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leslie · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 244

Hi,

There's a word that is on the tip of my tongue but I cannot put a finger on it. It's a word begging with 'j' to mean someone who is so good at dealing with interrelationships, who never really has enemies or true friends. Could you please tell me what that word beginning with 'j' is? If no, are there any other expressions to describe that kind of person I just said. Phrases, adjectives, or verbs are all ok. Thank you very much.

Leslie
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Philo Kevetch · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 564

'jovial' may be the word you are looking for.

Some others...'easy going', 'happy- go-lucky'

but, given your description, may Isuggest...'amiable', 'amicable', 'likeable'

leslie · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 244

Thanks, Mr. Kevetch. I'm sorry that I wasn't being clear about the word I was looking for. I was looking expressions that are disapproving. The person I've described is kind of a social climber who knows how to please everybody without sincerity. That's why I said this kind of person may not have enemies but don't have real friends either. Any ideas to describe this kind of person or this kind of behavior?

A. Is well-rounded person approving or disapproving?
B. Is juggling act relevant here?
C. If it is not a word beginning with 'j', are there any others to describe the person/the behavior?

Thanks again.
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CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

Well, diplomatic means able to deal with people that way, more or less. I can't think of a fitting word that begins with "j," except maybe judicious.
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Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

But I think "diplomatic" and "judicious" have positive connotations, and I think the request was for something with a negative connotation.

Philo Kevetch · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 564

"well rounded" has a positive connotation....it means to have experience/ability/etc. in many different areas.

Sorry - nothing comes to mind for the mystery 'j' word at the moment.....

but, like a dog with a bone, I'll keep gwawing on it and get back to you if I think of something. Philo

leslie · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 244

Thanks for all the replies.

If I write the sentence : He's so good at juggling many involvements. Will it make the person seem negative?

Are 'smooth operator', and 'city slicker' similar to what I described earlier? If so, could you please make sentences out of these words for me to better understand the usage?

Please drop the idea of word beginning with 'j'. It must be related to my memory of 'juggling act'. My apologies. Any other ideas (phrases, idioms,etc.) are all welcome.

Thanks with all my heart.
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Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

Toady.
Smarmy hanger-on.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

Philo Kevetch · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 564

Hello Leslie -

Someone who is able to 'juggle' many job related functions would be positive in most cases.

People use the term 'multi-tasking' to describe that sort of situation.

Someone who is able to 'juggle' different peoples needs in relationships would also be viewed as positive in most situations (as within a family, for example).

Someone able to 'juggle' work and family responsibilities would be positive
in most cases.

'smooth operator' is used to describe someone adept at getting their way (what they want ) in relationships (esp. romantic)....

the opposite of : awkard, shy, tongue-tied, etc.

A 'smooth operator' might also be able to do a 'juggling act' and manage to carry on more than one (several/many) romantic relationships at the same time (maybe not as positive in most cases).

'city slicker' is used to describe someone from an urban environment ... unaccustomed to rural ways of living (and people).

So... A 'city slicker' out on a farm or ranch might well be viewed as a 'smooth operator' trying to 'smooth talk' the "farmers' daughter" and find himself (like the "traveling salesman") the groom at a "shotgun wedding".

If I may ask, what are you working on? Let us know if you need more sample sentences to help you understand the usage.

Again, your English is impressive! Philo :)

leslie · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 244

Thank you all for your kind help.

Hi Philo,
Thanks once again for your comment. I feel flattered. Embarassed

Thanks for your detailed explanations. I really appreciate it. In fact, I wasn't working on anything. It's just that one day a Chinese idiom came to me and I was thinking its English equivalents. Perhaps I didn't put the expressions right, so that caused a lot of different explanations. The original phrase in Chinese is 八面玲瓏 (ba1 mien4 ling2 long2).

Thanks.
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2006 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 610

My Chinese- English dictionary defines ba mian ling long as "be smooth and slick (in establishing social relations).

leslie · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 244

Thanks, 2006. I got the similar translations when I firt thought of ba main ling long. Thank you.

Leslie
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