Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: GVgirl; SedVictaCatoni
This distinction between enormity and enormousness has not always existed historically, but nowadays many observe it.

Wussie.

Checking Oxford, it seems that the words "enorm" and "enormity" entered English (from the French énorme and émormitié) in the late 15th Century. The meaning being, as might be expected: "out of the normal, abnormal".

They were joined by "enormous" (from the Latin enormis) c.1531.

The first noted use of "enormity" with the specific meaning of "menstrous wickeness" is dated at 1538.

The first noted use of "enormous" with the specific meaning of "extraordinary in size or quality" is dated at 1544.

It seems to me the distinction was developing from the start. It ill-behoves us to go against the tradition of half a millenia.

16 posted on 05/14/2005 6:50:15 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity - MLK)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies ]


To: Oztrich Boy

That of courde should be "monstrous wickeness", the other is a matter of theology I don't want to disturb.


17 posted on 05/14/2005 6:55:28 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity - MLK)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]

To: Oztrich Boy

LOL! You're gonna make waves!


19 posted on 05/14/2005 9:06:47 PM PDT by GVnana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson