I think I agree with Patrick (if indeed I understand what is meant by the inner ear). It doesn't sound right to me either. It's a nice word though.
When I was a boy, I kept a little notebook in which I wrote new words I had come across or words I just liked. I remember one in particular that caused me problems: enervate. I couldn't get its meaning into my head at all. It looked and sounded all wrong. If something had an enervating effect, surely it must involve an increase in vigour or energy. And not the oppposite. A rather obvious and silly example, but as a child it bugged me no end. Why not scrap that word, I thought, and come up with another word that sounded more like its meaning?
I think I agree with Patrick (if indeed I understand what is meant by the inner ear). It doesn't sound right to me either. It's a nice word though.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a boy, I kept a little notebook in which I wrote new words I had come across or words I just liked. I remember one in particular that caused me problems: enervate. I couldn't get its meaning into my head at all. It looked and sounded all wrong. If something had an enervating effect, surely it must involve an increase in vigour or energy. And not the oppposite. A rather obvious and silly example, but as a child it bugged me no end. Why not scrap that word, I thought, and come up with another word that sounded more like its meaning?