Saturday, July 2, 2016

Sound and Sense, 28



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.

temper verb
1. to soften
2. to strengthen

“Please temper your remarks,” he urged.
"Your passion should be somewhat purged.”

“I’ll temper them,” I said. “I feel
I’ll temper them like finest steel.”

"That's not exactly what I meant,”
My boss replied. So then I went

A bit berserk. He was surprised—
Had never seen me exercised.

And so he fired me—sweet old me!
But now, at last, I’m free! I’m free!

**

My newest friend is Penury—
Which happens with no salary.

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