I once dated someone who, whenever they did something nice for me and I thanked them, would say, "Of course. You deserve it." It drove me BANANAS, because I always felt, no one EARNS love and kindness, it just is! Especially in a relationship! Everyone "deserves" love. That relationship ended poorly, by the way, which perhaps we both "deserved," lol.
Ouch! The way deserve is used in our culture, it always implies earned. Super ick, I guess the person you dated learned that phrase by needing to earn love in their family of origin? Side note: I can happily discuss connotation (how a word is used] vs denotation [the dictionary meaning] for hours, when I find a willing partner. It usually starts with decimate😄
I seldom find a willing partner in my connotation obsession. I’ve not read Dryer’s English though it has been recommended to me, I keep waiting till I have enough eye time to read it rather than listen. Thanks for the rec.
Yes, I imagine it would be more fun to see all the puns rather than hear them…and discussions of commas and everything. Haha lack of willing partners in that discussion 😹
I once dated someone who, whenever they did something nice for me and I thanked them, would say, "Of course. You deserve it." It drove me BANANAS, because I always felt, no one EARNS love and kindness, it just is! Especially in a relationship! Everyone "deserves" love. That relationship ended poorly, by the way, which perhaps we both "deserved," lol.
Ouch! The way deserve is used in our culture, it always implies earned. Super ick, I guess the person you dated learned that phrase by needing to earn love in their family of origin? Side note: I can happily discuss connotation (how a word is used] vs denotation [the dictionary meaning] for hours, when I find a willing partner. It usually starts with decimate😄
Lol I would make a bad partner in that discussion but reminds me: have you read Dryer’s English? Wonder if you would enjoy…
I seldom find a willing partner in my connotation obsession. I’ve not read Dryer’s English though it has been recommended to me, I keep waiting till I have enough eye time to read it rather than listen. Thanks for the rec.
Yes, I imagine it would be more fun to see all the puns rather than hear them…and discussions of commas and everything. Haha lack of willing partners in that discussion 😹
And ps I haven’t read it! Just know about it from some fellow language nerds…