May 31, 2003, 18:34
MorganOpposites attract
While shopping today, we were discussing the word "
spendthrift", which sounds like a person who is thrifty about their spending, when in reality, it is exactly the opposite! According to AHD: "
NOUN: One who spends money recklessly or wastefully."
What other words can we think of that might make you think they are opposite their true meaning?
May 31, 2003, 19:23
shufitzI can't come up with further candidates. But it might be very interesting to see each of these words came to have such an "opposed" meaning.
June 01, 2003, 07:31
the_bearOr cleave which means both.
June 01, 2003, 20:02
KallehI just don't get the meaning of "spendthrift". It seems like it should mean one who is thrifty!
June 02, 2003, 09:05
Graham NiceEssential Oils - oils that smell which are of no use whatsoever
June 02, 2003, 13:11
C J StrolinI nominate "enervating" as in having the quality of depleting the strength or energy of something or someone.
Some social organizations will have the position "chairman" for the person responsible for setting up all the folding chairs before a meeting, but that's not really the same thing...