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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?
 
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I 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.
 
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Or cleave which means both.
 
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I just don't get the meaning of "spendthrift". It seems like it should mean one who is thrifty! Confused
 
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Essential Oils - oils that smell which are of no use whatsoever
 
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I 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...
 
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