[Lexicog] Pejorative suffixes

[John Roberts]

According to Urdang (1982) English has -ish1 and -ish2. -ish1 is a highly
productive and still active adjective-forming word-final element. It has at
least 5 senses, none of which are pejorative.

-ling is probably etymologically a double suffix: the diminutive -el
and/or -il2 plus -ing3. All formatives have a diminutive notion and some are
pejorative. Only the third sense of belonging to a group or activity are
definitely pejorative, e.g. hireling, roqueling, underling. I don't think
this "suffix" is very productive in Modern English.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology also gives a -ling2 which
formed adverbs of direction in ME. But more numerous formations denote
condition or situation, such as darkling, flatling. It is also not
pejorative.

-ard has two senses: 1. 'hard, strong, powerful' 2. 'a person who
excessively performs, displays or is associated with actions or qualities'
specified by the conjoining root, e.g. dullard, drunkard, sluggard. But it
is not specifically pejorative and neither is it productive in Modern
English.

So I think you are a bit off the mark here, Fritz, in your search for
pejorative suffixes in English.

John Roberts



------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Has someone you know been affected by illness or disease?
Network for Good is THE place to support health awareness efforts!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/RzSHvD/UOnJAA/79vVAA/HKE4lB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->


Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexicographylist/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    lexicographylist-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/