If terrible is bad and terrify / terrorize / terror is to scare / make scared, how did the the term terrific come to mean that something is great or fantastic and other synonyms instead of that something is scary?
2007-03-26 12:34:04 · 10 answers · asked by Norak D 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
LOL @ rainbow joy
Interesting observation carly.
2007-03-26 15:16:05 · update #1
That's true, smarty smart kid, and I'm not familiar with Shakespearean clothing.
Good answer h_brida, and I agree on the whole decimation thing.
2007-04-02 05:39:40 · update #2
GS, I've thought about it before, and just figured I'd post it here.
2007-04-03 07:12:35 · update #3
The short answer is "sloppy usage", as with the current use of the word *awesome* by folk who wouldn't know awe if it'd jerked their jaws down.
I want to scream with I hear "decimate" used by newscasters when devastate or annihilate are obviously intended. Properly, decimation is a 10% loss.
By extension, terrific could be thought of as exciting, expecially by those who love roller coasters.
2007-04-01 23:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by h_brida 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Terrific does not necessarily mean something good. It can mean something out of the ordinary. However, since people seldom use it for that meaning, the conotation has turned towards a positive end rather than a negative one.
***P.S. could you PLEASEEE answer my question about Shakesperean clothes in 1603-1606?****
2007-04-01 15:10:36 · answer #2 · answered by smarty smart kid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TERRIFIC:
1. extraordinarily great or intense: terrific speed.
2. extremely good; wonderful: a terrific vacation.
3. causing terror; terrifying.
TERRIBLE:
1. distressing; severe: a terrible winter.
2. extremely bad; horrible: terrible coffee; a terrible movie.
3. exciting terror, awe, or great fear; dreadful; awful.
4. formidably great: a terrible responsibility
2007-04-01 06:19:00 · answer #3 · answered by Mercheryle D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me either. Read the following definition of the word.
One entry found for terrific.
Main Entry: ter·rif·ic
Pronunciation: t&-'ri-fik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin terrificus, from terrEre to frighten
1 a : very bad : FRIGHTFUL b : exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
2 : EXTRAORDINARY
3 : unusually fine : MAGNIFICENT
- ter·rif·i·cal·ly /-fi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
2007-03-26 14:51:37 · answer #4 · answered by carly071 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a deadly question. hahaha.
one star for you.
I think it has something to do with when something is so wicked...aah so super it can shock you.
It's awesomeness shocked me it blew my brains out......that is a little violent...that's my best guess.
2007-03-26 12:39:56 · answer #5 · answered by rainbow joy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it means some thing great and amaizing.
2007-04-03 01:25:15 · answer #6 · answered by sentmoses 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a very interesting question
2007-03-31 12:59:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well .... that's a terrific question.
2007-04-02 21:27:04 · answer #8 · answered by luckymole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow.. how did u find this question?? good one.
2007-04-02 22:22:29 · answer #9 · answered by GS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
damn
Yuo're right
2007-04-03 01:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by Chris F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