In Defense of a Poor, Helpless Vocabulary Word

[gnomi]

I am here to speak out in protection of the word "fulsome."

The American Heritage Dictionary (4th edition, 2001) defines fulsome as:

adj.Offensively flattering or insincere. See Syns. at unctuous. [ME fulsom, abundant, disgusting]

However, I keep seeing it used as a synonym for "abundant," presumably based on false association with "full." And it is time to stand up for fulsome in its original meaning. Thus, no more fulsome praise...unless you really mean that the praise is offensive or insincere.

I, and my fellow vocabulary pedants, thank you.

Comments

[merlinpole.livejournal.com]

The misuse of "factoid" annoys me.... I think it was Norman Mailer who invented the term, to denote something which is not true, but which people tend to perceive as true. The use that paraliterate journalists put it to, to denote something that is true but it not a big deal, is just so wrong/inaccurate/inappropriate....