Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

Chicken prices have remained static since January.
The housing market has been stationary for some time.

Are static and stationary interchangeable here? As a noun, static is criticism. Could you tell me how bad is the criticism? Severely?

[cgage]

According to the dictionary the two are synonyms. However, there are uses more often emplyed than others. Weather systems and prices can be stationary, whereas prices are static.

[cgage]

Typo in the last message. Should be : "weather systems and markets are stationary"

In addition, it looks like we are using "stationary" for concrete objects, and "static" for more abstract concepts. So, the usage depends on the subject of the sentence, although the meaning is the same.

[BMO]

That makes sense; using non-abstract and abstract distinction may just work. Another point, one dictionary says static is a severe criticism but another one says it is just criticism.

Thanks again.

[bud]

Static is usually not severe, nor is it limited to criticism. It could be aggravation, uncooperativeness, sassiness, etc. - just about anything (from another person) that would cause annoyance, disappointment, anger, etc.

Ex.:
Why do you kids give me so much static whenever I tell you to do your homework?
I can't go to the game on Saturday. My wife is giving me a lot of static because it's our anniversary.

Below are four definitions from online sources:

- "3. opposition or interference: criticism, opposition, or unwanted interference by somebody else ( informal )
getting a lot of static from the boss"

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861714686


- "2. Informal a. Back talk"

http://www.bartleby.com/61/78/S0717800.html


- "2. Informal.difficulty; trouble: Will your dad give you any static on using the car?"

http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/static


- "Informal.
Back talk.
Interference; obstruction.
Angry or heated criticism."

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

[BMO]

Thanks Bud, it is very clear now.

[bud]

You're very welcome.