infamous = 'talked-about; popular'

[Jonathan Lighter]

We're talking the lamestream info-edutainment viewpoint.  No feature
reporter would ever express a negative judgment of anything legal and
intrinsically harmless done for fun by a pair of top celebs.

The journo's tone of voice was entirely enthusiastic as Tiger went on to
explain the thrill of golfing with the Prez.

Possibly I am in error, but as I switched on the TV I thought I heard
someone describe the President quite neutrally as "the ringleader of the
free world."

Not a reliable attestation. Just a warning.

JL

On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 9:11 AM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at att.net> wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> Subject:      Re: infamous = 'talked-about; popular'
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> At 2/20/2013 06:58 AM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> >CNN mentions "The President's infamous round of golf with Tiger Woods."
> >
> >The only meaning I can extract is "well reported,esp. if diverting."
>
> Depends on your opinion of Tiger Woods.  I would extract "disgraceful
> social occasion with a dishonored multiple adulterer."  Woods is
> infamous; the President becomes so also.
>
> Joel
>
>
> >JL
> >
> >On Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 3:23 PM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at att.net> wrote:
> >
> > > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> > > -----------------------
> > > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > > Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> > > Subject:      Re: infamous = 'talked-about; popular'
> > >
> > >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > At 11/29/2010 03:05 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> > > >A sense weaker than even 'famous' or 'celebrated' - at least as those
> > > words
> > > >are traditionally used:
> > >
> > > But does this example have the more complex notion of "famous or
> > > celebrated, but still disreputable"?  (I am reminded of the 18th
> > > century American con man Tom Bell, who was called "the famous or
> > > rather infamous Tom Bell" in a 1743 Boston newspaper.)
> > >
> > > Joel
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/29/dr-drew-pinsky-to-host-new-hln-show/?hpt=T2
> > > >  :
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >"The good doctor is certainly no stranger to television. In addition
> to
> > > the
> > > >new show on HLN, his latest edition of  'Celebrity Rehab with Dr.
> Drew'
> > > will
> > > >premiere on December 1 on VH1. This infamous reality show brings
> together
> > > >cast of celebrities seeking treatment for a variety of addictions.
> The new
> > > >season will feature Rachel Uchitel, well known for her connection
> with the
> > > >Tiger Woods scandal, as well as reality TV judge and original
> supermodel
> > > >Janice Dickinson".
> > > >
> > > >JL
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >--
> > > >"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the
> > > truth."
> > > >
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> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the
> truth."
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------
> >The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>



--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org