this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Maybe it would help if you knew there were more? Or maybe that would make it feel worse, but there are more. It's a pretty common pattern in language for some reason, called "contronyms." So literally can mean actually or figuratively, but others include clip (cut off or attach), oversight (to overlook, or to scrutinize closely), sanction (approve something or penalize it), or even fast (moving quickly or still, as in held fast). Context is key, people will adapt as meanings are ever shifting.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

or, my favorite, in German "umfahren"

can either mean "drive around"

or "run over"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

The sands of time really umfahrened umfahren

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

In writing, yes. But when spoken the emphasis is different. If the "fahren" is stressed, then you are driving around something (umFAHren). If the "um" is stressed (UMfahren), then you are talking about property damage or murder.