Contronyms
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@Axtremus said in Contronyms:
Like Windowâs âStartâ button, you click it to shutdown the computer.
Swing and a miss.
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@jon-nyc said in Contronyms:
To moot an idea is to bring it into consideration.
Really? I haven't heard of that before.
I can think of a phrase that qualifies: I'm sure. Much of the time, when somebody says I'm sure, they're saying they're not sure. As in, "I'm sure it'll be fine," which is saying you're in fact not sure.
Often when they really mean they're sure, they'll say I'm sure of it.
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The proctor at my SAT told us that it was his job to overlook all of the students and make sure that no cheating occurredâŚ
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In Dennis Taylor's "We Are Bob" series of sci-fi books, the various iterations of "Bob" hold virtual meetings to discuss plans, problems, etc.
They are called "moots."
âIt depends on the power of the computer thatâs hosting it, Henry. Iâve got a huge system here in Epsilon Eridani thatâs specifically designed for hosting. Iâve hosted baseball games, and Bob-moots with dozens of Bobs at a time.â I glanced at each of them in turn. âYou guys both have some catching up to do. Linus, Iâve started building a latest-generation vessel for each of you. Henry, itâs up to you what you want to do. I understand you have some sensitivities that youâre dealing with. Thereâs no hurry. We have, literally, all the time in the universe.â
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@Renauda said in Contronyms:
Origin of the word moot and its definitions go back to Anglo-Saxon England:
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803124243390
I suppose Tolkien was aware of that usage when he coined âentmootâ.
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@Mik said in Contronyms:
English is a difficult language.
This!!
What would be an sentence example of #5 - dust: to add fine particles?
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@taiwan_girl said in Contronyms:
@Mik said in Contronyms:
English is a difficult language.
This!!
What would be an sentence example of #5 - dust: to add fine particles?
TG, please dust the donuts with powdered sugar.
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Or where I live, in winter people will say âwe had a dusting of snow over nightâ.