I noticed them before I knew what they were called – “unpaired words”: words without opposites. In most cases, these words do have opposites; it’s just that those opposites aren’t considered “real” words.
Since language is used, mangled, and made up on a regular basis, I’m taking the stance that since these words do have opposites, I’m going to use them whether other people think they are words or not.
I’ve been disgruntled – fed up, angry, and resentful. When I get over it, I’m gruntled.
I can be profoundly inert – lethargic and inactive. When I get all rested and become active, I’m ert.
When I wake up in the morning, I look pretty unkempt. After I take a shower, fix my hair, and put on clean clothes, I’d say I was kempt.
I know people who are feckless – good for nothing, irresponsible. If they change their ways, develop initiative, and become responsible, then I would describe them as feckful.
If a person is rude, crude, and socially unacceptable – uncouth – then a person who is polite and behaves in a socially acceptable way is couth.
Take a stand.
Join me in preventing the neglect of these perfectly good words!
