noel
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Post by noel on Jun 27, 2008 10:34:37 GMT
So Kevin Pietersen feels 'humbled' to be given the chance to captain England's cricket team. I seem to recall Gordon Brown saying the same thing when he took over as PM.
I wonder how a word which really means 'brought down, abased, degraded' gets used to mean 'honoured'?
noel
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Post by Barry on Jun 27, 2008 10:46:54 GMT
You need to read Kate Fox's Watching the English, noel. It's a socio-psychological habit prevalent in the English way of expressing oneself; downplay everything, and often say the reverse of what you mean. "Oh, Jonquil's not very bright, really" (meaning 'she's top of her class').
I think there's also a bit of meaning-bending going on here. As you say, the original meaning of 'humbled' is quite unpleasant, and suggests that someone has brought you down; the context in which it is often used nowadays is 'I am expressing my humility' (in the virtuous sense that a religious person might use it).
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Post by Alan Palmer on Jun 27, 2008 11:02:28 GMT
Yep, modern-day Uriah Heeps abound!
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Post by Verbivore on Jun 27, 2008 13:40:06 GMT
Noel: The usage to which you refer is as common as muck in my part of the world. It is usually spouted by politicians and other grossly unhumble types (such as sporting celebrities) upon the award of some honour, and patently means anything but its original meaning - or even just humble. It is frequently accompanied - in the same sentence! - by proud. "I am humbled and proud to receive this memorial plaque to my years of service as chief lavatory-bowl scraper."
When I hear it my immediate reaction is "Balls!".
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Post by Vadim on Jun 27, 2008 20:25:26 GMT
I thought I had it bad! I am presently a grinder, however in the near future I may be promoted to bowl scraper. Perhaps someday I will then move on to drain cleaning. I suppose jrain cleaning could be fun. To get to my local chdrain cleaners I would have to commute by chrain. I suppose that's not too bad though as the local tjrain station is near an LA and it increases its deceleration just past my point of disembarkation! Maybe I could work for a LA someday, I dunno! I'll have to leave my present job, I can't stand being paid in arrears. This is blatantly taking the pish!
Have a good day all. ;D
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Post by Paul Doherty on Jun 27, 2008 20:34:41 GMT
Time for your lie-down, Vadim.  |
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noel
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by noel on Jun 29, 2008 18:04:44 GMT
Given his and England's performance yesterday, 'humbled' was nearer the truth than he could have envisaged.
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Post by Rajesh Valluri AKA Raj on Jul 1, 2008 4:46:09 GMT
I thought I had it bad! I am presently a grinder, however in the near future I may be promoted to bowl scraper. Perhaps someday I will then move on to drain cleaning. I suppose jrain cleaning could be fun. To get to my local chdrain cleaners I would have to commute by chrain. I suppose that's not too bad though as the local tjrain station is near an LA and it increases its deceleration just past my point of disembarkation! Maybe I could work for a LA someday, I dunno! I'll have to leave my present job, I can't stand being paid in arrears. This is blatantly taking the pish! Have a good day all. ;D Decaf!! |
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Post by Vadim on Jul 1, 2008 10:05:40 GMT
Time for your lie-down, Vadim. Oh my head hurt! I had about 100 "rules" flying around in my head; the first post was even better, containing most of the "rules" I'd picked up here. Sadly, it disappeared into the ether. |
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