Words that don’t mean what you think
I like reading lists, not only that it’s easier to read but also give a quick info. Anyway, the staff from Cracked.com created this amusing list of 9 Words That Don’t Mean What You Think. It is a list of 9 words which most people use incorrectly. Here’s an excerpt from their post:
Peruse
People think it means:
To skim over or browse something.Actually means:
Almost the opposite of that.Peruse means “to read with thoroughness or care.” If you peruse a book, you leave no page unturned. This makes sense when you consider the Middle English per use, meaning “to wear out or use up.” Unfortunately, if you “consider the Middle English” very often when speaking, you’re probably not exactly the life of the party.
Should you care?
You could make the argument that the way people use it is so far off from the original meaning that it’s worth fighting for, but there is almost no way to do it tactfully:“What are you doing, Chris?”
“Oh, just perusing the report here before the meeting.”
“Well you better GET OUT THE MICROSCOPE, RETARD! HA HA HA HA HA!!!”
I didn’t put up any pictures, well because, all they had included at their post are women with large boobs reading a book.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Tambayan.ph provides important news regarding (or related to) the Philippines. The site also features gadgets, technology news, interesting websites, online games, and much more.
don
Ironic
People think it means:
Any kind of amusing coincidence.
Actually means:
An outcome that is the opposite of what you’d expect.
So, if a porn star moved to Virgin, Utah, that would be ironic. If the same porn star bought a house in Boner Knob, Montana that would not be ironic.
Should you care?
We realize this is a technical point. But, it’s almost worth taking a stand because the word has been abused to the point that it can mean anything.
“She always said she wanted to marry a dentist! And then she married Bob, who is a dentist! Isn’t that ironic?”
“I went on my cigarette break, but there was a No Smoking sign! Isn’t that ironic?”
“I just pooped in your aquarium! Isn’t that ironic?”
We have to draw the line somewhere, don’t we?
finally! someone said it! xD