ameliorate AIBU?

[LightTheFlameThrower]

Is this really a standard word that most people know? (I thought it was a typo)

Standard for me. Although I've also got a legal background. But it's used quite a bit in our house, the kids definitely know it, lol.

To offset some kind of disadvantage or make amends.

Yes a common enough word but I wouldn't expect everyone to know it.

Enhance or improve are perfectly fine words to use in its place and in my opinion words like this are only used when trying to impress, for example my days of essay writing at uni when I would open a new window tab with the thesaurus to hand to reach a little higher for that A

I would consider the more commonly known and understood word 'improve' perfectly adequate

But improve doesn't mean exactly the same. When you're ameliorating you are making up for the negative impact of something else.

Common in my circles, but obviously I'm aware there are circles where it isn't.

Fairly common

I only know it as a brand name of body lotions

@Shatandfattered

Enhance or improve are perfectly fine words to use in its place and in my opinion words like this are only used when trying to impress, for example my days of essay writing at uni when I would open a new window tab with the thesaurus to hand to reach a little higher for that A

But it doesn’t mean enhance or improve. It’s the complete opposite of enhance.

I know what it means but I don't use it - I think it sounds a bit pretentious.

Never heard of it.

I remember being teased as a kid because I used 'big' words. My kids have gone through the same thing, as has DH.

I don't give a shit if someone thinks using the right word that exactly means what you wish to express and convey is 'pretentious'. Not any more. That is the word I will use. And if someone uses a word I don't know what it means - I ask! I'm always wanting to add to my vocabulary.

“Bad writers, and especially scientific, political and sociological writers, are nearly always haunted by the notion that Latin or Greek words are grander than Saxon ones, and unnecessary words like expedite, ameliorate, predict, extraneous, deracinated, clandestine, sub-aqueous and hundreds of others constantly gain ground from their Anglo-Saxon opposite numbers[1].”

I agree with Orwell.

www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/politics-and-the-english-language/

Here are three random examples from one daily newspaper in just the last week or two:

“I would like to be comforting, to ameliorate and to say the Bowes-Lyon sisters were born in another time; an age that lacked enlightenment, far removed from our own.”

“Astonishing the #CharityCommission's chair has not read their own guidance on Campaigning and Political Activity (attached), which allows for exactly the kind of non-party political activity she's attacking, eg calling for changes to stop poverty, not just ameliorate it.”

“fancy tea like Earl Grey... green tea... fruit teas... and herbal varieties... does not comfort the grieving, calm the anxious, cushion the blow, ameliorate the suffering...”

I think that quotation just shows how language use changes over time. Nobody, surely, would argue that 'predict' is not in common use.

@ThePlantsitter

I think that quotation just shows how language use changes over time. Nobody, surely, would argue that 'predict' is not in common use.

I mean the Orwell quote obviously.

'predict' is, somehow, an unnecessary word?

That's funny. Someone should tell the Kaiser Chiefs.

'I a riot' would clearly be perfectly adequate

If Orwell had worked in the complaints department he would have added pissed off customers to that list.

‘I foretell a riot’

I know it... but the only people I have heard use it outside of an academic textbook are the type of people who try desperately to appear more intelligent than they really are.

@Smellbellina perfect! 😆

@ViciousJackdaw

'Ameliorate' makes me think of an episode of The Simpsons where Lisa is given the word in the state spelling bee. It can be quite educational at times.

This is the only reason I know of it. But couldn’t use it in a sentence

I have a horrible feeling this is going to stick in my head I will sing it that way forever now 😅

It’s a word I use at work 😂

@mbosnz

I remember being teased as a kid because I used 'big' words. My kids have gone through the same thing, as has DH.

I don't give a shit if someone thinks using the right word that exactly means what you wish to express and convey is 'pretentious'. Not any more. That is the word I will use. And if someone uses a word I don't know what it means - I ask! I'm always wanting to add to my vocabulary.

I don’t think it’s pretentious at all, I was the same kid as you 😂 I don’t think people should be called names for knowing or not knowing these words.

@midnightstar66

It's a standard word and one that is part of my everyday vocabulary. I'm really surprised to learn that many people don't know it.

Everyday as in your specific line of work or every day as I'm chatting with dc about what to make for tea or something funny your dc did?

I would absolutely use this in conversation with DC. He’s six so he’d probably ask what it meant and I’d explain. Then he’d either remember (in which case, great) or he’d forget because he’s six (in which case no harm done). But then his teachers all comment on how wide his vocabulary is, because we don’t talk down to him. I’d also happily use it in everyday conversation with my husband.