Jealousy and envy are not synonymous.

[Habbibu]

They really aren't. They're verging on being opposite, in fact. I suspect that they will become synonymous, actually, but while I can rant about it, I will.

How did you become disgusting? (fascinated face).

Well, yes. As I also don't use LOL, ROFL, PMSL and their ilk. So I do find it difficult to express amusement. How did you become more disgusting, Iorek? Were you ever more crude in your use of emoticons?

I think we should have Tolstoy-icons:

He is always using descriptions like "He had the facial expression of a man who, having determined on a course of action despite his lack of desire was nonetheless prepared to take a different course in the light of his sister's preference"

When I read him thousands of years ago I was always having to screw up my face in the manner he described and I found that it was only once I had made the face that I understood the emotion.

Need a photo, or perhaps an artist's impression of that one, Thready. I think I may lack some key facial muscles.

And it rather suggests that reading Tolstoy after having botox is going to be a very frustrating exercise.

Yes!!!! What a marvellous idea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You misunderstand me - I just mean that I felt as though I was dying a small but unpleasant death every time I forced myself to do this , this or especially this

urgh

ARGH I WANT TO EXPRESS MY AMUSEMENT AT THREADWORRM'S LAST POST, BUT... I... DON'T... HAVE.. THE... WORDS...

I need an emoticon to express my astonishment and shame at having misused the word 'jealous' all these years, but that also conveys gratitude that my ignorance has been corrected. I will use the word 'jealous' correctly at least 10 times before the day is out.

Was going to say 'lol' re botox but instead I will report that I have the facial expression of one who combines amusement at a bon mot with an amount of envy towards the one who made it, plus a jealous regard for Pedant's Corner at the forum for such jollity.

Crusha, Thready's your gal. She'll write a copy-and-paste list of useful facial expressions that can go next to the MN abbreviations link. They may need a new server to hold all the words.

Oh fuck.

I am envious of other people's superior word power, and will jealously guard my new knowledge with the hope of catching DP out at some point later this evening (this may prove an odd conversation to contrive).

I prefer to PMSL. It's polite to tell people they have made you laugh. But having to discuss the inadequacy of one's pelvic floor in order to convey appreciation really is de trop. I use the emoticon in the interests of manners and good taste.

I have never used the P!!L abbreviation. It is ugly.

I am ashamed now of my emoticon usage: -- Do you see my shame?

God, this has turned into Wankers' Corner reunited. Crusha - you're trapped now. That's it. It's all Tolstoyian facial expressions and perversely contrived conversations from now on.

What about CAPS, or bold? Or other forms of emphasis?

Italics fine, bold excessive, and may be patronising, CAPS a sign of un-genteel loss of control. Or dodgy keyboard.

Threadworrm, I feel your emoticons are always delivered well - I particularly remember your many diverting self-portraits.

Swedes, have you ever thought of writing a book of etiquette?

Love Threadworrm's interpretive Tolstoy reading

I have the same thing with Trollope but it's rather the opposite - Trollope says things like "she succeeded in appearing as if the meaning of his words had entirely escaped her" - which makes me do trying-to-empty- face-of-expression gurning, & probably ends up v like Threadworrm

Another distinction I've heard made about jealousy & envy is jealousy is about people and envy is about things

I sometimes feel that italics are a bit Brian Sewell