he got out and lay on the ground? Checking the wheels after going through the water?? It's really very good...wish I was as clever.;)

Glenys

[IreneH]

God Rod! I'm nearly wetting myself over that one!!!
Have a good holiday.

Irene

[Rod Neep]

I am !!

:D

[Sheleen]

I have three teenage children..... not that any of them like to be described as 'children' any longer.... and also a ten year old.
Still... I thought I was a 'cool mum' (actually, I have a temperature right now...lol), but there are some things I can't keep up with. Please bear in mind when reading the following, that 'fashion' dictates by the time you have gotten to the bottom of the posting, all 'trendy' words will be obselete and 'totally uncool'.

Its not fit to be fat... but 'phat iz fit'
Fit has nothing to do with health... to be fit is to be attractive.
Phat means fit - but not the fit to do with health.
nothing 'is' but everything 'iz'
'isn't it' is an obselete coupling of words... it is all 'innit' now.
If I'm 'sound', then I'm an okay person...
'Deep' isn't a guesswork of length or depth... it means something to think about.

oh... before I forget... I HATE the word 'guestimate'... in fact, I have a distinct dislike for any word that corrupts two perfectly decent words, and makes them into one silly-sounding 'word'.

So... a quick recap
"Deep innit? Sound!"
Means...
"That gives us all something to think about, doesn't it? How wonderful!"

Going back to what is or is not 'fit', one must remember to use the word 'buff'
This does not refer to a colour, nor does it have anything to do with polishing.
A girl may glance at a young man, and describe him as 'buff'. This means he 'iz fit' (or 'attractive' to the layman). 'Fine' is another word used to describe extremely attractive people.

'skin' means to shake hands - but one must remember that young people do not shake hands as such... they dance with palms and fingers.

"Hangin' wiv me in sta massif"
roughly translated:
"Hanging with my in-star massive"
means:
Visiting my favourite group of friends, and 'hanging out' together.

When I was a youngster, everyone would greet each other with "Wotcha"... ground down from "Wotch yer". I find is so annoying that the local paper actually had a few words on what this meant, and I forgot completely to copy any of it down to remember.

'Minty' means smelly - in a nasty way, not anything at all to do with peppermint or other nice mints.
'Minging' (do not pronounce the last 'g') is the same as 'minty'. It can also mean ugly, or unattractive.
'stoked' has nothing whatsoever in common with coals, or keeping alight a fire...it means to be VERY happy

I used to have a friend from Kent who had some wonderful phrases...
The meanings should be obvious...

Moo Juice
Jungluff'
This does not refer to a colour, nor does it have anything to do with polishing.
A girl may glance at a young man, and describe him as 'buff'. This means he 'iz fit' (or 'attractive' to the layman). 'Fine' is another word used to describe extremely attractive people.

'skin' means to shake hands - but one must remember that young people do not shake hands as such... they dance with palms and fingers.

"Hangin' wiv me in sta massif"
roughly translated:
"Hanging with my in-star massive"
means:
Visiting my favourite group of friends, and 'hanging out' together.

When I was a youngster, everyone would greet each other with "Wotcha"... ground down from "Wotch yer". I find is so annoying that the local paper actually had a few words on what this meant, and I forgot completely to copy any of it down to remember.

'Minty' means smelly - in a nasty way, not anything at all to do with peppermint or other nice mints.
'Minging' (do not pronounce the last 'g') is the same as 'minty'. It can also mean ugly, or unattractive.
'stoked' has nothing whatsoever in common with coals, or keeping alight a fire...it means to be VERY happy

I used to have a friend from Kent who had some wonderful phrases...
The meanings should be obvious...

Moo Juice
Jungle juice (water)
Tropical jungle juice (fruit juice)
"Do bears defecate rurally?" (after having been asked a question with an obvious 'yes' answer).

If someone asks a question with the answer to be a probable 'no', it may be answered in the following manner:
"You have three hopes...Bob Hope, Envelope, and no hope"

My father never got up early, but was always 'up at the crack of sparrow poop' not that my father says 'poop'... but I wouldn't write what he does say :)

A woman may be said to be 'having a bad hair day' when things go wrong during the day... it does not necessarily mean that the womans' hair is a mess.

when refering to someone who has made a silly mistake, or does not understand a joke (usually women)... she is referred to as 'blonde'

Thats about it for now... but I will add that I am very proud that my children usually speak in the proper manner - and with a good use of English....
like wot their movver does, innit?!
:D lol

[AnnB]

Good grief, I am now going to retire to a darkened room with a large glass of wine and a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary :confused:
Best wishes (or the modern equivalent)
Ann

[peter nicholl]

I used to think that the use, this side of the Pond, of "gotten" was something misbegotten. But now I've moved on and all of of that is quite forgotten :rolleyes: .

Alongside new meanings are new pronunciations:
Uran-us and not Ur-anus (is that not well wicked?)
Seka-terry for secretary
Ex-ekatif for executive
Si-uation for situation
Pacific for specific

And as for the Beeb, why do they have an Ireland, etc correspondent and not an Irish one? Surely the are reporting on Irish, or whatever (see below) Affairs. It doesn't mean that they have to be Irish, otherwise why do they have a Royal correspondent, who obviously isn't? But then they do have a Political correspondent:(

I used to get annoyed with "I hear what you're saying" especially as my old Dad put it so much better as "In one ear, out the other", but now it's just "Whatever".

[Rob Dewsall]

And when did fast bowlers become quick ?

