Non-standard adjectives

[jack]

http://blog.plover.com/math/partial-function.html

Mark Dominus said, Ranjit Bhatnagar proposed the notion of "non-standard adjectives". I'm sure I talked about this before, but I can't find the link.

The idea is, that a "big diamond" is a sort of diamond. But a "fake diamond" is not a diamond -- it's something like a diamond, but isn't. Likewise, something which is "definitely complete" is complete, but something which is "partially complete" is not complete. The adjective describes a way the noun applies other than usual.

An example that came up recently was "nearly unique". I still stand by "very unique" for the normal English meaning of "unique in more ways, or out of a bigger set" (I agree it's meaningless if the set in which it's unique is specified, but that's really rare in normal language rather than maths). But I said that "nearly unique" should be acceptable to everyone, in that it means something that isn't unique, but is close to it.

However, I've a feeling I said something recently that came across as wrong, or misleading, or hurtful, and I wanted to quite this explanation to say that that's not what I meant, but I can't remember what it was. Sorry :(

Comments

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was the phrase 'should be acceptable to everyone'? Because I don't like it, and there are lots of words or phrases like that which people find objectionable for all sorts of reasons.

I don't mind nearly unique as much, fwiw, for the reason you state, but more unique makes my toes curl and not in the good way. And yes, some of the words that do that are perfectly normal but I still think I'm allowed to have feelings about them. (I can't stand the word 'nom' for example, I find it totally squicky)

[liv]

Definitely people are allowed to have feelings about words, but I think it's nicer when people are self-aware enough to separate out their feelings from rules of grammar which must never be broken. I didn't realize you were so upset about more unique; I know jack's been teasing you about it but we should stop doing that if it's actually bothering you. And I fear we do say nom a bit when we're being cutesie, I will do my best to remember to avoid doing that in your hearing.

(Do you also hate the word kids, by the way? I've noticed you say children when in context it seems surprisingly formal to me, and I've been meaning to ask. Definitely another one where I should change my verbal habits if it's an issue for you.)

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I normally do try to separate out my feelings from my thoughts, and I had thought I'd done so in my first comment. I feel 'more unique'is wrong and confusing and should be avoided, I hat the sound of nom and therefore I quietly leave the conversation if it's being used too much for me.

I don't have strong feelings about kids, but I know other people who do and it's just not a word I use often anyway.

[liv]

I think I phrased my comment a bit wrong, I meant to acknowledge that you do separate feelings from thoughts and I think that's a good thing. Thank you for being careful. And thank you for explaining about more unique, nom and kids, now I know.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Ah good, that makes sense, thanks *hugs*

[jack]

*hugs* Sorry for bringing this up again, I was pleased to remember the term I was searching for, I forgot it might be emotional (even if only in a small way) for other reasons.

You're definitely allowed to have preferences about words! I'm always ok with "don't like". There's definitely constructions I really don't like, but admit are ok and try not to judge people for.

But I'm a bit sensitive because it seems some people definitely have the idea that those phrases are incorrect, and that I'm wrong for not seeing that, but they refuse to explain WHY. But I didn't realise it was maybe more emotional for you than me, so I shouldn't have gone into a rant about it, even if rants are fun when we're on the same page, sorry.

*hugs*

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I know you forgot it might be emotional. That's was my point, to remind you! Because it seemed that that night be why you were confused.

Also, I've tried my best to explain why I feel more unique is wrong and confusing, just as you have to persuade me it's valid and clear, and I figured we were at the 'agree to disagree' stage?

[jack]

*hugs* I think I should have realised it was a good idea to agree to disagree earlier. But I didn't, sorry :( I think when it's obvious why it's an emotional topic, I'm really good at not pushing people, but when it looks as if it might be a simple factual misunderstanding, I have a tendency to rush and need to practice holding myself back.

This is the sort of thing I mean when I say I _try_ to be tactful but it doesn't always succeed (although fortunately about grammar and not something even more personal).

*hugs*

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

*hugs* you're normally really good at tactful!