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Banana
is the next Chiquita
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2011-04-11, 14:18

Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox View Post
As best I know the only word in English that is its own antonym.
I was once told some linguists has observed a tendency for a word to shift to a meaning that's opposite the original meaning. Maybe that's what we're seeing here? I also note that the chosen meaning of the word 'cleave' would depend on whehter we say 'cleave off of' or 'cleave to'. (to think of it, I don't think anyone would try to say something that didn't attach the word to a preposition. "I am cleaved" sounds um, weird.)

Last edited by Banana : 2011-04-11 at 16:05. Reason: Ooo, looks like someone's having a case of Monday!
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