I’m trying to find the right word to expresses how I feel about something. I’m not wholeheartedly behind the issue at hand, but I also wouldn’t say that I’m only halfheartedly behind it, either. I’m somewhere in between. Is there a word for my attitude?
Yes, but it’s German, and they’re not telling us what it is. Given their reticence to give up the goods (as it were), I propose we make up our own terminology: Maybe you’re five-eighths-heartedly behind the issue in question. Or possibly only nine-sixteenths-heartedly behind it. More generously, perhaps you’re fourteen-seventeenths-heartedly behind this issue or, if you’re really close to giving over your whole heart but not quite ready to hand over that last sliver, three-hundred-twelve-three-hundred-thirteenths behind it, whatever “it” may be. The important thing, especially in dealings of the human heart, is to reduce everything to a measurable quantity. As all English teachers know, nothing matters more than accuracy, particularly when it comes to writing!
I think the word I was looking for was “mostly.”
I thirty-five-thirty-sevenths-heartedly disagree.
9 responses to “Ask an English Teacher: The Right Word”
Ha! Pedants, pay attention! FYI, you might like this: http://bigthink.com/ideas/41152
(And your delightful book just came in the mail. Can’t wait to report back! Thank you so much for sharing!)
Thanks for the link! I hope you enjoy my book.
Reblogged this on mchelsmusings.
Glad you liked it!
I had a boss who told me everything in percentages. He once told me “My wife and I had a disagreement. She was 60% wrong. But I was 40% wrong.”
Funny!
LOL~!!!!!
He was the funniest boss ever! Everything in percentages.
Hahaaa!! I’m 100% in favor of agreeing with 50% of that.
That’s makes me bivalent.
People are funny. Words are funnier. I ❤❤❤ this post.
🙂