[net.nlang] Words fraught with meaning

svw (03/03/83)

Y'ever notice that....  (grumble. start over.)

Y'ever notice that some words that are supposed to be neutral are commonly
given all sorts of connotations? For instance, "ilk". I think "ilk"
is only supposed to mean "type" or "category", but most often it would
seem to mean "particular kind of stupidity," as in "the National
Enquirer and its ilk." [quoted from net.philosophy article on
psychic phenomena].  Has anyone ever seen this word used in an
apparently non-negative context?

Another example is "mentality", which is obviously a synonym for
"delusional insanity". E.g.: military mentality (spoken by flaming 
pacifists). What do you suppose the chances are that someone who speaks
about "the vegetarian mentality" subscribes to the Vegetarian Times?
Pretty slim, I think.

Any comments or other examples?

 				Crown Prince Burton
				Member of the Usenet Ilk.

mmt (03/08/83)

I think "Crown Prince Burton, Member of the Usenet Ilk" is almost
correct in his use of "Ilk". I believe it originally meant "clan",
as in "The MacGregor of that Ilk", which refers to the chief of the
clan MacGregor. Other uses are by extension, and I don't think
the word has a bad connotation overall (though to some people, it may).
		Martin Taylor
PS If I were less lazy, I'd look it up in the OED, but you can do
that for yourselves if you want.

bhayes (03/24/83)

#R:mitccc:-41200:sri-unix:3500002:000:351
sri-unix!bhayes    Mar 23 22:52:00 1983

Well, likewise, I wouldn't want to look it up, but I understand that 
"ilk" came about thus:  if you were Lord Snagle and lived in Floon,
you would be Lord Snagle of Floon.  But if you were Lord Snagle and
lived at the family estate at Snagle, you would be Lord Snagle, of that ilk.

Anyone with a better story should post it, and I'll delete mine...