Friday, July 2, 2010

Word Woman





Welcome to another exciting episode of Word Woman's Weekly Work-Out! This is the ninth in our series of words which only seem to appear in the negative. And the Word of the Week is:


Uncouth:

Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English uncūth, from un- + cūth familiar, known; akin to Old High German kund known, Old English can know — more at can
Date: before 12th century

1 a archaic : not known or not familiar to one : seldom experienced : uncommon, rare b obsolete : mysterious, uncanny
2 a : strange or clumsy in shape or appearance : outlandish b : lacking in polish and grace : rugged c : awkward and uncultivated in appearance, manner, or behavior : rude

"uncouth." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010.

Merriam-Webster Online. 25 June 2010


but have you ever heard the word:


Couth:

Pronunciation: \ˈküth\
Function: adjective
Etymology: back-formation from uncouth
Date: 1896

: sophisticated, polished

"couth." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010.

Merriam-Webster Online. 25 June 2010


Example: Daryl's manners, while entirely couth for the rural community where he grew up, were considered completely uncouth in the big city where he went to college.


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