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Disgruntled or just gruntled?
2005-12-13 20:57
by Bob Timmermann

Milton Bradley has been described as disgruntled. Javy Lopez has the disgruntled tag now because of the Ramon Hernandez signing. Alfonso Soriano appears to be on the path to disgruntlement.

But is anyone ever "gruntled"?

The OED puts the first use of "disgruntle" in 1682. And it comes from the word "gruntle", which means "to utter a little or low grunt" and that word dates back to around 1400. And the "dis-" prefix is used as an intensifier. So someone "disgruntled" is grumbling and muttering under their breath even more than someone who just "gruntles".

Wodehouse started using the word "gruntled" in one of his books, but I'm against its use. You're risking a back formation's life!

Comments
2005-12-13 22:13:18
1.   Robert Daeley
Bah, if it's good enough for Wodehouse, it's good enough for the likes of us! ;)
2005-12-13 22:14:24
2.   Jon Weisman
I've previously given this question some thought, and let me just say that I'm whelmed.
2005-12-13 22:24:13
3.   Bob Timmermann
You mean you are in an overturned boat?
2005-12-13 22:29:17
4.   Ken Arneson
Jon was just trying to act chalant.
2005-12-14 00:08:29
5.   Ken Arneson
I must say, I am somewhat mayed and traught. I'm not usually so flappable, but I had pectations that my last joke about these nomers would be evitably requited. Instead, they were left crepit like some corrigable creant. I feel like a persona grata. It's quite concerting. Now I'm all combobulated.
2005-12-14 04:39:45
6.   Derek Smart
Ken, that was celent.
2005-12-14 06:54:11
7.   Sam DC
This is a very turbing thread.

By the way, if a bigfoot met another bigfoot, would there be two bigfeet?

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