# Corrupted versions of words surpassing their original meaning **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 24, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453 "2009-08-24T03:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThePylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@ThePylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThePylon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/21 "2009-08-24T16:23:24Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > decimate QFT It’s been getting a lot of use lately, too - describing investments … “my portfolio’s been decimated!” Really? That’s pretty freakin’ good! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/22 "2009-08-24T16:38:45Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > \*\*Bearflag’s \*\*suggestion of \*literally \*is a good example since in the past it actually meant, you know, like literally literally and now it applies to –not- as in someone nonsensically proclaiming: “I literally fell to pieces. Literally.” If by ‘in the past’ you mean 1586, sure. ‘Literally’ has been used as an intensifier for centuries. I wish people would stop thinking that it’s a recent development. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/23 "2009-08-24T16:40:32Z")
The subsitution of the word “weary” when one really means “leery” has reached such a high point of popularity that I never see/hear “leery” used anymore. I fully expect Webster’s to include the alternate usage for “weary” in the next five years. Where’s that vomiting smiley?!? ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/24 "2009-08-24T16:48:06Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > The subsitution of the word “weary” when one really means “leery” has reached such a high point of popularity that I never see/hear “leery” used anymore. I fully expect Webster’s to include the alternate usage for “weary” in the next five years. I think word they’re usually after is “wary” – it’s just a misspellign. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/25 "2009-08-24T16:48:36Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > \*\*Bearflag’s \*\*suggestion of \*literally \*is a good example since in the past it actually meant, you know, like literally literally and now it applies to –not- as in someone nonsensically proclaiming: “I literally fell to pieces. Literally.” > [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > If by ‘in the past’ you mean 1586, sure. ‘Literally’ has been used as an intensifier for centuries. I wish people would stop thinking that it’s a recent development. i don’t think the use of the word ‘literally’ is the issue. it is the more recent use of ‘literally’ when what is really meant should be ‘figuratively’. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/26 "2009-08-24T17:04:20Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I would bet that: > > More people know who Ludacris (the rapper) is than know what the word “ludicrous” means. > > More people know what a ShamWow is than know what a chamois is. > > Any other examples of this? > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > This message board is not representative of the population of America, in any way, shape or form. > > The majority of the people in this country have pretty lowbrow tastes in my opinion, and are willfully ignorant of culture, language, literature, science and history. The majority of people spend a hell of a lot of time watching TV, much more than they spend reading. Come, now. Do you think that Ludacris would have picked that as a name if he didn’t think the majority of his target audience would understand the pun? Rappers pride themselves on being clever with words. There is no use in being clever if no one gets it. Do you think the ShamWoW people would have chosen that name if didn’t think it people would associate it with an existing item, the chamois, only better (hence the “Wow”.) Advertising professionals also pride themselves on being clever with words. Again, there is little use in being clever if no one gets it. These are both instances where people are trying to sell something, by associating their persona or product with existing words. While they certainly can (and do) sell to people who don’t get the connection, if they otherwise attract those people’s interest, they were aiming for those folks that do. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/27 "2009-08-24T17:05:50Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > i don’t think the use of the word ‘literally’ is the issue. it is the more recent use of ‘literally’ when what is really meant should be ‘figuratively’. Right, that was my entire point. ‘Literally’ has been used to mean ‘it was really, really like that, but not actually, technically that’ for centuries. # 1827: Sir Walter Scott, Chronicles of the Canongate ``` The house was **literally** electrified; and it was only from witnessing the effects of her genius that he could guess to what a pitch theatrical excellence could be carried. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/28 "2009-08-24T17:19:27Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Pete Townshend used it in 1972 in the liner notes of _Who Came First_ (spelled “gynormouse”). That spelling conjures up the rather disturbing mental image of a rodent that nests within the private parts of women. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/29 "2009-08-24T17:43:50Z")
