March 14, 2005, 19:15
LoudNotesjust a little respectively
Quick question that's always bugged me a little:
Is there any way to say the opposite of "respectively," as in, 'not the order given' or 'the reverse order given.'
One frequently says things like:
"I write limericks and ask questions of the OEDILF and Wordcraft, respectively." or "Jim, Bob, and Tom are the names of the writer, the drunkard, and the policeman, respectively."
Now, what if I wanted to say the opposite - "not respectively"...can this be done? Is there a word? Could I say that "Bob, Jim, and Tom are [...] but not in that order"?
"irrespectively" connotes a different meaning, unfortunately. Any thoughts?
March 14, 2005, 23:21
Richard EnglishI can't think of an antonym. Maybe it's just simply inferred that a list is random unless it is specifically mentioned that it is arranged respectively
March 15, 2005, 19:12
KallehWell, I looked up
disrespectively, with high hopes, but it means
disrespectful. Still, there should be a word for that!
Great question.