Baby Got Back-Formations

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Oh that's right--too bad it would not have worked for you here.

No, no--the one-handed typing thing is a different list! ;-)

Sorry--I was so busy ranting I missed the word! Teach me!

I can just see you typing with one hand while holding your nose with the other.

I do feel better now.

Surveil's on there, s--hard to find in a long list, I guess. :-) And commentate--AAAGH! It hurts! Added. It has been around a long time. But apparently it has only recently taken on its present connotation. Maybe we can console ourselves with that.

Also commentate, that odious word. ;-) Actually, I was surprised to find how long that word has been in use--I assumed it was a recent abomination. And a verbification to boot.

All opinions expressed belong strictly to the commentator and do not reflect on the actual value of the word.

Surveil is a back-formation of surveillance (and one for which I happen to have antipathy.) Perhaps it belongs on this list?

Since I know someone will ask, my preference is "To put/keep under surveillance." More words, yes, but easier on my sensibilities.

Thanks, slumry. Honestly, I wasn't aware that some of these were back-formations until I looked them up. It was an interesting exercise. And I agree--some are truly abominable. :-)

I am going to linger here a while. I have had it in mind to make a list of back-formations myself, but I would not have thought of many of these. I love it. Remind me to add abomination to my list, if I have not already done so. I am not saying these are all abominations, of course, but some back-formations certainly are abominations to my ear.

You're among friends, john. And meeralee, as for "impactive"--sounds like a personal problem, don't you think? Eeesh.

Not a back formation, but today I read an ad looking for "impactive" photographs.

Gaaaaargh.

Glad to see some kindred souls here who hate language-mangling...

Oddly, sionnach, I don't think either of those words is a back-formation (although I could be wrong). Anyway, they *should* be. They sound wrenching enough.

But my all-time favorite (eeesh) is "conversate." Just looking at it gives me the willies.

Presumably this is the process which gives us such unnecessary coinages as obligate and orientate. And I have seen the "word" pronunciate in print. More than once.

Excuse me. I have to go rend my garments.

Lots of hilarious fake back-formations here.