Something for Dulc

[gae]

I was reading on another board about words that can mean the opposite of what is implied.

"Seed" is an example of a contranym (or contronym), since it indicates opposite actions; i.e., you can seed clouds and seed tomatoes.

Think about that when you're pondering collective nouns.

<font color="#FFFFAA" size="1">[ September 18, 2005 07:01 AM: Message edited by: gae ]</font>

[Lew]

Huh? Maybe it's late, and it's over my head, but I don't get it....how do you "seed" a tomato? And "seeding" the clouds is more a figure of speech....right? Or am I missing something here?

[Dulcinea]

Taking something out, putting something in, same word to mean both.

Contranyms. I like it.

[cincygreg]

Well you can seed your garden while being a bad seed yourself.

Kinda like Grease.

You can use grease to grease a wheel.

The same word used as a verb and a noun.


[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dulcinea]

More like "dust"

can mean to remove fine particles from: "dust the table"

can mean to add fine particles to: "dust powdered sugar onto the cake"

[cincygreg]

Or Butt!

You can have a really nice butt or, you can butt into someone's conversation [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/angel.gif[/img] LOL!

Or stand

You can stand on your own two feet, or you can put someone on the stand to testify.


[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dulcinea]

self-contained opposites; a delightful tension therein

And something else for Dulc: remember last Thursday, Gae, I told you of the unexpected hug I got and what I was going to do the next Monday night? Did it, got ANOTHER hug and a conversation. Within 10 minutes he was telling me that he made "good money" with "a secure job". Hmmmm, I think this may be a wholly manipulable situation. It will be good practice.

[Lew]

I still think you people are taking metaphors, similies, and plan ol' figures of speech, and turning them into some etymological discertation.

[gae]

That's wonderful news, Dulc. [img]smile.gif[/img] I want more details!

And Lew, see... your posts are one of the reasons why you don't get to hang out in biker bars with me and Dulc. You're limiting yourself.

[Dulcinea]

Oh man, talk about a buzzkill. I have just been told by a coworker that it is bad karma to toy with someone for my own amusement. Well, I guess I have to scrap THAT set of plans.

Maybe if I toy with someone for you-all's amusement it would be okay? [img]wink.gif[/img]