This blog is for everyone who uses words.

The ordinary-sized words are for everyone, but the big ones are especially for children.



Sunday 26 February 2012

Sunday Rest: Word Not To Use Today: limousine.

Oh, this word is really nasty, isn't it: an ooze of smugness.

Limousines are practically always stretched, nowadays, which does make them fun - especially when they're trying to inch their way round the ridiculously narrow streets of an English town.

And, hey, it's nice that people, especially young people, get the chance to pretend to be rich and important.

But, I don't know, whenever I see a stretch limousine I always sort of wonder how many people have been ill over the seats.

The idea of having a special word for large expensive car is just horrible, anyway. Can anyone who's impressed by the length of your bonnet* be worth impressing, after all?

Word Not To Use Today: limousine. This word is French, means from Limousin and it started off meaning a shepherd's cloak. When first applied to a car, it meant one where the roof of the passengers' section extended forwards to shelter the driver.

*I think in America you call them hoods.

7 comments:

  1. I call them 'stretch limos' and then that sounds neat and proper....it's the MOU in the middle that does the harm. They are silly, though in a good way.

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    1. And another comment from a car. Well, everything is getting smarter, isn't it. Thank you!

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