What does the same-ish mean?Use of the suffix -ishWhat does “rather” mean in “rather Jimmy Olsen-ish”?“Underperform the debt”What does “Honeykins” mean?Intensifiers: Which one intensifies to the highest degree, and which one to the lowest?Are the verbs “parlay” and “draw on” interchangeable?Chill wind or Chilly windWhat's the difference between 'bluffing', 'bragging' and 'showing off'Is the phrase “repeat again” always symmantically when requesting a repetition?The spelling rule of -ment
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What does the same-ish mean?
Use of the suffix -ishWhat does “rather” mean in “rather Jimmy Olsen-ish”?“Underperform the debt”What does “Honeykins” mean?Intensifiers: Which one intensifies to the highest degree, and which one to the lowest?Are the verbs “parlay” and “draw on” interchangeable?Chill wind or Chilly windWhat's the difference between 'bluffing', 'bragging' and 'showing off'Is the phrase “repeat again” always symmantically when requesting a repetition?The spelling rule of -ment
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I encounter such a sentence in a homework assignment:
It seems that the burn-in is adequate, that they are all converging to
the same-ish posteriour value, and that there is good mixing.
I don't know if the -ish
is appended here just to reduce the extent of sameness? Is it just a synonym of similar or alike and etc?
And can I add -ish
to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
grammar word-usage adjectives suffixes
|
show 2 more comments
I encounter such a sentence in a homework assignment:
It seems that the burn-in is adequate, that they are all converging to
the same-ish posteriour value, and that there is good mixing.
I don't know if the -ish
is appended here just to reduce the extent of sameness? Is it just a synonym of similar or alike and etc?
And can I add -ish
to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
grammar word-usage adjectives suffixes
3
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
2
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
1
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
1
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
I encounter such a sentence in a homework assignment:
It seems that the burn-in is adequate, that they are all converging to
the same-ish posteriour value, and that there is good mixing.
I don't know if the -ish
is appended here just to reduce the extent of sameness? Is it just a synonym of similar or alike and etc?
And can I add -ish
to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
grammar word-usage adjectives suffixes
I encounter such a sentence in a homework assignment:
It seems that the burn-in is adequate, that they are all converging to
the same-ish posteriour value, and that there is good mixing.
I don't know if the -ish
is appended here just to reduce the extent of sameness? Is it just a synonym of similar or alike and etc?
And can I add -ish
to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
grammar word-usage adjectives suffixes
grammar word-usage adjectives suffixes
edited 2 days ago
J.R.♦
100k8129249
100k8129249
asked 2 days ago
Lerner ZhangLerner Zhang
89611129
89611129
3
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
2
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
1
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
1
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
3
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
2
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
1
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
1
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago
3
3
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
2
2
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
1
1
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
1
1
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Adding an '-ish' at the end of a word is generally done in informal contexts, mostly to make the reference sound deliberately vague and approximate. (Source)
Here, the speaker has added the suffix because he isn't completely sure of the similarity with the posterior value.
You can add the suffix to words, to bring about a hint of uncertainty. For example,
Person 1 : What time is it?
Person 2 : I don't know. I think it should be around twelve-ish?
Update
As pointed out by Michael Kay, if the adjective points to an extreme, then '-ish' implies less extreme; 'small-ish' is less small than small; 'cold-ish' is less cold than cold; 'same-ish' is less similar than same. So '-ish' not only conveys approximation but can also assign less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
add a comment |
Another answer already explains the meaning of -ish, but I'd like to address this question you also asked:
can I add -ish to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
My answer to that would be: perhaps – but don't overdo it.
The suffix works well for some adjectives, such as colors:
They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats, giving sloths a greenish tint that can be used as camouflage in the trees. (Indianapolis Star, 2018)
However, I would NOT recommend applying the suffix haphazardly to just about any adjective. There are many cases where an -ish suffix would sound, well, amateurish, where it would probably be better to avoid using it, especially in formal contexts.
