Tagged Questions
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Connotation of the word “sprezzatura ”
According to Wikipedia, sprezzatura means
a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.
...
13
votes
6answers
504 views
Does the word “newbie” have a negative connotation?
Imagine that I'm running a friendly and informal online business. I would like to introduce my service to the new customers by a blog post that entitles, 'Are you a newbie to XYZ.com?'. Will that ...
2
votes
4answers
161 views
“Dabbler”, without the negative connotation
According to dictionary, a dabbler is "an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge".
I want a word that means a person genuinely interested in ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
I was able to hear the sound/noise from here?
Given this question:
Dude the rock band was awesome.
Which one of sound or noise is correct here?
Yes, I know — I was able to hear the concert’s noise from my balcony.
Yes, I know — ...
5
votes
4answers
356 views
Can “zealot” have a positive connotation?
A zealot is a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.
I have never seen this word used with positive connotation, but could it (without ...
-2
votes
1answer
175 views
Is it derogatory to call user a punter?
I've been wondering whether it is somewhat derogatory to call a user a punter. For instance,
We should encourage punters to participate in the discussions.
Update: My apologies — I owe you an ...
4
votes
3answers
269 views
Usage — referring to my husband as my son's dad?
I received an invitation for a session at my son's (John) school. The teacher had asked us to confirm our attendance for the event. I wrote the following
John's Dad and I will be attending the ...
1
vote
1answer
203 views
Does the word “facility” have a negative connotation?
When I hear about "facility" I immediately associate that with a building (like a company's headquarter, store, etc). However, some people say that it can be used to mean a "WC." Is this true? Does ...
-2
votes
3answers
128 views
“Assailant” vs “Attacker”
Besides sports in which an attacker is an offensive player, is there any difference between assailant and attacker?
a person who attacks somebody
I guess attacker can also be used for animals ...
10
votes
3answers
507 views
Why are nouns sometimes pejorative when used attributively?
Certain nouns can often be used as noun adjuncts in place of a corresponding adjective, with no change in literal meaning, where:
The noun is not pejorative when used nominatively by itself.
Nor is ...
4
votes
4answers
627 views
Does “upshot” denote something positive, negative, or neutral?
I’m a non-native speaker of English, and I’ve always felt that “upshot” was used to denote positive results. But I’ve come across a few cases recently where negative or neutral outcomes were ...
3
votes
2answers
634 views
“Engagement”, “betrothal” — connotations?
I'm not a native speaker, so frequently I don't know underlying semantic subtleties of synonyms; what connotations they bear, which may be antiquated or very official, which are specific to given ...
1
vote
3answers
544 views
“Endorse” vs. “condone”
What is the difference in meaning/connotation between the two words? Is endorse "stronger", more positive?
Also, endorse is to endorsement as condone is to what? Is there a noun counterpart?
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Is the word 'consort' still considered an insult in the modern usage?
In Romeo and Juliet, Tybalt says to Mercutio: 'Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo.' Mercutio replies 'consort! What, dost thou make us minstrels?... Zounds consorts!'
Bloodshed followed shortly.
...
1
vote
3answers
221 views
“Combination” versus “Amalgamation”
I'm looking for the key differences between combination and amalgamation. The differences between their verb forms (combine and amalgamate) is just as acceptable to me.
Combination: the act or an ...
1
vote
3answers
440 views
When the reader sees the words “foreshadow” or “omen” does it usually mean good things or bad?
I'd like to use a word like "foreshadow", or a word similar to it, as long as the reader will understand what is to come is going to be good.
Is the a subjective interpretation of "foreshadow" or ...
5
votes
7answers
7k views
What's the difference between “debate” and “argument”?
These words seem to have similar meanings, possibly with different connotations.
3
votes
2answers
156 views
Connotation of “complacence”
What is the connotation of complacence? Is it a negative trait? The dictionary makes it seem like a positive attribute.
1
vote
1answer
254 views
Is ‘eclectic bunch’ trendy instead of simply saying ‘a group of different types of constituents'?
I found the words ‘eclectic bunch’ in the following sentence of a New York Times (July 29, 2011) article reporting increase in foraging in city parks, which is titled ‘Enjoy Park Greenery, City Says, ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views
3
votes
5answers
4k views
“Complement” or “supplement”?
On a site similar to this one I answered a question and the OP made a comment which prompted me to complete my answer in an edit. I called it "an example" but I originally wanted to call it ...
5
votes
2answers
665 views
Why do we call snail mail “snail mail”?
Why do we call snail mail "snail mail"?
So by default mail will refer to email?
3
votes
4answers
203 views
Must an “accident” evolve from human error?
I've been censured for calling the nuclear plant incident in Japan a "nuclear accident".
I've never exclusively reserved the word accident only for those things which evolve from or are precipitated ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
“Quote” vs “estimate” (business context)
I'm interested in the semantic implications of using the words quote and estimate in a business scenario.
Here's the situation: When someone wants to purchase a service that I provide, they can fill ...
11
votes
7answers
1k views
Is the term “hack” more positive or more negative?
What emotional association does the word hack have nowadays in the first place: negative or positive?
Is it more for doing something illegally or without permission?
Or for doing something in a ...
