That's odd that you see it in reference to feminine laughter since I almost exclusively see it used (and perceive it) in reference to men. Essentially, it's the masculine version of a giggle. It actually bothers me a lot because, in writing, I'm often compelled to use "chuckle" even though I dislike the word because I can't really think of another one for mildly amused manlaughter.
A fair point! Being used to mean the opposite of what it actually means is just half of the issue with literally. The other half being that it is being used for emphasis. So, yeah, I could support the eschewing of adverbs altogether in many instances of hyperbole.
A word that is shunned with ever-increasing frequency as people insist on using its antonym "literally" as a synonym for it. Let's bring figuratively back, people.
Blech. The use of this word evokes a laugh that is both smug and vaguely sinister. Auditorily, it's a very wet, guttural word, akin to coughing up phlegm.
Comments by rawles
rawles commented on the word pother
Typoing is a made up word. Facetious, however, is not.
June 19, 2007
rawles commented on the word pother
A synonym for bother. Nothing will ever make me believe that this was not the result of someone typoing and then being too proud to admit it.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word whelm
Apparently a person can, in fact, be "whelmed" without qualifier. Except it means the same thing as being overwhelmed. Hmm. Who knew?
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word indeed
I use this word perhaps more than any other in my vocabulary.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word chuckle
That's odd that you see it in reference to feminine laughter since I almost exclusively see it used (and perceive it) in reference to men. Essentially, it's the masculine version of a giggle. It actually bothers me a lot because, in writing, I'm often compelled to use "chuckle" even though I dislike the word because I can't really think of another one for mildly amused manlaughter.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word figuratively
A fair point! Being used to mean the opposite of what it actually means is just half of the issue with literally. The other half being that it is being used for emphasis. So, yeah, I could support the eschewing of adverbs altogether in many instances of hyperbole.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word literally
I support the founding of a coalition to bring the much-neglected but much-needed word "figuratively" back into proper use.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word figuratively
A word that is shunned with ever-increasing frequency as people insist on using its antonym "literally" as a synonym for it. Let's bring figuratively back, people.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word penultimate
The use of literally to mean figuratively makes me lose a little more faith in humanity every time I hear it.
May 23, 2007
rawles commented on the word chuckle
Blech. The use of this word evokes a laugh that is both smug and vaguely sinister. Auditorily, it's a very wet, guttural word, akin to coughing up phlegm.
May 20, 2007
rawles commented on the word bemused
...but rather like a portmanteau of "bewildered" and "confused."
May 20, 2007
rawles commented on the word penultimate
Meaning "next to last" not "super ultimate" as people often seem to assume.
May 20, 2007
rawles commented on the word hobviously
"H" for hemphasis.
January 14, 2007
rawles commented on the word cacoethes
More elegant than addiction. Less suggestive than desire.
January 6, 2007