![]() Words Between the Spaces, Nauseous vs.Another pedantic rant (brought to my attention by my erudite sister Chandra). Online Etymology Dictionary, nauseate and nauseousĪmerican Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, nauseous Oxford English Dictionary, nausea, nauseate, nauseating, nauseous In case you can't tell, I love the Oxford English Dictionary. So if you really want to stick it to some grammar purist when he or she tries to correct you for your usage of "nauseous," you can answer back that you're simply using the original definition, and that if he or she has a problem with it, go look it up.Even your own Apple Lady doesn't like to admit this, but it's true. Proof, ladies and gentlemen: grammar evolves.So now apparently, we're swinging back to prefer the original. It means that, once upon a time the majority of people agreed that it was correct to say "I feel nauseous," and then over time, the next majority decided, nah, "I feel nauseated" is correct. Which means this is how people used to use the word. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, the first definition my OED offers for "nauseous" is "inclined to nausea fastidious." Meaning, a person can, in fact, be nauseous. ![]() Here's a case in point, Anonymous: once upon a time it used to be correct to say "I feel nauseous.".We collectively decide what the rules are, and if enough of us change our minds over time, that's what the rule becomes. Well, I don't like to admit this, Anonymous, but what you've described is kind of how grammar works.THE MEDIA! People who don't even know how to properly consult a dictionary for pronunciation are changing our language! -Anonymous Those who should know better but can't admit they are wrong are, in fact, the biggest problem. The same can be said for Merriam-Webster, et al that rush to legitimize any popular or cannibalized words or phrases. When a word is used incorrectly often enough, rather than teach proper usage, we simply succumb to the uneducated masses and go along with it-just like our pitiful public school system. I'll give you one example of one person's protest against this tendency to alter definitions apparently willy nilly: ![]()
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