Pedants United
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Re: Pedants United
When people say somebody needs to "redouble" their efforts, what does that mean? Is it quadruple or just double, and why not just say that instead?
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Re: Pedants United
"When people say somebody needs to "redouble" their efforts, what does that mean? Is it quadruple or just double, and why not just say that instead?"
I assumed it was a reference to bidding in Bridge?
I assumed it was a reference to bidding in Bridge?
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Re: Pedants United
I suppose redoubling efforts is for emphasis, suggesting that efforts have already been doubled and now even more effort is being made. It is probably true that people don't say they double efforts as often as they claim to redouble them.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:31 am"When people say somebody needs to "redouble" their efforts, what does that mean? Is it quadruple or just double, and why not just say that instead?"
I assumed it was a reference to bidding in Bridge?
Bridge bidding is not so simple when doubles/redoubles are used. Basically 'double' can mean 'I don't think you can make that contract so I'm doubling the penalty' followed by 'redouble' meaning 'oh yes I can make it and, not only that, I am going to enjoy an even greater bonus'. However, the bids can have other meanings according to partnership agreement. The most common is probably a 'take out double', showing values and asking partner to bid something. There is also an SOS redouble asking partner to take you out of a doubled contract in the hope of finding safer waters.
'Doubling down' has become fashionable lately, I think, meaning a strengthening of resolve in a course of action. I see this is a blackjack term for increasing the stake - curious that it's not "doubling up'.
Rather intriguing is 'doubling up with laughter' when you are actually bending the body down. I suppose we do say 'curling up'.
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Re: Pedants United
Perhaps it did have some credence before the age of computerization.
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Re: Pedants United
Redouble is a tricky word. I can't, for the life of me, understand why redoubtable means an amusing opponent. Something in the etymology must, at least, partially explain that.Kevin Williamson wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:13 amWhen people say somebody needs to "redouble" their efforts, what does that mean? Is it quadruple or just double, and why not just say that instead?
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Re: Pedants United
'Amusing'? Surely not. Redoubtable means formidable, to be feared or respected.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:25 pmI can't, for the life of me, understand why redoubtable means an amusing opponent. Something in the etymology must, at least, partially explain that.
I did not know its etymology, but I see it's from Old French 'redouter' to fear, which in turn is from the Latin 'dubitare' to doubt.
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Re: Pedants United
"I'll have to double check that".... don't bother ... just check it once.
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Re: Pedants United
Nice one, Andy. A bit of chess in there too.Andy Stoker wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:01 am"I'll have to double check that".... don't bother ... just check it once.
At the supermarket till:
'Did you want a bag?'
Unspoken reply:
'No, and I still don't, thank you.'
Important for smug pedants to have some manners.
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Re: Pedants United
I was recording a TV quiz show, probably Countdown, and after the microphone was fitted, they wanted to check the sound level. So I said something or other and the man said,
"Could we have a bit more level please?"
"Do you mean you want me to talk more loudly?" (which I said er, more loudly.)
"Yes - that's fine"
"Could we have a bit more level please?"
"Do you mean you want me to talk more loudly?" (which I said er, more loudly.)
"Yes - that's fine"
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Re: Pedants United
Ah, perhaps then, I've been stitched up by the online OED?Paul Habershon wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 7:32 am'Amusing'? Surely not. Redoubtable means formidable, to be feared or respected.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:25 pmI can't, for the life of me, understand why redoubtable means an amusing opponent. Something in the etymology must, at least, partially explain that.
I did not know its etymology, but I see it's from Old French 'redouter' to fear, which in turn is from the Latin 'dubitare' to doubt.
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Re: Pedants United
Just out of curiosity do you say pet peeve or pet hate, is one expression stronger than the other or are they more or less the same?
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Re: Pedants United
I'd say pet hate is the stronger - I've always understood peeve to mean a mild annoyance. But the qualifier "pet" to my mind considerably reduces the force of both.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:34 pmJust out of curiosity do you say pet peeve or pet hate, is one expression stronger than the other or are they more or less the same?
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)
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Re: Pedants United
"It's more than me job's worth". Then why not do it?
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Re: Pedants United
Okay thanks, they are both strange concepts, something only us in the first world suffer from.John Clarke wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:56 amI'd say pet hate is the stronger - I've always understood peeve to mean a mild annoyance. But the qualifier "pet" to my mind considerably reduces the force of both.MJMcCready wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:34 pmJust out of curiosity do you say pet peeve or pet hate, is one expression stronger than the other or are they more or less the same?
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Re: Pedants United
"I'd say pet hate is the stronger - I've always understood peeve to mean a mild annoyance. But the qualifier "pet" to my mind considerably reduces the force of both."
Yes - I agree with that, but maybe the "pet" suggests also, "I don't like this but I would understand if other people disagreed with me".
Yes - I agree with that, but maybe the "pet" suggests also, "I don't like this but I would understand if other people disagreed with me".