horrified usage grump
Dec. 31st, 2006 10:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jinianCAPRICE. "Capricious" comes from "caprice". There is no need for the hideous word "capriciousness". I realize English doesn't have regular noun and adjective formation rules, but come on.
... Oh, hell, all the dictionaries I've just checked list "capriciousness" and NOT "caprice". I understand "caprice" may be singular, but you don't need the ugly evil word, really!
... Oh, hell, all the dictionaries I've just checked list "capriciousness" and NOT "caprice". I understand "caprice" may be singular, but you don't need the ugly evil word, really!
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Date: 2006-12-31 08:17 pm (UTC)I guess "caprice" often refers to a specific capricious behavior or act, as opposed to the quality of having caprice(s) — that is, caprice:capriciousness:capricious :: whim:whimsy:whimsical.
My dictionary says that it literally meant something like "hedgehog-head" or "hedgehog-haired".
no subject
Date: 2007-01-01 03:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-01 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-31 09:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-31 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-02 08:27 pm (UTC)