# Ajectivalistic words **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 25, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461 "2003-08-25T04:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/41 "2003-08-26T08:13:36Z")
I think burgled and burglarised are another of the across the pond differences discussed earlier. Houses are burgled here, never burglarised. The only time I have ever seen or heard burglarised was on an American TV programme. Over here, the verb is to burgle, the person who does it is the burglar and the thing he does it to has been burgled. Is the American verb to burglarise? Is the perpetrator a burglariser - given that the house is burglarised? (The word has lost all meaning to me, now that I have typed it so many times!) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/42 "2003-08-26T08:23:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by soulmurk \* > \*\*Burgled is a transitive verb, requiring an object to complete its meaning. > > Burglarized is an intransitive verb, not requiring an object.\*\* I don’t know whether “burglarized” exists in the UK/Ireland, but we certainly never use it (I’m guessing the Antipodeans don’t either) - “burgled” is used in both transitive and intransitive states. > [@](#): > > **Burgled does sound rather silly though.** Back atcha (to me, anyway) - it just seems to be adding extra syllables to an already perfectly servicable word. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/43 "2003-08-26T08:24:41Z")
Hah, I promise you **curly chick’s** response wasn’t there when I previewed. I’m glad we’re singing from the same hymn sheet though… ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/44 "2003-08-26T12:45:25Z")
How about “assertation”? Some people believe it is a real word. Like: [lezlers](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206193&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=4), [catsix](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205414&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Caesar’s Ghost](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206659&highlight=assertation), [UncleBill](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205308&highlight=assertation), [autz](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203285&highlight=assertation), [sugaree](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200313&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Bongmaster](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189943&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Dooku](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200884&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [iampunha](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=198250&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [scule](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=199559&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Miller](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197050&highlight=assertation), [iampunha again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197268&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Tars Tarkas](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=194282&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [MC Master of Ceremonies](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=194366&highlight=assertation), [Carl\_A\_Norris](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193328&highlight=assertation), [Satisfying Andy Licious](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189173&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [lezlers again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187059&highlight=assertation). Recommended reading: [Improving your English is both easy and fun! (mild rant at native English speakers)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205614). ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/45 "2003-08-26T13:48:01Z")
**sailor** , how long have you been working on that list? No, I don’t mean anything by asking. Just curious… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/46 "2003-08-26T13:50:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Derleth \* > \*\ ***sailor** , how long have you been working on that list? > > No, I don’t mean anything by asking. Just curious… > > :eek: \*\* Are you insinuatating something? ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/47 "2003-08-26T14:11:16Z")
I should imagine that he just used the search feature, surely? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/48 "2003-08-26T14:16:08Z")
Yeah, I know I have to get a life and I’m doing what I can. I was offered one just last week but it was too expensive and I couldn’t afford it so, for now, it seems like the SDMB is the next best thing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/49 "2003-08-26T18:23:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*How about “assertation”? Some people believe it is a real word. Like: > > [lezlers](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206193&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=4), [catsix](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205414&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Caesar’s Ghost](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206659&highlight=assertation), [UncleBill](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205308&highlight=assertation), [autz](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203285&highlight=assertation), [sugaree](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200313&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Bongmaster](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189943&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Dooku](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200884&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [iampunha](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=198250&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [scule](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=199559&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Miller](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197050&highlight=assertation), [iampunha again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197268&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [Tars Tarkas](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=194282&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [MC Master of Ceremonies](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=194366&highlight=assertation), [Carl\_A\_Norris](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193328&highlight=assertation), [Satisfying Andy Licious](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189173&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=2), [lezlers again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187059&highlight=assertation). > > Recommended reading: [Improving your English is both easy and fun! (mild rant at native English speakers)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205614). \*\* Shit! :smack: Excuse me while I go write “assertion” 100 times on the nearest convenient blackboard. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/50 "2003-08-26T19:44:28Z")
From Webster’s > [@](#): > > Main Entry: iron·ic > Pronunciation: "I-'rä-nik also i-'rä- > Variant(s): or iron·i·cal /-ni-k&l/ > Function: adjective > Date: 1576 > 1 : relating to, containing, or constituting irony > 2 : given to irony > synonym see SARCASTIC > > - iron·i·cal·ness /-ni-k&l-n&s/ noun Ironicalness? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/51 "2003-08-26T20:37:17Z")
Don’t blame me - blame my shoddy American edumacation. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/52 "2003-08-27T00:09:51Z")
I agree that “burglarised” must be an American thing, because I’ve only ever heard it on American TV shows. This raises the question of whether the Hamburglar hamburgles or hamburglarises. ---
**Author:** ![Bugnorton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bugnorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bugnorton)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/53 "2003-08-27T00:51:37Z")
Another contribution from your Department of Redundancy Department: hot water heater ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/54 "2003-08-27T01:25:06Z")
A burgl **ar** burglarized because he is prone to burglarious action. It is annoying, but us Brits treat burglar as if it were burgler. Would an USA person say that a beggar begged, or that a beggar beggarized? As for friars, scholars, and bursars, who knows what they do? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/55 "2003-08-27T06:11:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless \* > As for friars, scholars, and bursars, who knows what they do? Freedom fries, scolds, bursts? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/56 "2003-08-27T17:52:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless \* > \*\*Would an USA person say that a beggar begged, or that a beggar beggarized? > \*\* Haven’t spotted beggarized yet, but we do have ‘beggared’ which means to turn someone into a beggar, i.e., impoverish him. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/57 "2003-08-28T02:33:31Z")
It would be **ironic** to find out all **ironical** statements are literally true. I don’t want my point to be so **simple** that it’s considered to be **simplistic**. You can’t see the harm that comes from that **fascist** government because of your **fascistic** predelictions. This **historic** occasion will be recorded in all **historical** annals to come. ====== There, now I’ll just let everone’s innate syntax abilities come up with the appropriate rule. ## Peacefulnessly, -m Donchya love it when a Pit rant should have been a GQ? ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/58 "2003-08-28T17:28:33Z")
Interesting **moriah** the first and third sound and look wrong to my ears and eyes. For me, the following seem correct… It would be ironic to find out all ironic statements are literally true. I don’t want my point to be so simple that it’s considered to be simplistic. You can’t see the harm that comes from that fascist government because of your fascist predelictions. This historic occasion will be recorded in all historical annals to come. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/59 "2003-09-01T11:18:01Z")
More people who believe **assertation** is a real word: [Caesar’s Ghost](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206659&highlight=assertation), [autz](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=208281&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=3), [TeleTronOne](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207580&highlight=assertation), [Weirddave](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207937&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=6), [lezlers](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=206193&perpage=50&highlight=assertation&pagenumber=4). I want to assertate for once and for all that there is no such word. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461/60 "2003-09-02T03:51:21Z")
Theoretically, we could have the verbification/nounification process go on forever: assert - assertion - assertionate – assertionation - assertionationize - assertionationization - assertionationizationize - assertionationizationization – Okay, I’ll go quietly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ajectivalistic-words/197461.md?page=4)