Questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition
39
votes
11answers
3k views
When to use “nude” and when “naked”
The question is quite clear.
Is there any difference (semantically or connotationally, if that's a word) between nude and naked? Nude seems more formal to me, but I'm not quite sure.
Interesting:
...
21
votes
10answers
2k views
Does “so far, so good” carry a negative connotation?
As a follow up to this etymology question, does "so far, so good" carry a negative connotation?
For example, after having her sonogram, my wife asked the technician if everything was okay. The ...
20
votes
9answers
9k views
What is the difference between “English” and “British”?
As an American, I naively think of British and English as exact synonyms. I know I'm wrong, but I just don't know in what way. I am vaguely aware that people in the UK hold strong opinions about one ...
19
votes
3answers
835 views
What exactly are the differences between “diligent”, “assiduous” and “sedulous”?
From OALD:
sedulous (formal) showing great care and effort in your work
synonym: diligent
assiduous (formal) working very hard and taking great care that everything is done as well as it ...
13
votes
6answers
515 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 ...
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 ...
10
votes
4answers
5k views
“Plausible” vs. “possible”
I am looking to find the difference between possible and plausible.
Here is what Apple's dictionary gives for each word:
Possible: Able to be done; within the power or capacity of someone or ...
10
votes
6answers
2k views
What did Steve Jobs mean by “Technology married with Liberal Arts” in his last speech?
The Asahi, Japan’s leading newspaper quoted the following famous closing words of Steve Jobs’ in his last speech at the iPad 2 event in March 2011 in its popular editorial column, “Vox populi, vox ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
Fine semantic differences between “thus” and “therefore”
I have seen a few Q&A's with this title but none really reflects my question. I am aware both are adverbs and so forth and how they syntactically can be used equivalently, but what about ...
10
votes
6answers
841 views
Does “oath” have an implied religious connotation?
In Singapore you don't have to swear an oath in court if you are of certain religions. Instead you affirm that you're speaking the truth:
Circumstances under which affirmation may be made
16. ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Connotations of trite, passé, and cliché
What are the differences between trite, cliché, and passé? They seem to all have a similar denotation, but what are the subtleties of their connotations?
The only difference I really see is that ...
10
votes
3answers
524 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 ...
9
votes
7answers
520 views
“Software craftsman” as complimentary term for programmer
Is software craftsman a complimentary term for a programmer or is it just neutral?
9
votes
2answers
480 views
Does “living in squalor” necessarily imply poverty?
Some definitions of squalor and its adjectival form squalid:
Merriam-Webster
squalor: the quality or state of being squalid
squalid: marked by filthiness and degradation from neglect or poverty ...
9
votes
3answers
366 views
How much destruction should be in my mind's eye when I picture a city being “sacked”?
I've been reading some early medieval history lately, and much of the narrative, of course, encompasses warfare, which seems to have been almost ubiquitous in those times. Anyway, in these histories ...
9
votes
3answers
378 views
Does the word “apparently” imply that I personally do or don't believe the statement following it?
When I say "Apparently, xyz", does that imply one of the following, and if so, which one?
From observation, I believe xyz to be true, but I leave open the possibility that I might be wrong.
I ...
9
votes
3answers
470 views
Does using the word “crony” necessitate a negative connotation?
I have always heard the word "crony" in the context of acquaintanceships between people exploiting their closeness for less than noble means. Despite its definitions in the usual places as simply ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
“An awful lot”: Any negative connotation?
Today was my first time I saw people use "an awful lot of" instead of "a lot of".
It reminded me of "terribly good", which obviously has little negative connotation. But how about "an awful lot"?
...
8
votes
5answers
797 views
Is there a connotational difference between “Reality” and “Actuality”?
The motto for the TruTV channel has always bugged me: Not reality, actuality.
At least from online dictionaries I have looked up these words on, they seem equivalent. The definitions even reference ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
How did the term “Mistress” take on two rather different connotations?
One meaning of the word is "female master." The Latin equivalent would be Domina.
Another connotation is "lover." Not quite what one associates with "Domina."
Or was there a connection between the ...
8
votes
4answers
579 views
What's the difference between “efficacy” and “effectiveness”?
I usually use the word "effectiveness" in conversation, but sometimes I use the word "efficacy" then self-correct with "effectiveness" . Is there a practical difference between them?
8
votes
2answers
338 views
Would you say that “headhunter” (as in recruitment) carries derogatory connotations?
I’ve seen the expression being used quite a lot in non-English speaking countries by recruiters themselves and I find it a bit odd. Have they chosen the wrong way to be cool?
8
votes
2answers
2k views
“Also” and “as well” for conversational context
"Also" and "as well" seem to be quite similar in meaning, but I'd like to know shades in its meaning and usage, especially for everyday conversational language. What one will sound more natural and ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Cultural connotation of American English - some examples?
I am from India and we speak English there as well, albeit not as culturally refined as I see in the US. In India, and perhaps in the UK, English is spoken in a straight and 'as it is' manner. For ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Does the word 'gimmick' have positive or negative meaning?
