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    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #1

    Apr 20, 2011, 04:17 AM
    Words like ruthless. Why is the word ruth so uncommon?
    This is an odd word in that it is fairly common, however it's base word of ruth is rarely used. Isn't that odd?

    What other words like that are common in English?

    Just curious.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #2

    Apr 20, 2011, 08:02 AM

    Couth (uncouth)

    Erst (erstwhile)

    Canard (That's a base canard!)

    Prithee (pray thee, ask you)

    Forsooth (indeed)

    Zounds (wow!)

    Gadzooks (wow!)
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #3

    Apr 20, 2011, 12:06 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    couth (uncouth)

    erst (erstwhile)

    canard (That's a base canard!)

    prithee (pray thee, ask you)

    forsooth (indeed)

    zounds (wow!)

    gadzooks (wow!)
    I like the first one. I would call "uncouth" a common word but I don't recall the last time that I heard someone use the word "couth".

    As for the other ones, I do not see them as the same. I cannot think of the last time that I heard anyone use (verbally or in writing) the other ones.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #4

    Apr 20, 2011, 01:24 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by RickJ View Post
    I like the first one. I would call "uncouth" a common word but I don't recall the last time that I heard someone use the word "couth".
    There is no such word as "couth."
    As for the other ones, I do not see them as the same. I cannot think of the last time that I heard anyone use (verbally or in writing) the other ones.
    Most of them are used nowadays by gamers, depending on the game, of course.

    Then there's troth, something that people plight.
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    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #5

    Apr 21, 2011, 07:09 AM

    Ok, so back to my question.

    "ruth" is a legit word, but it's rarely used.

    "ruthless" is a common word.

    What other words are out there that are rarely used - where a prefix or suffix to the word is common?
    aliseaodo's Avatar
    aliseaodo Posts: 1,671, Reputation: 259
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    #6

    Apr 22, 2011, 01:06 PM

    Out of curiosity, how would one use the word 'ruth' in a sentence? -

    (I looked it up in my dictionary, and it only has the description of the woman Ruth, from the bible. So I imagine 'ruthless' is used to describe a person or action that is considered 'without Ruth', as in without pity or compassion - traits that are tied to Ruth, but I'm not sure how to use the root word 'ruth' - and technically, should it be capitalized (Ruth), because it is actually a proper name? ) Love the English language - learn something new everyday!

    - anyway, back to your question about root words not commonly used, what about 'assail'? - I hear the word 'assailant' all the time - but not 'assail'...
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #7

    Apr 22, 2011, 02:56 PM

    See also rue ("I'll forever rue the date I met you!") --

    ruth

    [rooth]
    Noun
    Archaic
    1. pity; compassion
    2. repentance; remorse
    3. grief or distress
    [from rewen to rue]

    Origin: 1125–75; Middle English ruthe, reuthe.

    —Synonyms
    1. mercy, sympathy.

    —Antonyms
    1. cruelty.

    The name Ruth means compassion, pity.

    And just for fun --

    Noun: a women's restroom. (See also john.) : Point me toward the ruth!

    Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears. Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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