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"Appropriately" or "aptly"?

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Paul Epstein

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Apr 20, 2021, 3:10:31 PM4/20/21
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In David Cassidy's intro to the pop song "Afternoon Delight" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4b3w6a9cSk&ab_channel=Mrwcginwash,
he says: "Aided by the group's smooth vocal stylings and a boost of American patriotism, their song
'Afternoon Delight' rocketed or more appropriately skyrocketed to
number one the week following America's 200th birthday."

But shouldn't "appropriately" be replaced by "aptly"? He clearly means that "skyrocketed"
fits more elegantly with the song's words since the verb "skyrocket" features
prominently in the song. But this is an example of aptness not appropriateness isn't it?
I think of "appropriateness" as fitting in with customs or protocol etc.
And surely "rocketed" and "skyrocketed" are both totally appropriate. The use of "more appropriately" usually means that the thing just described breached some
protocol or etiquette. Any thoughts?

Paul Epstein

semir...@my-deja.com

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Apr 20, 2021, 4:46:43 PM4/20/21
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If "skyrocketed" is a better description of what happened than "rocketed", then the word should be "accurately".

Paul Epstein

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Apr 20, 2021, 5:14:16 PM4/20/21
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Yes, I totally agree with you. "Appropriately" seemed very wrong, and I was trying for a better word choice, but
looked for a close synonym. Yes, "accurately" would have worked much better. But how about "fittingly" since the point is that the verb "skyrocket" features in the song? My current favourite is "fittingly".

Paul

Chrysi Cat

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Apr 20, 2021, 5:31:02 PM4/20/21
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It's too bad that no one can contact Cassidy to have him re-record his
intro.

Well, at least not without a medium involved.


--
Chrysi Cat
1/2 anthrocat, nearly 1/2 anthrofox, all magical
Transgoddess, quick to anger. [she/her. Misgender and die].
Call me Chrysi or call me Kat, I'll respond to either!

Jerry Friedman

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Apr 20, 2021, 6:01:51 PM4/20/21
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He (or his writer) meant that the noun "skyrockets" occurs in the song he was talking about.

--
Jerry Friedman

Jerry Friedman

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Apr 20, 2021, 8:18:22 PM4/20/21
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The OED just gives the definition, "5. Specially fitted or suitable,
proper." There's nothing about protocol, custom, etiquette, or the like.

The only other non-obsolete definitions are

"1. Annexed or attached (to), as a possession or piece of property;
appropriated. /spec./ in /Ecclesiastical/ Annexed as a benefice to a
religious corporation."

and

"4. Attached or belonging as an attribute, quality or right; peculiar
to, own."

--
Jerry Friedman

Paul Epstein

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Apr 21, 2021, 2:18:16 AM4/21/21
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On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 1:18:22 AM UTC+1, Jerry Friedman wrote:
> On 4/20/21 1:10 PM, Paul Epstein wrote:
> > In David Cassidy's intro to the pop song "Afternoon Delight" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4b3w6a9cSk&ab_channel=Mrwcginwash,
> > he says: "Aided by the group's smooth vocal stylings and a boost of American patriotism, their song
> > 'Afternoon Delight' rocketed or more appropriately skyrocketed to
> > number one the week following America's 200th birthday."
> >
> > But shouldn't "appropriately" be replaced by "aptly"? He clearly means that "skyrocketed"
> > fits more elegantly with the song's words since the verb "skyrocket" features
> > prominently in the song. But this is an example of aptness not appropriateness isn't it?
> > I think of "appropriateness" as fitting in with customs or protocol etc.
> > And surely "rocketed" and "skyrocketed" are both totally appropriate. The use of "more appropriately" usually means that the thing just described breached some
> > protocol or etiquette. Any thoughts?
> The OED just gives the definition, "5. Specially fitted or suitable,
> proper." There's nothing about protocol, custom, etiquette, or the like.
>
....
That's surprising (to me) because "inappropriate" definitely has connotations (to me) of some type of
breach of protocol rather than just "not suitable."
For example, someone who wears a suit in an office where everyone else wears casual clothing would
not normally be said to be "dressed inappropriately."

Paul Epstein

Lewis

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Apr 21, 2021, 2:54:25 AM4/21/21
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Someone who wears a suit to a construction job is definitely dressed
inappropriately.

--
"Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and
ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.
Anything that's invented between when you're fifteen and thirty-
five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably
get a career in it. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is
against the natural order of things." -- Douglas Adams

Peter T. Daniels

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Apr 21, 2021, 8:39:14 AM4/21/21
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On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:18:16 AM UTC-4, Paul Epstein wrote:

> That's surprising (to me) because "inappropriate" definitely has connotations (to me) of some type of
> breach of protocol rather than just "not suitable."
> For example, someone who wears a suit in an office where everyone else wears casual clothing would
> not normally be said to be "dressed inappropriately."

Why not? It's violating the norm for "casual Friday."
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