> [@Erasmus\_Darwin](#): > > That spelling conjures up the rather disturbing mental image of a rodent that nests within the private parts of women. “Vaginal rodents of unusual size? I don’t think they exist.” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/30 "2009-08-24T18:02:00Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > “Vaginal rodents of unusual size? I don’t think they exist.” :giggle: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/31 "2009-08-24T18:56:01Z")
“I feel like” used to refer to tactile sensations, a statement of one’s health, or possibly an emotion. It now means, “I think,” or “My opinion is…” It drives me batshit crazy, but I think I’ve lost the war. If I had a quarter for every time I hear someone start a sentence with “I feel like…” and the rest of the sentence is a thought, or a statement, or an opinion… Well, I wouldn’t need this crappy job. Example: A few months ago at the beach, someone was looking for Tony. “Where is Tony?” this person asked a young woman. She said, “I feel like he’s in the shower.” And that’s when I had to gouge my ears out with plastic sporks. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/32 "2009-08-25T00:31:39Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The whole “using the word _Bro_ to denote a close male friend or someone you wish to appear friendly with” thing annoys me, actually. Did you notice how “bro” has turned into “brah” (almost but not quite the same pronounciation as the ladies undergrament bra) ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/33 "2009-08-25T01:15:50Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Did you notice how “bro” has turned into “brah” (almost but not quite the same pronounciation as the ladies undergrament bra) Pronounced the same as the first syllable of the word ‘brother’. Been used for years in hip hop culture, but it is faded out mostly, now. I really don’t know anyone that doesn’t know what ludicrous means. Thanks to Mike Tyson in the 80s, it was pretty much a slang term to toss around for a while there. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/34 "2009-08-25T02:05:12Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > i don’t think the use of the word ‘literally’ is the issue. it is the more recent use of ‘literally’ when what is really meant should be ‘figuratively’. But “literally” is not being used exactly the same way “figuratively” would be used. “Literally” is used as an intensifier, in a hyperbolic fashion. Substituting “figuratively” deflates the rhetorical effect. And I disagree with the OP that more people know who “Ludacris” is than know what “ludicrous” means. I’d put substantial odds on it. ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/35 "2009-08-25T02:29:35Z")
> [@ColdPhoenix](#): > > Fair enough, I’ve never been to the USA and so can’t comment on that. It may well be a fair comment for the use of English in the US. > > I am going to Vegas on Friday though!!! Maybe I’ll report back with my findings after that. 😃 All you need to do is check out an episode of [Jay Leno’s “Jay Walking”](http://www.hulu.com/watch/52488/the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno-jaywalking-19) or [Are you smarther than a 5th Grader](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEP7uti0PDw)\<– this one hurts the brain To be fair the people who got all the answers correct would never make the air… not good TV. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/36 "2009-08-25T03:52:12Z")
> [@Rack-a-Bones](#): > > All you need to do is check out an episode of [Jay Leno’s “Jay Walking”](http://www.hulu.com/watch/52488/the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno-jaywalking-19) > > or > > [Are you smarther than a 5th Grader](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEP7uti0PDw)\<– this one hurts the brain > > To be fair the people who got all the answers correct would never make the air… not good TV. Both of these shows are precipitated on the fact that most people don’t bother to retain information that is not important to their day-to-day lives. We trivia buffs and locktrap brains are the exception, not the rule. Not to mention that _Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader_ is often quite banal or overly literal in its questions and answers, and the people on the show often can’t remember how to think like that any more. For example, despite it being almost totally useless since I know what you meant, a fifth grade you would probably have spelled “smarter” correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/37 "2009-08-25T04:55:22Z")
Even though the thread has taken some twists and turns, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I can’t think of any examples right now, but I’m also not up on pop culture. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/38 "2009-08-25T07:05:15Z")
> [@](#): > > More people know who Ludacris (the rapper) is than know what the word “ludicrous” means. There is no way this could be true. Almost everyone knows the word “ludicrous” (and if they don’t, they ought to) but there are huge segments of the population who aren’t familiar with names of rappers. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/39 "2009-08-25T15:33:40Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > I think word they’re usually after is “wary” – it’s just a misspellign. I’ve seen it on the Web as well, but it’s mostly done when speaking. They use the “ee” pronunciation. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453/40 "2009-08-25T16:03:47Z")
Hmm, when I hear Chamois I think of a cute goat-like animal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corrupted-versions-of-words-surpassing-their-original-meaning/507453.md?page=3)