I’ve for some time been intrigued by the number of English words that have a negative meaning but no positive equivalent. I’ve even kept a little list, as Ko-Ko says in The Mikado. Now, on reading Billy Bryson’s The Mother Tongue, I’ve added to my list considerably so thought I’d stick it into a blog to save it forevermore. Or however long cyberspace or my word press subscription holds out. Thus–

Reckless (Ever done something “reck?”)

Feckless (Who ever acts “Feckly”?)

Inept (I have read of a person having some ept, but not on a daily basis.)

Inebriated (Why do we say “sober” instead of “ebriated”?)

THAT’S THE IDEA. HERE ARE A FEW MORE.

insipid

inevitable

ineluctable

exfoliation

ineffable

inscrutable

invincible

disheveled

incorrigible

ruthless

unkempt

And from our faithful readers, we add these–

uncouth–From Nephew Geoff

And from colleague/buddy/cousin Dan–Our job as writers:

To eff the ineffable.

AND A NEW ONE–10/14/13

Disheveled–sheveled