I learn new words on this site very often, but these aren’t your usual Webster Dictionary entries, and you won’t find them in any standard, English dictionary. These words are created by people who don’t think dictionaries are very important because they can just as easily make up words to convey thoughts that are just as silly. Sometimes people use words that do exist, but they have no idea what those words really mean and how to use them.
Since these fabricated words, and those that are real but used incorrectly, might cause some confusion for the literate used to plain English, as a public service I am going to start a post where you can enter these words you come across on Gather with what you think they are supposed to mean. It can serve as a handy Gather reference. The word I’ve created for this living dictionary is Gathmoronics.
Failability
I think that is supposed to be fallibility, but failability is really rather descriptive because ability to fail is what fallibility really is.
Inept
Here is an example of a real word in a standard dictionary, but someone used it to describe an inanimate object, an inept keyboard. Inept refers to a person’s inability. It is not used to describe inanimate objects such as keyboards. From what I’ve noticed on Gather, however, keyboards are probably often more intelligent than their users, so we’re proud to announce its new usage to Gathmoronics.
Insultive
I suppose it could mean insulting, and probably was when I saw it in context of the comment on Gather, but it might also mean consultative if you used in another context. With some extra imagination, it might also mean intuitive, or imaginative, or might even serve as a noun like insulation, so this is a very versatile Gathmoronic. Please be aware of all the possibilities.
Feel free to add your entries below.
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Comments: 16
Obomination (my creation)
This in my opinion is a "must have" when wanting to look up anything written a couple hundred years ago and before. This includes the Constitution, Federalist Papers, the Founding Fathers, Adam Smith, Ralph Waldo Emerson, etc.
Some ordinary words really have changed a lot, even more have shades of meaning lost.
Additionally, Noah Webster wasn't shy about including full entries on things that touch religion.
For example, my computer's built-in dictionary says this for religion:
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
That's rather sterile and perfunctory.
Noah Webster let it rip without apology:
RELIGION, n. relij'on. [L. religio, from religo, to bind anew; re and ligo, to bind. This word seems originally to have signified an oath or vow to the gods, or the obligation of such an oath or vow, which was held very sacred by the Romans.]
1. Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion.
2. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1.
3. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
4. Any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. Thus we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the Indians, &c. as well as of the christian religion. We speak of false religion, as well as of true religion.
5. The rites of religion; in the plural.
Also, my granddaughter's first year of college, was reading a book on Thomas Jefferson. I thought, wow I like this prof. When she brought it with her on our trip to KY, (8 hr trip) I started reading it. NO mention of a Republic in the book - not even in the back of the book. It only talked about his role in Democracy! Current History books are much the same - no real History - just hype on the current agenda mixed through the books.