hopelessly devoted to deconstructing popular culture and conventional wisdom, one blog at a time

Published Wednesday, August 17, 2005 by seanlmccarthy | E-mail this post

POSITIVE THINKING ABOUT NEGATIVE WORDS: Why do we only see some words in a negative light? A couple of examples today reminded me of the quirkiness of our so-called English language. In sports, many reported on the return to training camp of disgruntled wide receiver Terrell Owens. A separate press release (or was it an e-mail? no matter) sent my way referred to an upcoming theatrical production of a classic unrequited love story. Do you see where I'm heading? When have you ever heard of a gruntled worker? Or requited love?

"How is the new job working out, Bob? You seem quite gruntled recently."
or
"He is such a gruntled employee. He brings doughnuts for everyone in the office every Monday."

See what I mean?
But why have some words lost their positive origins altogether? Can you think of other examples? What do you suppose happened?

This endeth the tangent.