Ask an English Teacher: The Right Word

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”

  1. 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!)

    1. Marc Schuster Avatar
      Marc Schuster

      Thanks for the link! I hope you enjoy my book.

  2. Reblogged this on mchelsmusings.

    1. Marc Schuster Avatar
      Marc Schuster

      Glad you liked it!

  3. 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.”

    1. Marc Schuster Avatar
      Marc Schuster

      Funny!

    2. LOL~!!!!!

      1. He was the funniest boss ever! Everything in percentages.

  4. 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.
    🙂

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