Words that don't mean quite what you thought they did!

JoNightshade · Sep 11, 2009

Thought I would share a little discovery I just made and see if anyone else has similar stories.

The word: reciprocity

What it means:

1. a reciprocal state or relation.
2. reciprocation; mutual exchange.
3. the relation or policy in commercial dealings between countries by which corresponding advantages or privileges are granted by each country to the citizens of the other.

What I THOUGHT it meant:

Basically the same thing, except with totally negative connotations instead of positive ones. Listing synonyms, I would have said "revenge," "retribution," "payback."

WHY I thought this:

I learned the word when I was in 7th grade... by reading Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger. One of the operations to "get back" at the drug cartels was called "Reciprocity." Apparently I was too young to appreciate the irony!

About five minutes ago, I used the word according to my understanding. Then I thought, Hm, I wonder if there's something a little more specific to what I'm describing. So I looked it up. WHOOPS!

So... learning from context isn't ALWAYS the best way!

Anyone else?

Darzian · Sep 11, 2009

I used to think that the word 'ominous' was spelled 'omnious.' Every time I read that word in a book, my mind would automatically register the word as 'omnious.' It took me a long time to realize exactly how it was spelled. Ironically, it happened during a major English exam!

Not exactly relevant to your initial thread but close enough.

AnnieColleen · Sep 11, 2009

Mine was "ornery". Or rather, I thought "ornery" meant stubborn, and there was a different word, "arnry", that meant mischievous (like describing a child). I got some funny looks from family when I tried to explain that distinction -- they were the ones I learned it from!

Red-Green · Sep 11, 2009

In college I learned that "crapulent" had to do with how much liquor I'd consumed and not with what kind of day I'd had. I also learned this lesson: don't borrow vocabulary from your hillbilly uncle.

Karen Junker · Sep 11, 2009

Until my freshman year in college, I had never seen the word 'rapport' spelled out, I had only heard it in speech. So, in my first term paper, I spelled it 'repor'. Argh!

valerie_parker · Sep 11, 2009

Darzian said:
I used to think that the word 'ominous' was spelled 'omnious.' Every time I read that word in a book, my mind would automatically register the word as 'omnious.' It took me a long time to realize exactly how it was spelled. Ironically, it happened during a major English exam!

Not exactly relevant to your initial thread but close enough.

I used to think this same thing. The way I learnt the real spelling? I *said* it to someone.... and she had to correct me.

Ravenlocks · Sep 11, 2009

In middle school I thought "arrogant" meant confident and had positive connotations.

Palmfrond · Sep 12, 2009

Today I learned that "bung" means either 1) a stopper for closing a hole in a container (noun), or 2) to plug up a hole, usually by overfilling it. For example, "I bunged up the garbage disposal by feeding it a whole pot of pasta."

I always thought it meant "to throw out", as in "That guy is drunk; bung him into the street."

Xelebes · Sep 12, 2009

machschnell

What I thought it meant: To move at or approaching the speed of sound.

What it really means: make haste; with haste; make it quick.

Libbie · Sep 12, 2009

I used to get "nadir" and "acme" confused all the time. Also, I kept brainfarting and using "dearth" to mean the opposite of what it really means. Embarrassing!

Ken · Sep 12, 2009

... espouse.

Thought it meant to make a statement, e.g. "espouse a theory."
Actually means 'to give one's loyalty or support to (a cause, for example); adopt.'

Kinda similar but not interchangeable, unless I'm misunderstanding the definition. I'm still not entirely clear how to use the word; so I don't :-(

It's main definition is marriage, of course. At least I get that right

AuburnAssassin · Sep 12, 2009

Nonplussed.

The main definition is: surprised, confused, and uncertain what to do or say (at least according to MS Word and all the synonyms it lists)

but I prefer and use it according to its secondary definition: calm and unperturbed

Cyia · Sep 12, 2009

Persona non grata.

For some reason, the regional use of this is equivalent to "nowhere to be seen", like the person's missing. I didn't know it meant "unwelcome" for a long time.

Red-Green · Sep 12, 2009

Karen Junker said:
Until my freshman year in college, I had never seen the word 'rapport' spelled out, I had only heard it in speech. So, in my first term paper, I spelled it 'repor'. Argh!

Ha! I have the opposite problem even at my advancing age. I grew up in hillbilly land and I read a lot. Result: I have a large vocabulary for writing, but I'm half-scared to use any of my more esoteric words in conversation, because odds are good I'll mispronounce them, since I never heard most of them growing up. My husband finds it amusing when I pop off with some big word and completely mangle the pronunciation. I find it less so.

bettielee · Sep 13, 2009

I still can't get my head around "stringent" - I still think it means easy. ruh-roh!

kaitlin008 · Sep 13, 2009

Bemused.

I always thought it was just the opposite of amused, so I'd try to use it when someone wasn't amused about something. My brain still wants it to mean that, rather than bewildered/lost in thought.

The Lonely One · Sep 13, 2009

Redzilla said:
don't borrow vocabulary from your hillbilly uncle.

I'll take whatever words you don't use

The Lonely One · Sep 13, 2009

One time I used terse to mean taut and leathery, as in, a person's skin.

I got some blank stares in the AW grammar section.

maestrowork · Sep 13, 2009

I often thought "desolate" means "destitute."

Wayne K · Sep 13, 2009

Since I started reading, I couldn't get past a word wittout knowing what it meant, so I always carry the dictionary. I don't remember a second one. But Awry was mine. I pronounced it 'orry' and though I knew what it meant it bothered me that I was mispronouncing it for years.

I thought enough of it to put it in the title of my memoir.

Izz · Sep 13, 2009

Redzilla said:
I also learned this lesson: don't borrow vocabulary from your hillbilly uncle.

But they have the best vocabularies!

Ken said:
... espouse.

Thought it meant to make a statement, e.g. "espouse a theory."
Actually means 'to give one's loyalty or support to (a cause, for example); adopt.'

And here i thought e-spouse referred to a mail-order bride...

Cella · Sep 13, 2009

You can't rely on fast food mascots, either.

I always thought grimace meant to smile. Not to make a contorted facial expression.

KTC · Sep 13, 2009

I know the meaning of every word.

Cella · Sep 13, 2009

KTC said:
I know the meaning of every word.

That's handy

Amarie · Sep 13, 2009

Izz said:
And here i thought e-spouse referred to a mail-order bride...

I just found out passible doesn't mean it means capable being crossed or passed, it mean capable of feeling or suffering. The word I wanted was passable.

Words that don't mean quite what you thought they did!

has finally arrived

To-to-to-ron-to

Invisible Writer

KoalaKoalaKoala!

Live a little. Write a lot.

How novel.

cereal killer

Delerium ex Ennui

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Darkly Romantic Curmudgeon

Rewriting My Destiny

KoalaKoalaKoala!

I'm a sparkly fairy princess!

Seeing newness all the time

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Fear the Death Ray

Doing the Space Operatic

Cella

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Cella

carpe libri