# English words with three or more completely unrelated meanings **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825 "2011-12-11T15:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/81 "2016-08-19T02:52:51Z")
#7 there isn’t a different meaning-- It’s just another application of #1. I don’t know about #8. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/82 "2016-08-19T05:16:05Z")
Post: • A stake or pole embedded in the ground, such as you’d tie ponies to • An assignment or job or responsibility at which one is deployed • The kind of earring you should switch to if you’re wearing hoops and about to visit your friend and friend’s 1-month-old baby • A type of trot that your show pony may be asked to engage in, presumably when no longer tied to a post • The stuff in envelopes with postage stamps affixed to it and stuff • This here item which you’re currently looking at … and by the way, it’s a total pain in the ass to search this page to see if anyone had done “post” yet… ---
**Author:** ![Bones\_Daley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/83 "2016-08-19T11:33:49Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > For example, [http://www.placematters.net/sites/default/files/places/PM\_node\_1323\_1.jpg](http://www.placematters.net/sites/default/files/places/PM_node_1323_1.jpg). I lived across the street from this building, and for _years_ mentally pronounced it as shaving cream as I passed it going to work. > See above photo. Self-identified for collective identification to the whole world. Although established in 1897, so perhaps it remains a la Colored People, who also have a national association. > > . Uhhh … that sign, which proclaims the “Metallic Lathers Union”, has nothing whatsoever to do with lathe operators. It has everything to do with the men who install metal LATH. LATH / LATHE … two totally different and unrelated words. LATH (rhymes with “path”) refers to the reinforcing substrate , which can be of wood or metal, onto which plaster or cement is applied. The person who install the lath is called a “lather” , which is pronounced with the “th” sounding the same as the “th” in “path”, rather than the “th” in the foamy shaving cream. A LATHE (rhymes with “faith” ) is a machine which can be used to produce round workpieces, and the person who operates it is called a turner. I trust all is now clear. ---
**Author:** ![Bones\_Daley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/84 "2016-08-19T11:40:46Z")
I would propose "“tick” as a genuine 3 unrelated meanings word 1. v-shaped mark …“he ticks all the boxes” 2. repulsive blood-sucking parasite 3. noise made by mechanical clock as it “ticks” away the hours. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/85 "2016-08-19T11:53:41Z")
> [@Bones\_Daley](#): > > I would propose "“tick” as a genuine 3 unrelated meanings word > > 1. v-shaped mark …“he ticks all the boxes” > 2. repulsive blood-sucking parasite > 3. noise made by mechanical clock as it “ticks” away the hours. With a possible fourth – rather old-fashioned British slang: an annoying person (generally male), of dubious moral character, but basically insignificant. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/86 "2016-08-19T12:03:42Z")
> [@Bones\_Daley](#): > > I would propose "“tick” as a genuine 3 unrelated meanings word > > 1. v-shaped mark …“he ticks all the boxes” > 2. repulsive blood-sucking parasite > 3. noise made by mechanical clock as it “ticks” away the hours. [Not quite](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tick&allowed_in_frame=0), no 1 and 3 are related, from a word meaning light touch or pat. The sense of annoy, as in ticking someone off is also related. However, there is another meaning: _credit_, as in “bought on tick” which is unrelated. So tick \*does \*have three unrelated meanings. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/87 "2016-08-19T13:08:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **AHunter3** : > > • A stake or pole embedded in the ground, such as you’d tie ponies to > … > • The kind of earring you should switch to if you’re wearing hoops and about to visit your friend and friend’s 1-month-old baby A stake or pole embedded in your earlobe is not a distinct meaning from one embedded in the ground. And I suspect that the “assigned station” and “contribution to a message board” meanings are also related, the first via the hitching post and the second via the pins used to attach them to the cork. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/88 "2016-08-19T14:05:29Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > Peer > > to look at > someone of equal rank > someone who pees > > Ok, that last one is a bit of a stretch, but I think it’s a valid formation. Also, a lord of the highest rank (‘he’s an earl, a hereditary peer’). Though related to #2. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/89 "2016-08-19T14:09:29Z")
What about “gin”? - an alcoholic drink - a form of card game - a type of machine (“cotton gin”) ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/90 "2016-08-19T14:25:57Z")
