Oleomargarine is what margarine was originally called, sometimes shortened to 'oleo'. This makes it one of a select few: words which can be broken into two words, so that each of the two and the original word are synonymous. That is: oleomargarine = oleo = margarine. Can you find another two English words that share this property?

(In reply to re: Huh?? (re: Two more) by SilverKnight)

>>Anyway, Sam, I think, in context, all of these are synonyms:


The problem, though, is that it takes a context to make the connection. One or both of the parts has another different, more common meaning, or their usual connotation is slightly different. When you hear the word "pot" for example, unless you already know that you are referring to a belly, or the context makes it clear.

And even so, you had trouble equating up=standing=upstanding and down=fallen=downfallen.

The thing is not that they are wrong, but that another word is so obviously right that these are shown to be inferior substitutes.

Posted by TomM on 2004-02-11 14:20:53