Suppose its something to do with them wearing pyjamas to play in

Ed
Nothing to do with quick.. Must be something to do with the demented Blofeld mis-hearing QUARK, associating the term with a pidgeon or a bus, then transposing it to another very fast object, like a wheelie bin, then realising he was wrong ("my dear old thing"), but quite correctly associating the term 'Quick' as being, well, "Quark" or maybe "Qurap".

Following me yet? If not then listen to dear old Henry! 198 LW on Thursday morning at 10.30 AM GMT sharp.... He's absolutely Quackers!

"Well done him"

Nevertheless, I look forwards to the 2nd Ashes Test, when I expect to see Messrs Harmison and Flintoff bowling very quarkly indeed. I also look forward to the 'Wheelie Bin' getting a duck.... Sorry, a QUACK. Errr, QUICK.... err DUCK? and bowling "Qurap, too!"

Pyjamas? Must be something to do with "The Cat"? Or Pieterson dozing in the field, perhaps?

Cheers
Rob (feeling a bit abstract tonight)

[Fulhamster]

I am !!

:DWetting yourself or having a good holiday?????????????????

[tim england]

I've just discovered this forum and......

gotten is definitely still widely used in the US. I teach English to foreigners (although if I was being pedantic this isn't true as I'm the foreigner in their country). Much of our material comes from the US - I have to reassure the students that it's not 2 languages. It's not onmessage=I've just discovered this forum and......

gotten is definitely still widely used in the US. I teach English to foreigners (although if I was being pedantic this isn't true as I'm the foreigner in their country). Much of our material comes from the US - I have to reassure the students that it's not 2 languages. It's not only the words it's punctuation too.

How many English people begin with

Dear Mr Smith: (??)

According to my info the hijacking of the word Gay comes from the US equal opportunities marches in the 60s & 70s aimed as secure equal rights for homosexuals.

The slogan they used was "Good As You"

[Peter Goodey]

"According to my info the hijacking of the word Gay comes from the US equal opportunities marches in the 60s & 70s aimed as secure equal rights for homosexuals."


I don't think so. Fowler cites examples from as early as 1951 which would certainly predate any protest marches.

[Ed McKie]

But then is a Fulhamster a rather tubby rodent ??

Cheers..Ed

[tim england]

I don't think so. Fowler cites examples from as early as 1951 which would certainly predate any protest marches.[/QUOTE]

Oh well! It seemed feasible when I read it.

[Peter Goodey]

Which reminds me of a discussion - heated at times - in soc.genealogy.britain (see Google Groups) on the origin of the word 'posh'.

[GeoffD]

Which reminds me of a discussion - heated at times - in soc.genealogy.britain (see Google Groups) on the origin of the word 'posh'.

Well, we Aussies know where "posh" came from - the shortened form of "Port Out Starboard Home" on the tickets of the wealthy travellers in the era of the liners.

[Mythology]

Posh?

Painfully Off-tune Song Howler. ;)

[Sandra]

Hey now this is cool, wicked even. I haven't gotten to this forum before. No that can't be right. As someone who was born in the 40's, just about manage to remember the 50's and missed the 60's while raising my children I am now learning a whole new language from my grandchildren. They tell me that I'm cool so I can't be doing too
badly. I don't mind what new or recycled adjectives the youngsters use as long as they pronounce the t's at the end of their words. Chopped off t's drive me mad.

[Peter Goodey]

"missed the 60's while raising my children"


Well, lots of people missed - or at least can't remember - the sixties, but for considerably less staid reasons :cool: [there isn't a suitable icon for the sixties].

[Sandra]

"missed the 60's while raising my children"


Well, lots of people missed - or at least can't remember - the sixties, but for considerably less staid reasons :cool: [there isn't a suitable icon for the sixties].

Oooh! Now that's a whole new subject I suspect. Most of my friends really did miss all that stuff we're supposed to be cool enough not to remember. I think most of it must have been happening 'Darn Sarf'.

[Mythology]

I can remember the sixties. :)

There was a sixty, a sixty-one, a sixty-two, a sixty-three, a sixty-four ..... ummm ..... I *think* there was a sixty-five ...... then a sixty-nine.

That's all, isn't it? ;)

[AnnB]

I can remember the sixties. :)

There was a sixty, a sixty-one, a sixty-two, a sixty-three, a sixty-four ..... ummm ..... I *think* there was a sixty-five ...... then a sixty-nine.

That's all, isn't it? ;)
Surely you didn't miss sixty-six and a little thing like winning the World Cup :confused: Or were you on another astral plane with all those flower people ;)
Best wishes
Ann

[Mythology]

(I knew there was a post somewhere that I should be replying to, only took me a day or so to remember where it was ....)

Yes! I remember the World Cup .......

but that was 1976 wasn't it? I remember seeing it on the telly.
(You're not telling me that was a re-screening on the tenth anniversary, are you? ;) )

I have to confess that although I live (and then lived) within earshot of crowd noise at Wembley Stadium, I do not remember it at all - but I didn't have TV then, and I've never taken any interest in football, so if anyone did mention it, it would have gone in one ear and out the other even in more normal times.

[LynA]

Yes! I remember the World Cup .......

but that was 1976 wasn't it? I remember seeing it on the telly.
(You're not telling me that was a re-screening on the tenth anniversary, are you? ;) )


No, 1976 was even more important. Southampton won the FA Cup:D

[peter nicholl]

[QUOTE=MythologyYes! I remember the World Cup ....... I've never taken any interest in football,[/QUOTE]
You mean you didn't have a "World Cup Willy"?:D

[John]

Here in Manchester the Chief Constable went off on a rant about "feral youth" You're there already aren't you? The kids now use feral to mean something really good:)

John