Wednesday 31 August 2016

Dumbsmart Words



Who's the brilliant person that came up with the word "spendthrift".

I'd like to have a "word" with that person.

Spendthrift: A person who spends possessions or money wastefully.

That's great, except it's made up of two words that are kind of the opposite of each other.

Spend: Well, that's easy. It means to spend.

Thrift (or Thrifty): No, it's not a pair of jeans. It means frugal.

"Hey Frank, we need a word for someone who spends too much money. Can you think of something?"

"Overspender?"

"Come on, that's too easy."

"My wife?"

"Stop being silly. I was thinking we'd combine the word "spend" with a word that means the opposite, like "thrift". Wouldn't that clear things up?"

"Spendthrift? Won't people think that means to spend in a thrifty kind of way?"

"Nooooo. Where are you getting this nonsense? Beside, we'll be dead by the time people catch on."

"Okay, then. You're right. It does clear things up."

I think creating the word "spendthrift" was "dumbsmart", "sillywise" and "insightfulstupid".