this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2024
342 points (87.7% liked)

Showerthoughts

29707 readers
1692 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
quinten@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
342
Just realized that "upside down" means "the up side is down", making it upside down (lemmy.ml)
submitted 5 months ago by Binette@lemmy.ml to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
109 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] db2@lemmy.world 18 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Go further. For example, people say 'gypped' without knowing it's a pejorative reference to the word 'Gypsy' which is itself a pejorative of the Romani.

[–] j4k3@lemmy.world 14 points 5 months ago (1 children)

My favorite recently is sophist from the pejorative Platonic definition. It really puts words like sophisticated in a different etymological light and subtle contextual meaning.

[–] Caboose12000@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

What's sophist mean?

[–] j4k3@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophist_(dialogue)

Fake but convincing by argument, gaslighting, etc., generally by someone in a position like a professor, a judge, or a politician.

[–] Welt@lazysoci.al 0 points 5 months ago

And the Egyptians, too!

[–] alquicksilver@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I remember learning this about 20ish years ago and telling my then-sister in law about it when I explained why I wasn't going to use it anymore. I got told I had a stick up my ass, and this was by a marginalized (gay, immigrant) woman. (Somewhat unrelated note - very grateful she's a former relation.)

So glad people have been learning and I've been hearing "gypped" less and less in recent years.

[–] ricdeh@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Some words have simply entered common use and become decoupled from their former meaning. Maybe your acquaintance was right.

[–] alquicksilver@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

Watching my own language means my "acquaintance" was right? I don't think I'm the one with a stick, if that's the case.

[–] Welt@lazysoci.al 0 points 5 months ago

Seems like Orwell was right