why are terrible and horrible basically the same thing but horrific and terrific are basically the opposite

509 views

English will never be something I fully understand

In: 9830

20 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Word change meanings, as others have said – so Terrific changed meaning

Reminds me of this quote from Terry Pratchett

“Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.
Elves are bad.”

You are viewing 1 out of 20 answers, click here to view all answers.