Good Monday morning, everybody!
I know; most people think that “Good” and “Monday” don’t belong in the same sentence, making it an…wait for it…oxymoron!
How’s that for a segue? 
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines oxymoron as “a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements.” The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective-noun combination of two words.
Some examples are:
Army intelligence
Jumbo shrimp
Act naturally
Clearly confused
Alone together
Short wait
Pretty ugly
Interestingly enough, people often confuse “redundant” with “oxymoron,” when in fact they are the exact opposite of each other. “Redundant” means characterized by or containing an excess; specifically; using more words than necessary. But as I mentioned above, “oxymoron” means two words that have completely opposite meanings.
Examples of redundancy:
Added bonus
Advanced notice
Close proximity
End result
False pretense
I love the word “oxymoron” probably because it has the word “moron” in it, although nothing about the word “oxymoron” has anything to do with moronic behavior, or being stupid. It’s just a great word and fascinates me.
Short post today, little definition lesson. I have a very busy week ahead as I search for a replacement for the HR Assistant that quit last week. I’m actually planning on bumping up that position and making it an HR Coordinator position, which will be someone that has a higher level of HR experience and will be able to take over for me in my absence. I’ll be able to pass along some of my more complex HR projects. That will help me a lot. Meanwhile, I am really overloaded with work as I search for this position. Wish me luck!
Hope everyone has a great week!
Ta ta for now!
January 28, 2013 at 9:26 am
What a wonderfully entertaining post, now if the whole world would read it things may change. lol
January 28, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Thanks, Chris! I have an unnatural fascination with words! Apparently the word for people who love words is logophile. Logophiles also love the correct usage of various words in communication. I call this being the Grammar Police! Hehe There is also the term “wordsmith” which is what I call myself sometimes, which is someone who is an expert in the use of words. When someone is obsession with words this condition or state is refered to as verbomania. But I’m not quite sure where the fine line is drawn between calling someone a “verbomaniac” instead of a “wordsmith”. Perhaps it “takes one to know one.”
Thanks for the comment!
January 28, 2013 at 5:23 pm
You are really good with words, I’m impressed and I’ve learned something tonight. Keep up the good work, and btw there is nothing wrong with good grammar, nuttin at all.