Thursday, September 07, 2006

just wondering

I've always thought the word "condone" was misleading. Doesn't it sound like it means the opposite of its actual definition?
I'm surprised some politician or entertainer hasn't misused it in some humorous way. That, or I'm the only one who has to think twice whenever I hear it.
The more I think about it, it's probably just me.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're right, and I think it may be because it sounds a lot like "condemn". And I think "condiments" is just out and out ridiculous.

(By the way, did you eveer find out where "seminary" comes from? Janet would like to know.)

krista said...

You're right, "condiments" sounds even more inappropriate.

And here's what I found from etymology dictionary web site: (www.etymonline.com)

seminary
c.1440, "plot where plants are raised from seeds," from L. seminarium "plant nursery," figuratively, "breeding ground," from seminarius "of seed," from semen (gen. seminis) "seed" (see semen). Meaning "school for training priests" first recorded 1581; commonly used for any school (especially academies for young ladies) from 1585 to 1930s. Seminarian "seminary student" is attested from 1584.

I guess we found yet another uncomfortable word?

The Strawberry Blonde said...

I don't think I ever questioned the word "condone" before now. Thanks!!