Problemsome

[Michael Quinion]

A. Murie wrote:

> Sen. Arlen Specter was heard in a clip on the news this morning
> saying the Homeland Security bill was so "problemsome" it made
> sausage look good by comparison, or words to that effect. This is
> the first time I've heard "problemsome" but I rather like it.
> "Problematic" has been so overused it has become tiresome

If it was Sen. Specter it would not be surprising. Of the 17
examples I've turned up from newspapers going back to 1995, he is
the direct quoted source of 11. It would be interesting to know
whether he can be claimed to have coined it, or whether it is a
well-known regionalism in the US.

--
Michael Quinion
Editor, World Wide Words
E-mail: <TheEditor at worldwidewords.org>
Web: <http://www.worldwidewords.org/>