For example, consider size adjectives. Adjectives that connote extremes (such as tiny, infinitesimal, massive, or vast) don't work very well with -ish, and the ngrams reflect that.
Also, if a friend asked if I was hungry, I suppose I could say, "I'm hungryish," but most natives would opt for a phrase like, "I'm kind of hungry," or "I'm a little hungry," instead, and the ngrams support that, too.
Other adjectives that sound odd with -ish would include: delicious, tired, or miserable, but faint and loud seem to work okay:
Two-thirds the way along the Arcturus-to-Vega line brings you to a pattern of four faintish stars resembling the shape of the stone block (The Telegraph, 2017)
On Monday night, a few dozen noodleists came out for cocktails, soup, loudish Ramones and the bar's retro, antique-radio vibe. (New York Times, 2014).
If your spellchecker puts a red squiggly line under a word with -ish, it might be better to use an adverb like rather instead. (For example: He was rather thirsty after the game might be a safer option than He was thirstyish after the game.)
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Adding an '-ish' at the end of a word is generally done in informal contexts, mostly to make the reference sound deliberately vague and approximate. (Source)
Here, the speaker has added the suffix because he isn't completely sure of the similarity with the posterior value.
You can add the suffix to words, to bring about a hint of uncertainty. For example,
Person 1 : What time is it?
Person 2 : I don't know. I think it should be around twelve-ish?
Update
As pointed out by Michael Kay, if the adjective points to an extreme, then '-ish' implies less extreme; 'small-ish' is less small than small; 'cold-ish' is less cold than cold; 'same-ish' is less similar than same. So '-ish' not only conveys approximation but can also assign less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
add a comment |
Adding an '-ish' at the end of a word is generally done in informal contexts, mostly to make the reference sound deliberately vague and approximate. (Source)
Here, the speaker has added the suffix because he isn't completely sure of the similarity with the posterior value.
You can add the suffix to words, to bring about a hint of uncertainty. For example,
Person 1 : What time is it?
Person 2 : I don't know. I think it should be around twelve-ish?
Update
As pointed out by Michael Kay, if the adjective points to an extreme, then '-ish' implies less extreme; 'small-ish' is less small than small; 'cold-ish' is less cold than cold; 'same-ish' is less similar than same. So '-ish' not only conveys approximation but can also assign less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
add a comment |
Adding an '-ish' at the end of a word is generally done in informal contexts, mostly to make the reference sound deliberately vague and approximate. (Source)
Here, the speaker has added the suffix because he isn't completely sure of the similarity with the posterior value.
You can add the suffix to words, to bring about a hint of uncertainty. For example,
Person 1 : What time is it?
Person 2 : I don't know. I think it should be around twelve-ish?
Update
As pointed out by Michael Kay, if the adjective points to an extreme, then '-ish' implies less extreme; 'small-ish' is less small than small; 'cold-ish' is less cold than cold; 'same-ish' is less similar than same. So '-ish' not only conveys approximation but can also assign less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
Adding an '-ish' at the end of a word is generally done in informal contexts, mostly to make the reference sound deliberately vague and approximate. (Source)
Here, the speaker has added the suffix because he isn't completely sure of the similarity with the posterior value.
You can add the suffix to words, to bring about a hint of uncertainty. For example,
Person 1 : What time is it?
Person 2 : I don't know. I think it should be around twelve-ish?
Update
As pointed out by Michael Kay, if the adjective points to an extreme, then '-ish' implies less extreme; 'small-ish' is less small than small; 'cold-ish' is less cold than cold; 'same-ish' is less similar than same. So '-ish' not only conveys approximation but can also assign less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
edited yesterday
answered 2 days ago
Varun NairVarun Nair
7,31351944
7,31351944
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
add a comment |
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
2
2
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
Note that if the adjective points to an extreme, then -ish implies less extreme; small-ish is less small than small; cold-ish is less cold than cold; same-ish is less similar than same. So it's not just approximate or vague; it's explicitly assigning less of the characteristic than if "-ish" were omitted.
