Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Pet Peeve of the Day
The noun form of the word "chagrin" is being used incorrectly in the same way over and over, and this must be addressed.
Dictionary.com's definition: a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation
Somehow, a bunch of the people who have tried to pick up on the meaning of this word through context clues have missed the part I have emboldened. I blame it on those people, I'm sure you know the type, who are clearly not very intelligent or well read and yet like to throw into conversation a heavy dose of "2 dollar" words they often misuse.
The word "chagrin" is the only word with this particular meaning, so let's not water it down or muddle it into a synonym for the word "annoyance".
Example of the correct usage: "Much to his chagrin, Charlie committed one faux pas after another in front of the girl he wanted to impress."
The way your garden variety moron uses it these days: "Much to his chagrin, Charlie couldn't find his car keys."
Unless of course, something else in the story indicates that it would be mortifying or at least mildly embarrassing for Charlie not to be able to find the keys.
Dictionary.com's definition: a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation
Somehow, a bunch of the people who have tried to pick up on the meaning of this word through context clues have missed the part I have emboldened. I blame it on those people, I'm sure you know the type, who are clearly not very intelligent or well read and yet like to throw into conversation a heavy dose of "2 dollar" words they often misuse.
The word "chagrin" is the only word with this particular meaning, so let's not water it down or muddle it into a synonym for the word "annoyance".
Example of the correct usage: "Much to his chagrin, Charlie committed one faux pas after another in front of the girl he wanted to impress."
The way your garden variety moron uses it these days: "Much to his chagrin, Charlie couldn't find his car keys."
Unless of course, something else in the story indicates that it would be mortifying or at least mildly embarrassing for Charlie not to be able to find the keys.
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