Member Avatar for ddanbe

Let's say that all the word used in the English language count.
If you like pyjama, ok. But in fact it is a Japanese word used in many languages.

Member Avatar for diafol

I thought it was Indian ("pai jamahs")

Member Avatar for ddanbe

Maybe the Japanese took it over for the Indians and spread it all over the world?

Member Avatar for diafol

The word was originally Persian, then incorporated into Urdu - I think.

They were introduced in England as lounging attire in the 17th century but soon went out of fashion. About 1870 they reappeared in the Western world as sleeping attire for men, after returning British colonials brought back with them the pajamas worn by Hindus. At the beginning of the 20th century, pajamas were introduced as women’s sleepwear and about 1920 as at-home evening wear.

Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438765/pajamas

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

This thread has quieted down so I'll add a word puzzle. Who can name two English words that are their own opposite, that is, two words which each have two opposing definitions?

Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

Well, there is at least one that I can think of, being a French speaker. The word formidable can mean either dreadful or awesome. In French, it is only used (AFAIK) to mean awesome, but in English, it's mostly used to mean dreadful (or very intimidating). So, that's why I remember that one.

But I cannot think of another word right now, but I can still answer your question: "Who can name two English words that are their opposite?" Answer: Not me.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Technically correct. You know, I kind of figured someone would do a literal interpretation of that question ;-)

Further clue, one word has 6 letters and the other has 8.

Edited by Reverend Jim
Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

Here is another answer to your question: "Who can name two English words that are their own opposite?" Answer: Wikipedia (Don't click! It's cheating!).

Come to think of it, that's another word that is its own opposite, i.e., the word wikipedia, as it stands for both an endless repository of truths and an endless repository of lies.

Member Avatar for Agilemind

A new example would be 'sick' which can mean 'awesome' or 'disgusting' or 'ill'

Edited by Agilemind
Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I was thinking 11 and 45. I didn't know there were so many other examples (not counting slang).

Member Avatar for stevenstone

"Freedom" is the word I enjoy most. The true challenge is maintaining freedom from economic slavery.

Member Avatar for GoodLuckChuck

I like onomatopoeia. It is the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss).

Member Avatar for happygeek

You've got to like the irony of 'hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia' which is a fear of long words...

Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

Lol! So, does that mean that people who suffer from this condition can never seek treatment from fear of being confronted with the word that describes their condition?

Or maybe the word itself is the treatment. Like writing 100 times the sentence:

"I will not let hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia get the best of me!"

Member Avatar for iamthwee

Opsy daisy... quintessentially english and quintessentially retarded!

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Opsy daisy..

Never heard of it. oopsy daisy however is children's art or baby talk.

Member Avatar for iamthwee

In England it is commonly used by adults... I think Hugh Grant uses it in one of his movies he starred in. I remember we had an overseas American Student come study over here and he was shocked when one of us used it in conversation. I don't think he actually expected anyone to use that word and thought it was one of those movie sterotypes

Edited by iamthwee
Member Avatar for diafol

I just love alexithymia, but I can't tell anybody about it.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I always thought it was"upsy daisy".

Member Avatar for diafol

I always thought it was"upsy daisy".

I think there may be regional pronunciations, so the spelling may also differ accordingly. I think the official one is "Oops-a-daisy" - but I may be totally wrong.

wps-y-deisi in my neck of the woods

I've heard it used in different contexts, as in when you take a tumble, but also when lifting a child - then it's "ups-a-daisy".

Edited by diafol
Member Avatar for ZZucker

supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

I don't think that is a real word. Comes from the movie Mary Poppins and, AFAIK, does not appear in any American dictionary, but was added to Oxford Dictionary in 1986.

Member Avatar for happygeek

Right now the best word is, without doubt: painkiller

Member Avatar for Mya:)

ONOMATOPOEIA :D

Member Avatar for ddanbe

Currently I'm on holyday in Spain. Going to a bank terminal for some extra money. I found a word on the screen rather intriguing: withdrawal
You feel like a drunk just by speaking it out load. :)

Member Avatar for Slavi

Java! :D

Member Avatar for DMR

"Snuffleupagus"- without a doubt, hands down. ;-)

Edited by DMR
Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I'm going to go in the other direction here and say that if I hear the word superfood one more time I think I will go postal.

Member Avatar for BogdanCov

goddammit, this is my favourite word.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

The same word that came to my lips the last time I heard someone mention superfood.

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