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
add a comment |
Another answer already explains the meaning of -ish, but I'd like to address this question you also asked:
can I add -ish to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
My answer to that would be: perhaps – but don't overdo it.
The suffix works well for some adjectives, such as colors:
They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats, giving sloths a greenish tint that can be used as camouflage in the trees. (Indianapolis Star, 2018)
However, I would NOT recommend applying the suffix haphazardly to just about any adjective. There are many cases where an -ish suffix would sound, well, amateurish, where it would probably be better to avoid using it, especially in formal contexts.
For example, consider size adjectives. Adjectives that connote extremes (such as tiny, infinitesimal, massive, or vast) don't work very well with -ish, and the ngrams reflect that.
Also, if a friend asked if I was hungry, I suppose I could say, "I'm hungryish," but most natives would opt for a phrase like, "I'm kind of hungry," or "I'm a little hungry," instead, and the ngrams support that, too.
Other adjectives that sound odd with -ish would include: delicious, tired, or miserable, but faint and loud seem to work okay:
Two-thirds the way along the Arcturus-to-Vega line brings you to a pattern of four faintish stars resembling the shape of the stone block (The Telegraph, 2017)
On Monday night, a few dozen noodleists came out for cocktails, soup, loudish Ramones and the bar's retro, antique-radio vibe. (New York Times, 2014).
If your spellchecker puts a red squiggly line under a word with -ish, it might be better to use an adverb like rather instead. (For example: He was rather thirsty after the game might be a safer option than He was thirstyish after the game.)
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
add a comment |
Another answer already explains the meaning of -ish, but I'd like to address this question you also asked:
can I add -ish to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
My answer to that would be: perhaps – but don't overdo it.
The suffix works well for some adjectives, such as colors:
They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats, giving sloths a greenish tint that can be used as camouflage in the trees. (Indianapolis Star, 2018)
However, I would NOT recommend applying the suffix haphazardly to just about any adjective. There are many cases where an -ish suffix would sound, well, amateurish, where it would probably be better to avoid using it, especially in formal contexts.
For example, consider size adjectives. Adjectives that connote extremes (such as tiny, infinitesimal, massive, or vast) don't work very well with -ish, and the ngrams reflect that.
Also, if a friend asked if I was hungry, I suppose I could say, "I'm hungryish," but most natives would opt for a phrase like, "I'm kind of hungry," or "I'm a little hungry," instead, and the ngrams support that, too.
Other adjectives that sound odd with -ish would include: delicious, tired, or miserable, but faint and loud seem to work okay:
Two-thirds the way along the Arcturus-to-Vega line brings you to a pattern of four faintish stars resembling the shape of the stone block (The Telegraph, 2017)
On Monday night, a few dozen noodleists came out for cocktails, soup, loudish Ramones and the bar's retro, antique-radio vibe. (New York Times, 2014).
If your spellchecker puts a red squiggly line under a word with -ish, it might be better to use an adverb like rather instead. (For example: He was rather thirsty after the game might be a safer option than He was thirstyish after the game.)
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
add a comment |
Another answer already explains the meaning of -ish, but I'd like to address this question you also asked:
can I add -ish to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
My answer to that would be: perhaps – but don't overdo it.
The suffix works well for some adjectives, such as colors:
They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats, giving sloths a greenish tint that can be used as camouflage in the trees. (Indianapolis Star, 2018)
However, I would NOT recommend applying the suffix haphazardly to just about any adjective. There are many cases where an -ish suffix would sound, well, amateurish, where it would probably be better to avoid using it, especially in formal contexts.
For example, consider size adjectives. Adjectives that connote extremes (such as tiny, infinitesimal, massive, or vast) don't work very well with -ish, and the ngrams reflect that.
