Re: [OT] Terrific - was: [tlug] email programs

[Sam Tilders <sam@example.com>]

On Mon, 26 May 2003 16:58, Godwin Stewart wrote:
> And Thus Spake "J. David Beutel" <jdb@example.com> (on Mon, 26 May 2003
>
> 16:14:21 +0900 (JST)):
> > Main Entry: ter?rif?ic
> > Pronunciation: t&-'ri-fik
> > Function: adjective
> > Etymology: Latin terrificus, from terrEre to frighten
> > Date: 1667
> > 1 a : very bad : FRIGHTFUL b : exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
> > 2 : EXTRAORDINARY <terrific speed>
> > 3 : unusually fine : MAGNIFICENT <terrific weather>
>
> It's a bit like the French word "Formidable" which means exactly the same
> things - in both the good and bad senses.

Isn't it also like the Japanese "sugoi"?

Jim Breen's WWWJDIC, thanks Jim, says... 
(http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html)

sugoi:
(adj) terrible; dreadful; terrific; amazing; great; wonderful; to a great 
extent;

Of course, I'm still learning Japanese so I'm not entirely sure how common 
practice it is to use "sugoi" in seemingly opposite 
contexts (ie: wonderful, dreadful).

-- Sam

-- 
--
Sam Tilders
sam@example.com

Cogito Ergo Sum - I think, therefore I am.  (Descartes)