[lit-ideas] Re: Let me incentivize you
- From: "Julie Krueger" <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 05:36:24 -0500
Okay, JL -- here's a challenge for you.
I have recently heard a particular usage which to my ears is akin to the
scratching of nails on a chalkboard. Specifically, "ironical", "poetical".
Several more, but I can't bring any others to my brain's surface at the
moment.
My way of thinking is thus:
Logic -- logical
Theology -- theological
Practice -- practical
Conceive -- conceivable
Contempt -- contemptable
Irony -- ironic
Poem -- Poetic (poetry is somewhat problematic in terms of this structure)
etc.
Then of course there are the adverbs -- logically, theologically,
practically, conceivably, ironically, poetically.
i.e., nouns become adjective often by adding the "al" or "ic" suffix. (Add
to that the "able" suffix -- as in "comfort/comfortable).
So what is "ironical" -- an adjective modifying the adjective "ironic"?
I at first thought this a gross linguistic faux pas made by contemporary
citizens.
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon the same usage in a book written nearly a
century ago. So apparently it is not a new verbal construction.
Is there a difference between ironic and ironical? poetic and poetical?
I'd love to see someone diagram the sentence: "The verse was so poetic that
she felt it was quite poetical".
On 10/13/07, Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx <Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Geary, a linguistic conservative, writes:
>
> "I just heard someone say "incentivize" on public TV."
>
> which is just as OED well:
> ** *Cheers,*
> *JL*
> *----*
> **
> *1968* *Guardian* 10 June 7/6 You have got to appeal to people's greed.
> The most successful station operators incentivise their forecourt staff. *
> 1980* *Time* 28 Jan. 90/2 Americans were not conserving gasoline because
> they were 'not sufficiently incentivized'. *1987* *New Yorker* 6 Apr. 61/3
> Betamax owners had been 'incentivized to zip right past the commercial'. *
> 1991* *Incentive Today* Oct. 15 (*advt.*) Our range of products and Gift
> Vouchers have the motivational impact that can be relied upon to incentivise
> and impress your customers or staff. *1997* *Mod. Railways* July 416/1
> We..have already introduced a number of innovative offers aimed at
> attracting new custom to rail; they also showed that we need to continue to
> incentivise advance purchase and thus guarantee seat reservations. *2001*J. W
> OLCOTT *Catsitters* xv. 93 'Why did you let me think they might?' 'I knew
> it might "incentivize" you.'
>
> J. L. Speranza, Esq.
>
> Town:
>
> Calle Arenales 2021, Piso 5, St. 8,
> La Recoleta C1124AAE,
> Buenos Aires, Argentina.
> Tel. 54 11 4824 4253
> Fax 54 221 425 9205
>
> Country:
>
> St. Michael Hall,
> Calle 58, No. 611,
> La Plata B1900 BPY
> Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
> Tel. 54 221 425 7817
> Fax 54 221 425 9205
> http://www.stmichaels.com.ar
>
> jls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
> http://www.netverk/~jls.htm <http://www.netverk/%7Ejls.htm>
>
>
>
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