ameliorate AIBU?

[LightTheFlameThrower]

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

I would also expect an English graduate to know it.

I would consider the more commonly known and understood word 'improve' perfectly adequate unless you're trying to impress people Makes note: Must remember to dumb down...

It's a key word for GCSE Geography

So to reframe the question,

Would you use the word in a message to someone you viewed to be “not quite up to your standards”?

(Obviously I’m not up to standard as I didn’t know the weird meant)

It's a very useful word actually

@LightTheFlameThrower

So to reframe the question,

Would you use the word in a message to someone you viewed to be “not quite up to your standards”?

(Obviously I’m not up to standard as I didn’t know the weird meant)

If they worked in a profession where fairly high-level vocabulary was expected, then yes.

I do not have nor do I intend to sit geography gcse

Not the most common of words, but fairly frequent.

I use it, expect people I work with to know it & use it. But I know that many people don't know what it means too.

Every day is a school day.... 40 and thought it was a baby name 😂

@EmilySpinach but I don’t I work in a profession where high level adding up i required

yes it is

[quote LightTheFlameThrower]@EmilySpinach but I don’t I work in a profession where high level adding up i required[/quote]
Is it a graduate profession? If so I think it’s reasonable to use the word (even if most have degrees in maths, sciences etc).

@LightTheFlameThrower

Doesn’t surprise me. I went to Oxbridge and had no clue what it meant ( didn’t read English)

I didn't go to university, or do A levels, but I know what it means.

@LightTheFlameThrower

So to reframe the question,

Would you use the word in a message to someone you viewed to be “not quite up to your standards”?

(Obviously I’m not up to standard as I didn’t know the weird meant)

No! Becuae until now I didn't kow it was considered dd, snobby r anything else unpleasant! It's a word I know and use as and when.

Generally when 'improve' or 'make better' isn't enough.

Like the dog... chewing the corner of the coffee table. Improve the behaviour or the corner of the coffee table?

I meant ameliorate the damage done... act to ensure it didn't happen again.. expecting that to take time and not be immediate AND to take steps to fix the bloody thing.. again taking time and not being a simple quick fix!

It's a becoming not an instant thing!

Not one in common usage, but I do know it and have seen it occasionally used.

I know it is the name of a cream, I've personally never used this word, but I have heard other people using this word.

I would use the word in a message to anyone I wanted to. How do I know what vocabulary somebody else has? If the recipient hasn't heard of it and doesn't get the context from the sentence, I would expect them to look it up on Google.
Or start a thread on MN.

I don’t know it. Never heard anyone use it. Never even read it until tonight and I read A LOT.

I might use it in an email. I'm amazed people with degrees from Oxbridge don't know it. Making my degree look pretty good right now, I must say.

I work in housing though. I suppose amelioration is a thing here.

I'm aware of its meaning, can spell it and use it in a sentence... Wouldn't describe it as 'commonly' used, but "in regular use", perhaps... It's a very satisfying word to say, in any case 😁

I'm sure I have heard it on the weather forecast from time to time!

I’d expect most people I know to understand it. I like the word remediate as well, use that multiple times a day.

I’m amazed that people assume that an Oxbridge degree might mean anything more that reasonable competent at the subject read.

It's the sort of word I'd use and DH would advise me of 'making up words'.

This happens quite often (and is light-hearted larks, not either of us being snobby or snippy; we just have very different vocabularies).