Annoyed Rotten at Dictionary.com

beefymeg · April 3, 2000, 3:17pm

Okay, so I was looking up “rotten” at dictionary.com and here are the definitions it gave:

rot·ten (rtn)
adj. rot·ten·er, rot·ten·est.

     1.Being in a state of putrefaction or decay; decomposed.
     2.Having a foul odor resulting from or suggestive of decay; putrid.
     3.Made weak or unsound by rot: rotten floorboards.
     4.Morally corrupt or despicable: She's rotten to the core.
     5.Very bad; wretched: rotten weather.

adv.

   To a very great degree: The child is spoiled rotten.

Okay, I think that last one is WRONG! You would NEVER use “rotten” meaning “to a great degree.” In the case of “spoiled rotten,” it doesn’t mean “to a great degree,” it means “spoiled to the point of decay or wretchedness.”
You wouln’t say “She is beautiful rotten” or “It’s windy rotten outside”… would you?

Am I making any sense? This really bugged me.

“Well, I guess this means the fun’s over.” -Gus Mc Crae
“It may be over, but it sure wasn’t fun.” - Woodrow Call

Beadalin · April 3, 2000, 3:25pm

Well, “spoiled rotten” is a pretty common phrase, and may be the only usage of rotten as an adverb rather than an adjective. I think they were just pointing out that it doesn’t have to be an adjective.

beefymeg · April 3, 2000, 3:33pm

Bead, that makes sense, but their definition is still wrong. Even in “spoiled rotten,” the adverb doesn’t mean “to a great degree,” it means “to the point of being foul and weak.”

I think I just repeated myself. I’m sorry. I’m not even a grammar maven, but it just seems wrong.

“Well, I guess this means the fun’s over.” -Gus Mc Crae
“It may be over, but it sure wasn’t fun.” - Woodrow Call

Revtim · April 3, 2000, 3:39pm

Ok, I’m going to quote the ultimate authority: Austin Powers.

In the first movie, referencing Lotta Fagina, he said, “I shagged her! I shagged her rotton, baby!”

This is clearly a case of rotton being used an adverb. And I also agree with the dictionary that most people use “rotton” in “spoiled rotton” to mean “to a great degree.”

beefymeg · April 3, 2000, 4:00pm

Austin Powers is my hero.

I abscond.

“Well, I guess this means the fun’s over.” -Gus Mc Crae
“It may be over, but it sure wasn’t fun.” - Woodrow Call

tomndebb · April 3, 2000, 4:11pm

Abscond?

(Back to the dictionary, perhaps?)

beefymeg · April 3, 2000, 4:15pm

Briefly coming out of abscondment:

ab·scond (b-sknd)
v. intr. ab·scond·ed, ab·scond·ing, ab·sconds.
   To leave quickly and secretly and hide oneself, often to avoid arrest or
   prosecution.
[Latin abscondere, to hide: abs-, ab-, away; see ab-1 + condere, to put]

P.S. I made up “abscondment.”

“Well, I guess this means the fun’s over.” -Gus Mc Crae
“It may be over, but it sure wasn’t fun.” - Woodrow Call

tomndebb · April 3, 2000, 4:44pm

For what do you think we would prosecute you?

Gilligan · April 4, 2000, 5:16am

Better to be annoyed rotten at Dictionary.com than to be an annoyed dictionary at rotten.com.

Patty_O_Furniture · April 4, 2000, 5:19am

I think they arr referring to a matter of degrees, such as:

That child is somewhat spoiled. (a medium amount of spoilage)

That child is awfully spoiled (spoiled a little more than the Cosby Kids)

That child is terribly spoiled (Martha Stewart’s kids, if she has any)

That child is spoiled rotten! (Leona Helmsley as a child- an extreem degree of spoilage)

Demo · April 4, 2000, 5:55am

I agree with Meg’s original statement (before her absconscion ;)). I’ve never heard rotten outside of the term “spoiled rotten” and I agree that it means spoiled “to the point of being foul and weak.”

I will ignore any usage from a bloody wanker in this thread.

Just make yourself comfy while I shoot nuclear particles into your heart.
(Courtesy of Wally)