Also, if a friend asked if I was hungry, I suppose I could say, "I'm hungryish," but most natives would opt for a phrase like, "I'm kind of hungry," or "I'm a little hungry," instead, and the ngrams support that, too.
Other adjectives that sound odd with -ish would include: delicious, tired, or miserable, but faint and loud seem to work okay:
Two-thirds the way along the Arcturus-to-Vega line brings you to a pattern of four faintish stars resembling the shape of the stone block (The Telegraph, 2017)
On Monday night, a few dozen noodleists came out for cocktails, soup, loudish Ramones and the bar's retro, antique-radio vibe. (New York Times, 2014).
If your spellchecker puts a red squiggly line under a word with -ish, it might be better to use an adverb like rather instead. (For example: He was rather thirsty after the game might be a safer option than He was thirstyish after the game.)
Another answer already explains the meaning of -ish, but I'd like to address this question you also asked:
can I add -ish to any adjective to convey a same-ish meaning?
My answer to that would be: perhaps – but don't overdo it.
The suffix works well for some adjectives, such as colors:
They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats, giving sloths a greenish tint that can be used as camouflage in the trees. (Indianapolis Star, 2018)
However, I would NOT recommend applying the suffix haphazardly to just about any adjective. There are many cases where an -ish suffix would sound, well, amateurish, where it would probably be better to avoid using it, especially in formal contexts.
For example, consider size adjectives. Adjectives that connote extremes (such as tiny, infinitesimal, massive, or vast) don't work very well with -ish, and the ngrams reflect that.
Also, if a friend asked if I was hungry, I suppose I could say, "I'm hungryish," but most natives would opt for a phrase like, "I'm kind of hungry," or "I'm a little hungry," instead, and the ngrams support that, too.
Other adjectives that sound odd with -ish would include: delicious, tired, or miserable, but faint and loud seem to work okay:
Two-thirds the way along the Arcturus-to-Vega line brings you to a pattern of four faintish stars resembling the shape of the stone block (The Telegraph, 2017)
On Monday night, a few dozen noodleists came out for cocktails, soup, loudish Ramones and the bar's retro, antique-radio vibe. (New York Times, 2014).
If your spellchecker puts a red squiggly line under a word with -ish, it might be better to use an adverb like rather instead. (For example: He was rather thirsty after the game might be a safer option than He was thirstyish after the game.)
answered 2 days ago
J.R.♦J.R.
100k8129249
100k8129249
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
add a comment |
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
2
2
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
often when writing, people (at least in Britain), place a hyphen before the -ish suffix. There is a well known brand of ready made sauces in the UK, and they used to have TV ads featuring the same family. One seasonal ad played on the fact that people would have leftover turkey for some time after Christmas. The mother announced at supper time that they were having curry. The daughter speaks for them all when she says "It isn't turkey again, is it?" Mother says "Well, it's turk-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
1
1
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
Some devout UK Jews describe themselves thus and denounce their less fervent brethren as being "Jew-ish".
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
The reason "massive-ish" doesn't work very well is because "massive" means "very big" and "ish" means" not very", so "massive-ish" contradictory.
– Acccumulation
2 days ago
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
Isn't there an extra "that" in "They're so slow that sedentary that algae grows on their coats"? I see you are quoting the Indianapolis Star word by word, but I think it's a copy/paste error from the original National Geographic article
– Fabio Turati
yesterday
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3
ish = 'or thereabouts'
– mcalex
2 days ago
2
Whenever I hear someone say 'this-or-that-ish', I append in my mind the words: 'Well, sort of!'
– yunzen
2 days ago
"... they are all converging to similar posterior(u)r values". And "same-ish" would imply that they values were similar enough for whatever purpose they were being used.
– alephzero
2 days ago
1
I agree with your conclusion that it "reduces the extent of X-ness". In this sentence I would replace "the same-ish" by "almost the same" or "roughly the same"
– Michael Kay
2 days ago
1
To the extent of my Chinese knowledge, it means "差不多”
– The Photon
2 days ago