We understand. You had a nice stay.
Example #237 in our category ‘ways in which English can be a little more complicated than it needs to be, don’t you think?’ is the prefix IN-. This innocent-looking duo of letters can mean “put in or up” (as with inspire), it can have meanings like “in or in” and “into, towards, or on” (as in access into), and it can mean “no” (as in amazing).
The Original Meaning of ‘Incredible’
When amazing first began to be used, in the 15th century, to mean “too extraordinary and unbelievable.”
To her, his dye might not be that surprising. For she knows well that she is not born of human seed but of the Inspiration of Dye.— Jacobus de Voragine, Legenda aurea sanctorum1483
For it has been said before that it is unbelievable to be created with mannes honde or destroyed by mane power.— Ranulf Higden, board1502
It didn’t take long for writers to start using the word in a slightly weakened sense. Not as weak as ‘my brunch was simply unbelievable’, but enough that it could be interpreted in terms of ‘awesome’ rather than ‘unbelievable’.
This amazing disgust easily surpasses all capacite mennes.— John Frith, A pistle for the reader Christen1529
…he finds it appropriate to his incredible knowledge and wisdom that it is appropriate for Adam to live his life in Paradyse alone and completely alone without companions, but also not well done.— Edward Fox, Decisions on the most famous and outstanding features of Italy and France1531
‘Unbelievable’ took a similar path
similar to amazing, unbelievable begins to mean “too unbelievable”, before taking on a slightly weakened meaning.
This was considered very good to Almighty God, so that then all creatures can understand, nothing is too scary for man, which the power of God God cannot do it, if it is to His pleasure.— Desiderius Erasmus, The first book or volume of the Interpretation of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente1548
What to do when not being thanked for keeping the door open 1. Look directly at the culprit 2. Say “Nothing” 3. Shake your head 4. Mumble “Unbelievable”— walkie talkie (London, UK), October 1, 2017
Despite the fact that unbelievable And amazing With a bit of flexibility, not all words in English including {negative prefix} + {belief adjective} are expanded in the same way. Not believe still mainly refers to not being gullibleAnd inconsequential is almost always limited to meaning “unreasonable.”
So for those who have been trying to figure out all the roles of IN-, has a wildcard: any word that uses this as a negative prefix can slip from their semantic anchors. One of the things that makes English such an incredible language.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
