Why is the meaning of aweful wrong?!

[jammy_basturd]

We all know what awe means, and thus to be awe-full should surely mean that you would be full of awe. So why does it actually mean that it's complete tosh?

[JJCW]

Where to start?

It's spelt: Awful

HTH

[jammy_basturd]

Dammit! Was just coming back to correct myself.

[Eric Mc]

Why does "terrible" mean the same? It actually means to elicite "terror".

Why is "brilliant" used for referring to something good? It really means something bright.

Why is fantastic used for something good when it actually means something that is too fanciful to be true?

Why do we use the word romance when we mean love?

English is full of examples like this.

[jammy_basturd]

Eric Mc said:

Why does "terrible" mean the same? It actually means to elicite "terror".

Why is "brilliant" used for referring to something good? It really means something bright.

Why is fantastic used for something good when it actually means something that is too fanciful to be true?

Why do we use the word romance when we mean love?

English is full of examples like this.

I suppose, but really those are examples where words have taken a slight detour, surely awful is a complete 180?

[bishbash]

It used to be considered a frightening experience to feel the awe of someone or something, hence awful.
For example you could have an awesome opponent in a fight or a battle that would scare the st out of you, leaving you feeling bloody awful.

[jammy_basturd]

Ah ok, I guess a meaning to the basic word then that's not commonly used anymore.

[bishbash]

When the US first invaded Iraq, the phrase "Shock and Awe" was used, which was along the right lines.

[GKP]

Ruthless. Y'know without scruples or forethought to the potential devastating effects of your actions.

So the opposite would be ruth. I've never used that to describe a caring and considerate way of doing things.

[Slate99]

Why do we "raise" things to the ground?...

Edited by Slate99 on Tuesday 21st July 12:09

[mmm-five]

An archaic form of 'awe' had the original meaning of 'fright', so ''awful could be seen to mean frightful, which would fit in with the common usage we have today.

[bishbash]

Slate99 said:

Why do me "Raise" things to the ground?...

I think it's actually "Raze to the ground"

[jammy_basturd]

GKP said:

So the opposite would be ruth. I've never used that to describe a caring and considerate way of doing things.

I happen to know Ruth and she is indeed very caring and considerate!

[spitfire-ian]

Slate99 said:

Why do me "Raise" things to the ground?...

Or even raze

[ShadownINja]

Itz proper confuzin, innit!

[ShadownINja]

Don't worry. I'm already stabbing my fingers for typing that. Dagnammit! I used a comma. I only remembered to delete the apostrophe just before clicking submit. I'll never make a good uneducated chav.

Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 21st July 12:13

[GKP]

jammy_basturd said:

GKP said:

So the opposite would be ruth. I've never used that to describe a caring and considerate way of doing things.

I happen to know Ruth and she is indeed very caring and considerate!

TTIWWP

[spitfire-ian]

bishbash said:

Slate99 said:

Why do me "Raise" things to the ground?...

I think it's actually "Raze to the ground"

Indeedy...

raze: verb. to completely destroy a city, building, etc

raise: verb. to lift something to a higher position

Edited by spitfire-ian on Tuesday 21st July 12:14

[Adam B]

flammable and inflammable is the one that I always find odd

Edited by Adam B on Tuesday 21st July 12:15

[Dixie68]

If someone has a mortal wound they're going to die. If someone has a fatal wound they're going to die.

How do you know which word to use or do you just pick one? Any difference between the two?