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Questions tagged [connotation]

For questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition.

551 questions
23
votes
10 answers

Does "so far, so good" carry a negative connotation?

As a follow up to this etymology question, does "so far, so good" carry a negative connotation? For example, after having her sonogram, my wife asked the technician if everything was okay. The technician replied, "so far, so good." My wife later…
rishimaharaj
  • 399
15
votes
3 answers

Does the word 'clique' have a negative connotation?

Say I am offering a sharing service where people can exchange ideas and information through a simple interface. Users can start a group conversation and add their friends to interact with. Is the word clique too pejorative to describe such a group…
iHubble
  • 253
13
votes
8 answers

"Software craftsman" as complimentary term for programmer

Is software craftsman a complimentary term for a programmer or is it just neutral?
Sarawut Positwinyu
  • 2,644
10
votes
2 answers

Does “uxorious” have sexual connotations?

I understand the literal meaning of uxorious, but does it have sexual implications? That is, does it just mean that one is excessively devoted to one’s wife, or does it imply excessive sexual interest in her? For example, Lord Byron wrote: The…
JasonFruit
  • 253
9
votes
6 answers

Connotations of the word "galore"

I would like to know what connotations the word "galore" carries for native English speakers. I really like the word and it's meaning and have seen it being used in some modern contexts. However, I'm afraid I might sound archaic or something, if I…
Lisa
  • 91
8
votes
2 answers

Is "pseudo" strictly negative?

I'm used to "pseudo" in academic contexts, where the word/prefix has no connotation at all. It essentially means "not genuine": Pseudorandom Pseudoprime Pseudoephedrine Pseudo-atoll I was about to use the word in normal conversation, but I…
kdbanman
  • 353
8
votes
5 answers

Is there a connotational difference between "Reality" and "Actuality"?

The motto for the TruTV channel has always bugged me: Not reality, actuality. At least from online dictionaries I have looked up these words on, they seem equivalent. The definitions even reference one another. ac·tu·al·i·ty The state or fact of…
JohnFx
  • 7,464
8
votes
6 answers

First-rate, second-rate, and third-rate

I’d like some clarification on the use of these three words. First-rate has positive connotations and its meaning is manifest, but the meanings of second-rate and third-rate are relatively muddy in comparison. I know that both of them have negative…
tuba09
  • 195
7
votes
2 answers

How did "lady" and "ladies" come to differ in conveying degree of respect?

I was struck today by the difference between the sentences: Ladies, are you ready to order? and Lady, are you ready to order? The first (at least in my idiolect) is clearly respectful, while the singular borders on disrespectful, yet the only…
Scott Deerwester
  • 219
5
votes
3 answers

Primary association of "to make out"

I am about to write an article about the German verb "ausmachen", which looking at the parts, looks awfully close to "make out". I did some reading on Merriam Webster and Wiktionary only to find that what I thought to be a sexual term only, actually…
Emanuel
  • 1,507
5
votes
3 answers

Which has a stronger sexual connotation: "corset" or "bustier"?

Our fashion content writers are trying to choose the word that describes a fashion triend, but has the least sexual connotation. (Corset and bustier seem to be used interchangeably when it comes to fashion trends.) Is there any evidence for one…
Taj Moore
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5
votes
2 answers

How neutral is "then think again"?

I am not a native English speaker and in some cases particular phrasing can sound neutral to me but actually be rude and vice versa. I always thought that "think again" in phrases like "If you think that ..., then think again" is something if not…
shabunc
  • 1,441
5
votes
1 answer

Does "kowtow" have racist connotations?

Just wondering if this had its origins in a "questionable' time and should be avoided. For example, if it were used during a time of predjudice against Chinese laborers, or used to refer to their behavior, then it might be said to have questionable…
beroe
  • 181
4
votes
1 answer

What degree of status does the label "office lady" imply?

I'm wondering whether or not "office lady" is commonly used in English-speaking countries? Does it carry a derogatory sense or stereotype women's jobs like "pink-collar worker" does?
vul3
  • 113
4
votes
3 answers

"Memorial" as a non-sad word?

Can one use the word "memorial" (noun or adjective) without the negative/sad connotation of commemoration of the dead?
WAF
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