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.
trim verb
1. to
decorate
2. to remove
excess from
We had a
Christmas tree to trim,
But I was
full up—to the brim—
With all the
orders straight from him.
“So how
about we trim your nose!”
I barked at
him—we were not bros.
“This
knife,” I said, “a wise one knows,
Will trim
you up so perfectly—
And (best of
all) it’s all for free!”
And then he
seemed to change his mind—
And suddenly
turned very kind,
The kindest
man that you could find.
And so his
nose remained untrimmed.
And all my
prospects now undimmed.
And later,
sure, they found I skimmed
Donations
from the offering plate.
By then I’d
fled—another state—
Where, I
confess, I’m feeling great!
I find there's very little crime.
And socially? No need to climb:
Our prison meals are right on time.
I find there's very little crime.
And socially? No need to climb:
Our prison meals are right on time.
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