Does the word gimmick have a positive or negative meaning? It is not obvious to me from a wikipedia article.
I also would be glad if someone could explain it in two words, not several paragraphs ...
7
votes
6answers
6k views
'Expired' or 'Passed away'?
When someone dies, do we say they expired or passed away?
Does the word expired give any more respect when used? Or less respect than passed away?
7
votes
5answers
305 views
Is ‘suit-wearing’ an adjective sui generis?
I was interested to find the term, “Occupy Wall Street’s suit-wearing cousin” appearing in a May 31 New York Times article titled Facing down the Bankers.
It begins with the following line:
...
7
votes
5answers
5k views
What connotation does “to fork one's repo” have?
In a recent news item, an employee was fired partly for making jokes about "big dongle" and "forking repos", which were alleged to be inappropriate sexual jokes. The employee admitted the dongle joke ...
7
votes
2answers
451 views
How does one use the adjectival noun “l'enfant terrible”?
I have seen this phrase bandied about from time to time, usually in more "academic" works; my problem is that I remember it rarely being applied to children, as a direct translation might imply ...
7
votes
2answers
630 views
Does “uncanny” have a negative connotation to it?
Uncanny seems to be the word I'm looking for to describe something, but I'm worried that it might have a negative connotation to it. Does it? What are some words that are very close to having the same ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Does “uxorious” have sexual connotations?
I understand the literal meaning of uxorious, but does it have sexual implications? That is, does it just mean that one is excessively devoted to one’s wife, or does it imply excessive sexual ...
7
votes
3answers
213 views
What could the word “thumbtick” mean?
I am trying to give a piece of software a name but for non-native English speakers it's sometimes hard to avoid awkward associations with names because you don't live with the language. Sometimes word ...
6
votes
3answers
460 views
Which has stronger sexual connotations, “corset” or “bustier”?
Our fashion content writers are trying to choose the word that describes a fashion triend, but has the least sexual connotation. (Corset and bustier seem to be used interchangeably when it comes to ...
6
votes
9answers
511 views
A synonym for “bastardized” without the evil slant?
With the following definition:
To lower in quality or character.
Synonyms found:
corrupt, pervert, subvert, demoralize, demoralise, debauch, debase, profane, vitiate, deprave, misdirect
...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What does a “man of leisure” do exactly? What is the definition and the connotation?
I watched the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit some weeks ago, and have happily remembered a question I had forgotten from it just now. In this dialogue, Mr. Clennam, a dashing and ...
6
votes
2answers
170 views
A word for something that's done only half-consciously
In writing fiction, I find myself using the word "absentmindedly" a lot, but I don't think it's really the word I'm looking for. I'm not looking so much something done in a distracted manner, but ...
6
votes
6answers
751 views
Terms to apply to something that leaves strong memory
Do the following terms have positive, neutral or negative meaning?
memorable
impressive
remarkable
What are other similar terms that are used for positive, neutral and negative intention?
6
votes
4answers
743 views
“Destiny” vs. “Fate”
I'm aware a search will turn up many discussions on the differences or interchangeability of these terms, but it would be good to get some answers here with an emphasis on the etymology of the two ...
6
votes
2answers
265 views
What are the connotations of the word “Greetings” when used as a greeting?
What are the connotations of the word "Greetings" when used as a greeting? I am British, and I have rarely heard "Greetings!" used as a greeting in the UK. I associate it in my mind with Commander ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
What connotation do these words describing “someone who straightforwardly expresses their” opinion have?
The adjective ones I have heard recently are
forward
straightforward
forthcoming
frank
I was wondering if each of them has positive, negative or neutral meaning?
What are other similar terms ...
5
votes
2answers
682 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?
5
votes
3answers
184 views
Primary association of “to make out” [closed]
I am about to write an article about the German verb "ausmachen", which looking at the parts, looks awfully close to "make out". I did some reading on Merriam Webster and Wiktionary only to find that ...
5
votes
4answers
370 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 ...
5
votes
7answers
8k views
What's the difference between “debate” and “argument”?
These words seem to have similar meanings, possibly with different connotations.
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Do “good for you” and “I am happy for you” have a negative or positive connotation?
I am not sure if this is the right place, but I was wondering if "good for you" and "I am happy for you" have a negative or positive connotation.
5
votes
6answers
2k views
“Told” vs. “said to” somebody
I told him that you hate him
I said to him that you hate him
I was choosing between these two options, and I can't help thinking about the subtle differences.
For example, "I told him ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Getting into the Groove
What is the exact context of using this phrase? Is a positive connotation attached to it or a negative one?
5
votes
1answer
833 views
What are all the ways the British use the word “lovely”? Especially towards pretty girls?
From watching many period dramas and plays set in England, as I like to do, I've become more acutely aware of the British overloading of the word lovely. In particular, I have two questions:
What ...
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.
...
4
votes
4answers
641 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 ...
