ameliorate AIBU?

[LightTheFlameThrower]

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

It's definitely a cromulent word.

I know it because I have seen it written down and have looked it up. I think I've probably used it in pieces of writing. I don't think I have EVER heard someone say it.

I detest the idea that a wide vocabulary should be pretentious but I don't think the word ameliorate is anywhere near as common as some people on here are making out.

It's also really bloody rude to suggest that someone not knowing this word is because they haven't read enough. By whose standards? You can draw a correlation between those who read a lot and those who have a wider vocabulary but you would be stupid to assume someone's reading habits on the basis of a single word.

And the posters competing over how well read they are? Even if you're well versed in Chaucer by the time you were out of nappies, there will always be words you don't know. And someone else will know them. And, if that someone else is as patronising as you, you can look forward to being asked "Did you read much when you were growing up?"

It's definitely a cromulent word.

🤣

@CrimsonSqueak

It's definitely a cromulent word.

Now THAT one I had to google! No idea if it's a common word or not, it wasn't for me

@TeenyTinyDustinHoffman well said

@Milkshake7489

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.

Despite the three examples I just gave from one newspaper in the last couple of weeks? Nothing to do with academic textbooks. A normal newspaper - discussing the TV series The Crown, charity, and tea.

No, the people who are saying it’s pretentious or showing off if you use it are the ignorant bullies and inverted snobs. It’s a constant race to the bottom with some people.

@Srslydontgiveacrap

That person is thick as fuck. This also explains how people don't understand COVID transmission at all. Heaven help us.

These two things are not related. You really do have an axe to grind. STFU dear.

@JingsMahBucket

Oooh. Someone doesn’t know how exponents work!

@daisypond I’m not sure how the articles you linked to directly contradict Milkshake7489’s opinion?

My daughter is way better read than I am. At this point, I'm extremely limited in what I prefer to read, much to her frustration!

But yes, I did learn and grow my vocabulary through reading. I don't know the depth or breadth of another person's reading, but I know where I learned my words from. I'm not seeking to compare, apologies if I have done so - that's where my words have come from.

Vocabulary is not the be all and end all. It's often just a quirk. One that those that enjoy words, share. It's not something to be sneered at for, either way. Whether it's your particular quirk, or your particular irritation.

@JingsMahBucket could you explain?

[quote Smellbellina]@daisypond I’m not sure how the articles you linked to directly contradict Milkshake7489’s opinion?[/quote]
Actually, that is a fair point. You’re right.

Actually, that is a fair point. You’re right.

Oooh. Someone doesn’t know how exponents work!

You are so fucking pretentious!

@daisypond

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...”

If you think those are three random examples, you might be familiar with ameliorate, but you most certainly don't understand the concept of 'random'.

@Srslydontgiveacrap

Oooh. Someone doesn’t know how exponents work!

You are so fucking pretentious!

🤷🏻‍♀️ Why? Seems fine to me.

Nope. No clue.

It's not a common word, but not a very rare word either. The kind of word you might see in a document at work, but not in an email to a friend.
Anyone who speaks French will be familiar with it as ameliorer is French for to improve.
Isn't it also the name of a brand that does body lotions or exfoliators or am I confusing that with something else.
The thing is once you learn a word you start seeing it everywhere...

@Dinosauraddict

I would consider ameliorate to be a common word, but I just had to Google copacetic from this thread - which I hadn't come across before!

Ah. Read American crime novels from the 50s. Used there a lot!

@TeenyTinyDustinHoffman

I know it because I have seen it written down and have looked it up. I think I've probably used it in pieces of writing. I don't think I have EVER heard someone say it.

I detest the idea that a wide vocabulary should be pretentious but I don't think the word ameliorate is anywhere near as common as some people on here are making out.

It's also really bloody rude to suggest that someone not knowing this word is because they haven't read enough. By whose standards? You can draw a correlation between those who read a lot and those who have a wider vocabulary but you would be stupid to assume someone's reading habits on the basis of a single word.

And the posters competing over how well read they are? Even if you're well versed in Chaucer by the time you were out of nappies, there will always be words you don't know. And someone else will know them. And, if that someone else is as patronising as you, you can look forward to being asked "Did you read much when you were growing up?"

I was curious about the reading because that's how my vocabulary expanded. And my general knowledge

Not being rude at all.

I have always adored reading, ever since I was a child. I went to university, studied languages, did no end of literature in three languages. Yet my vocabulary is very limited.

I think the majority of people on here that know the word have either studied a Latin based language or law. Otherwise it’s not that known.

Was just reading today’s NYT and this jumped out:

“ The toll on Black and Hispanic Americans “could easily have been ameliorated in advance of the pandemic by a less threadbare and cruel approach to social welfare and health care in the U.S.,” he added. “Even failing that, so much of this could have been avoided.”

Could probably find a couple other articles using this uncommon word, and the usage shows it being used in a perfectly normal manner, not unnecessarily obscure at all.

Yes, it’s a word I use. Plenty of people I know and work with also use it. It’s probably not one of the most commonly used but I don’t think it’s that unusual:

It is common in some circles and not in others. The people 'back home' where I grew up wouldn't know what it meant - the majority at least. I learnt it probably at uni or after. In my professional circles most people would know what it means.

Than you @BarbaraofSeville. I've never heard that term and would definitely query its use. Is it an Americanism? Surely it should just say remedy though? Or is it a specific industrial process?

You know the word remedial right?