Job Discussion Forums

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

What is a word that means "terrible" but not in a "badly done" way.

What would you say to describe the feeling you get when you see picasso's Guernica(sp?), or if you heard a tape of Hitler's voice? Something like "mind blowing" but a little more subtle and more literary.

khmerhit · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:15 am Post subject:

horrendous--from L, horrere--makes yr hair stand on end
abhorrent-- feel extreme disgust for

my two wordsworth

kh Shocked

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

Chilling,

johnslat · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:42 am Post subject:

Appalling, shocking, dreadful

Regards,
John

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

awesome (in the true sense of the word and not the Americanism)
terrific (again in the true sense of the word)
extraordinary

mjed

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Dr. J,

Are you doing crossword puzzles again?

The New York Times Sunday crossword is a doozie, so I'm told.

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:13 am Post subject:

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

LA from dictionary.com

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=awesome

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:23 am Post subject:

Thanks, I think.....Mindly interesting....

LA <ZZZzzzZZZzzzzZZZzz>

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"awe" is what you feel in the presence of the LORD.

So "awesome" in its original meaning as in the King James Bible is the way you feel when confronted with something capable of inducing fear, respect and all the rest.

My prescription is regular reading of the Good Book in the translation authorised by King James the Sixth and First.

A prize for those who can solve the puzzle :
"sixth and first of what and where ?"

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

Thanks for the prompt replies, I like 'awesome', but I'm afraid I was a little vague in my initial explanation.

The word I am searching for would be a translation of the Japanese word "sugomi" which may or may not be in the Times crossword. (It's not.)

It was used to refer to Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and his paintings in general, not as if they actually inspired fear, but rather that they gave you the sense that there was great energy and vision behind their creation.

All the words I can think of have a specific 'negative' or 'positive' connotation. It may be that there is no one word, which I find interesting as English is supposed to have 'more words' than most other languages.

Aramas · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

How about 'transcendent', 'inspired', 'sublime' or 'evocative'?

Or even 'amazing' - ie you mind becomes trapped in a maze.

Hang on a minute - you're comparing Hitler with VG's 'Sunflowers'? Perhaps 'peculiar' is the word you're looking for Smile

And when the Clown Prince coined the phrase "shock and awe", I doubt that he was referring to surprising the Iraqis with something 'totally excellent".

Mark-O · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:02 am Post subject:

I think Aramas has nailed it with 'evocative'. That was going to be my choice.

Mouse · Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 208

Talking about Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"? How about "awful"? As in, uh, full of awe. Uh, forget it. (Seriously though, does anyone actually like that painting?)

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China