The anti-whine
After considering synonyms of whine for the 1/28 &
2/3 posts, we’ll take a look at words of the anti-whine variety (as
suggested by Christine in the comments section). It’s tough to identify
antonyms of whine, in part because a whine includes noise, attitude,
& negativity. Sadly the following anti-whine words fall a little short
of being true antonyms.
The word approve has been with us since 1300.
It came through Old French from a Latin word meaning to assent to or regard as good. The Latin word approbare was constructed
of the prefix ad- meaning to &
the root probare, or prove.
The verb praise appeared in English about the
same time, meaning to commend or flatter.
Like
approve, praise came through Old French from Latin. Its Latin
grandmother, preciare, meant value or
worth & is related to our modern words price & prize.
It wasn’t until the late 1300s the word praise became associated
with God.
The French word lauder, meaning praise or extol morphed in time into the English words laud &
applaud. The former appeared in the late 1300s meaning to praise or commend & the latter a
century later meaning to express
agreement or clap the hands.
In the 1610s the verb compliment was born. Interestingly,
the noun that predated it by about thirty years was defined to mean an expression of civility usually understood
to include some hypocrisy, & to mean less than it declares.
Compliment came to English through French from
Italian from Vulgar Latin.
I
find it fascinating that these perfectly fine words with positive meanings
aren’t nearly as much fun as whine, whinge & grouse.
Any thoughts on that, dear readers?
Fascinating that Praise, Price and Prize all have the same root. Makes sense, but I'd never thought of it before. But it's true that whine, whinge and grouse are more fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe fun element of "negative" words does make me worry about the nature of humanity.
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