How about doctor? -PHD Graduate -Medical Professional -To edit in a misleading manner (A doctored photo) ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/91 "2016-08-19T14:43:52Z")
[Pitch:](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pitch) quality of sound slope grassy playing field to throw black tar-like substance to join (pitch-in) talk to try to convince someone (sales pitch) I’m sure some of these are related somehow (like sound/slope going up or down). ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/92 "2016-08-19T15:21:01Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > How about doctor? > -PHD Graduate > -Medical Professional > -To edit in a misleading manner (A doctored photo) I think they are all related, though. To “doctor” a photo = to “treat” it, like a physician treats a patient. PhD and MD are titles of the same academic rank, sharing a common ancestor. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/93 "2016-08-19T18:47:04Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > What about “gin”? > > - an alcoholic drink > > - a form of card game > > - a type of machine (“cotton gin”) Actually this is a winner if you substitute “card game” with one of “Gin”'s other definitions. “Gin” in the sense of a machine, like a cotton gin, is an abbreviation of the word “engine.” “Gin” in the sense of the drink is from the Dutch for “juniper,” from which it is made. This is also the origin of the name of the card game, though. “Gin” in the sense of “to excite or enliven” comes from ginger, which is one goes far back enough is derived from very old words for “Root.” All three came to be “gin” from totally different etymologies. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/94 "2016-08-19T18:58:05Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Actually this is a winner if you substitute “card game” with one of “Gin”'s other definitions. > > “Gin” in the sense of a machine, like a cotton gin, is an abbreviation of the word “engine.” > > “Gin” in the sense of the drink is from the Dutch for “juniper,” from which it is made. This is also the origin of the name of the card game, though. > > “Gin” in the sense of “to excite or enliven” comes from ginger, which is one goes far back enough is derived from very old words for “Root.” > > All three came to be “gin” from totally different etymologies. Interesting. I had no idea the card game and the drink were related. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/95 "2016-08-19T19:05:20Z")
Also an archaic form of _begin_. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/96 "2016-08-19T21:06:28Z")
> [@LateComer](#): > > [Pitch:](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pitch) > quality of sound > slope > grassy playing field > to throw > black tar-like substance > to join (pitch-in) > talk to try to convince someone (sales pitch) > > I’m sure some of these are related somehow (like sound/slope going up or down). Nice try, but the ‘Word Origin’ section at the link makes it clear these are all from two Middle English sources; one is the tar-like stuff, the other meaning ‘thrust or throw’ (which also turned into to a field, a slope, joining, and in a way not explained there, musical sound). I don’t know, maybe, despite having a common origin, a musical pitch is different enough from a baseball/soccer/sales pitch that is’ an unrelated meaning by now. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/97 "2016-08-19T21:27:43Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [Not quite](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tick&allowed_in_frame=0), no 1 and 3 are related, from a word meaning light touch or pat. The sense of annoy, as in ticking someone off is also related. > > However, there is another meaning: _credit_, as in “bought on tick” which is unrelated. So tick \*does \*have three unrelated meanings. There’s a 4th meaning which is also unrelated. The fabric case of a pillow or mattress is also called **tick** ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/98 "2016-08-19T21:41:10Z")
How about “base”. 1. One set of meanings: the lower part of something, on which it rests. The base of a statue. Extended meaning: situated as the center of operations (an “army base”). 2. Another set: in chemistry, as opposed to “acid”. 3. Third set: showing a lack of decency. “they were nothing more than a base rabble” I suspect they are all descended from an original root meaning of “low”, but I think they have diverged enough to count … ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/99 "2016-08-19T22:11:29Z")
Quite A very odd word with three meanings. Little noise, soundless The new central air is so quiet. completely, wholly, or entirely: quite the reverse; not quite finished. actually, really, or truly: quite a sudden change. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/100 "2016-08-19T22:43:10Z")
That’s two words with two meanings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825.md?page=6)