Having seen this term (phony scam) used in print, it made us wonder if the "two negatives equaled a positive". What do you think?
2007-02-03 04:57:46 · 11 answers · asked by Jade 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I think that phony is an adjective and scam is a noun. Therefore, describing a noun that carries the connotation of phony with an adjective meaning phony is not a double negative, but rather emphasizing a point.
2007-02-03 05:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋
Fake - Meaning something be Auctioned as if it were Authentic, I take fake as being everthing is "fake" the Injuries, punches, kicks, wrestling maneuvers, falling off of ladders, being hit with a steel chair etc... The wrestlers feel no pain, they use make-up and digital effects to make injuries and blood look real, Basically nothing is real the entire thing is staged like a Act or Play. Scripted- Meaning predetermined, the matches are no-contest before it starts, the feuds are planned, and the promos are often written before they are said, but everything else to it is Authentic, the wrestling is quite real, the injuries & blood are real, the Athleticism is Real, Scripted just holds them back from really hurting each other. I take Wrestling as being Scripted, Not Fake!.
2016-03-29 03:07:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it just makes it a phony phony -- can't even rise to the level of a genuine fake!
See, two negatives make a positive in mathematics and in Miss Grundy's English class. But most of us often use two negatives as if they were just adjective and adverb.
2007-02-03 05:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I guess, technically, it would. They would cancel each other out. A phony scam would be the opposite of a real scam.
That said, I think it is not intended to mean that. I think it really is redundant and confusing. I'd avoid the phrase.
2007-02-03 05:05:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Logically yes, but so many of us have poor grammar skills that hardly anybody notices. On the other hand phony is used as a noun or an adjective. (noun: that magician is a phony) (adj:she had a phony accent)
2007-02-03 17:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by ................................ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. This is an example of the poor use of slang.
A "counterfeit swindle" is also called a "Sting."
But a "phony scam" could be a "deceptive plan" or a "hypocritical fraudulent scheme."
What is missing is the intent.
2007-02-03 15:37:41 · answer #6 · answered by Richard 7 · 10⤊ 0⤋
Oh the English language! It is so confusing even to those of us who speak it every day.
2007-02-04 05:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the source..yes
2007-02-03 05:07:23 · answer #8 · answered by Thankyou4givengmeaheadache 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it does not make it real. It's just an example of bad grammar.
2007-02-03 05:02:34 · answer #9 · answered by PunkerHardcore 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe,,,,,, coz both words are dishonestly NOT TRUE..... :-)
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2007-02-03 23:19:46 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