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From: Miss Elaine Eos <Misc@*your-shoes*PlayNaked.com>
Newsgroups: alt.languages.english
Subject: What's with the double negative "not in...", "not un..."?
Organization: Very little. Maybe some on weekends.
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Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 14:12:57 GMT
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I think I first heard this form from Charles Schultz in a Peanuts
cartoon (I believe Linus spoke it, but this is close to 40 yrs ago, so I
may be mis-rembering), and it always sounded British to me, but I don't
actually know if it's considered proper or not, and what the origin
actually is.
I refer here to the use of "not" before a word that is modified to be
its own negative as with the prefix "in" or "un". For example, "it is
not inconceivable that...", in a place where "it is conceivable that..."
would work just as well.
The cynic in me sort-of half wonders if this practice began with someone
who was either paid by the column-inch or a student admonished to fill 2
whole pages. :)
Maybe the reason is sounds British to me is that it seems to fit with
the stereotype of understatement that is theirs.
At any rate, does anyone know where this form originated, and whether or
not it is considered proper?
Thanks!
--
Please take off your shoes before arriving at my in-box.
I will not, no matter how "good" the deal, patronise any business which sends
unsolicited commercial e-mail or that advertises in discussion newsgroups.
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