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In reply to the discussion: "Brobdingnagian ego" [View all]

MineralMan

(146,284 posts)
4. Me, too.
Fri Nov 23, 2018, 12:06 PM
Nov 2018

Interestingly enough, people will understand the meaning right away, from the context. Most people who know anything about Gulliver's Travels, will only know the Lilliput story from Swift's satirical book. These days, the number of youngsters exposed to it is probably far smaller than it used to be.

More's the pity.

"Brobdingnagian ego" [View all] Raven Nov 2018 OP
.01 percent of the US population will recognize that word. MineralMan Nov 2018 #1
I know. That's why I liked it. Raven Nov 2018 #2
Me, too. MineralMan Nov 2018 #4
OK. I had to look it up. Turbineguy Nov 2018 #3
It's a great example of how people learn word meanings from context, though. MineralMan Nov 2018 #6
Sad, but true. The state of vocabulary and literary sophistication is steadily declining. 3catwoman3 Nov 2018 #9
The size of a person's vocabulary says a lot about how much he or she reads. MineralMan Nov 2018 #16
Sadly, I think you are corect. Liberal In Texas Nov 2018 #22
It doesn't trip off the tongue customerserviceguy Nov 2018 #26
Combined with Lilliputian abilities. 3catwoman3 Nov 2018 #5
Abilities and, apparently, some body parts. MineralMan Nov 2018 #7
I knew if I did not comment on that, someone... 3catwoman3 Nov 2018 #10
At your service... MineralMan Nov 2018 #11
trump thinks that he is a lock for Time Person of the Year Gothmog Nov 2018 #8
Can you say it again for me? Oneironaut Nov 2018 #12
Funny...I know what it means but I can't pronounce it. Raven Nov 2018 #13
"One more time. Now, say it three times fast" Oneironaut Nov 2018 #15
Poor Raj and his little bird. SMC22307 Nov 2018 #19
I caught that swiftly. Good morning all my quick witted friends... Hekate Nov 2018 #14
I guess Thanksgiving is a time to think back... Raven Nov 2018 #17
Houyhnhnm society is the best ProudLib72 Nov 2018 #18
OK - had to look that one up. 3catwoman3 Nov 2018 #20
That's a tough one for sure ProudLib72 Nov 2018 #21
Whoever came up with the name for 'Yahoo' search etc. obviously didn't! nt Princess Turandot Nov 2018 #23
Do you think Yahoo Serious would have been bigger if he were named Houyhnhnm Serious? ProudLib72 Nov 2018 #24
Lilipution intellect edhopper Nov 2018 #25
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