Sound and Sense, 17

Our English dictionary has in it many words whose sounds and meanings can … confuse. In this next series of doggerel, I’ll be writing about several sorts of such words.

The first—the contronym: a word, says the Oxford English Dictionary, that has “two opposite or contradictory meanings.”

Earliest published use: 1962.

off adj.

1. deactivated

2. activated (as an alarm)

I thought I turned the dumb thing off—

Was positive I did.

But when the fire alarm went off,

I simply ran and hid.

My boss, of course, knew where I hid—

And found me soon enough,

“I told you: ‘Turn the damn thing off!’”

I thought he sounded … gruff.

I cried and whimpered, made excuse—

My usual display.

But he was angry—burning up—

And fired me anyway.