‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Frankenfood’: Creator or creation?

apple with two bolts in it

“Apple” played by Core-is Karloff

One of the signs that a certain level of education has been achieved (or perhaps just a certain type) is how a person approaches the word. Frankenstein. Some people think that the use of the word should be limited to describing someone who has created a monster, others think it is okay to describe a monster in this way and feel quite passionate about it. this topic, and others still don’t really think about it one way or another. other. Here’s what our English Usage Dictionary says on the matter:

For absolute mediocrity, some objects may question whether it is okay to use Frankenstein to refer to creation, the monster, and not just its creator.

Figurative Use of ‘Frankenstein’

‘Absolutely mediocre’ is one of our middle names (along with ‘don’t invite back’, ‘I didn’t ask’ and ‘unwelcome diner’), so we’re open to considering this question. Frankenstein is, of course, the name of a novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, published in 1818, which tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, who artificially created humans (with clearly undesirable results) . EQUAL Frankenstein is the name of the scientist who brought the monster to life, some argue that this should be reflected in the use of the name. In the earliest cases of Frankenstein used figuratively (referring to an entity other than the main character in the original book), it is for the creator of life, rather than the creature.

One can allow Frankenstein to create his clay figure, and can give it life and movement; but only something else can supply the Promethean fire from heaven, to inspire it with human affection.— the Athenians(Boston, MA), February 15, 1830

They told me that I should establish a great principle, which no human power can control; that I should, like a Frankenstein, create a monster of immense strength…— Independent Sheffield (Sheffield, England), October 16, 1830

However, it didn’t take long for people to expand the use of the name further and apply it to already created things. Only 16 years after the book was published, the writer started using Frankenstein this way.

Appeals to the public are ticklish things. The public has big bodies and small souls; it’s slightly better than Frankenstein.— New British magazine (Boston, MA), January-June 1834

We provide three definitions for Frankenstein: “the protagonist of Mary W. Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, who creates a monster that destroys his life,” “a monster that takes the form of a man, especially in the movies.” popular version of the Frankenstein story,” and “a work of monstrosity (especially one that destroys its originator). We added ‘monster’ to ‘monster maker’ in 1934; This usage is hardly new and is certainly the most common by now. However, it is not uncommon to come across people who insist that it is necessary to distinguish between Frankenstein (scientist) and Frankenstein’s monster(scientist’s creation).

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As a prefix

In recent years the beginning of Frankenstein split off, and can be found acting as a prefix, with the loose sense of ‘modified (especially in genetics).’ The most common such word is FrankenfoodBut Franken– can be found in addition to things like meat, dogAnd from.

In the United States, pressure groups have dubbed them “Frankenfoods,” conjuring up images of a mad scientist stirring a pot of poison.— Nigel Hawker, Time (London, England), September 26, 1992

Filet? No thanks— (subject line) Letter to the editor, Casper Star Tribune(Casper, WY), June 3, 2003

Our affection for these Frankenwords will terrify the classically educated language police of the 19th century, both British and American.— Jan Freeman, Boston GlobeFebruary 27, 2005

Like “wholphins” or “ligers,” these portmanteau hybrid names are all about weirdness — a bit of Franken-dog — and predictability, and branding, and thus justification for charging. four numbers for what would have been, or of course, a dead dog.— Britt Peterson, Boston GlobeJuly 13, 2014

Not a single sense of Frankenstein that we identify as discriminatory; you can safely describe a monster, or a monstrous creature, as a Frankenstein. Unless you want to be the particular kind of rigid person who insists on Frankenstein’s monster (everybody Love that person), in which case we must notify you that you are currently required to use only Frankenfood refers to the grower of genetically modified crops, not food.

Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn

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