antidisestablishmentarianism???

Question

How can I explain the meaning of this word to a seven year old Spanish girl?

Thanks!

To be honest, I think 7 yearolds could have more fun! So could I.. - annierats, Nov 2, 2011

Answer 1

I don't think you can have anti- and dis- together.

Sure you can.

You can even double the same prefix, if it means what you intend. For example, who hasn't heard of counter-spy, and counter-counter-spy...

And then there's the anti-missile and the anti-missile missile, as well as the anti-anti-missile

And while we're at it, it's not unlike the British to prefer double negatives... ("not unlike"... get it?)

Ok, but it does sound very strange antidis. Anyway antidisestablishmentarianism is rather clumsy. - annierats, Nov 2, 2011

What about "counter- intelligence " but I suppose that is an oxymoron . - ray76, Nov 2, 2011

Ray, you're in very good form today. - annierats, Nov 2, 2011

Answer 2

Well young lady you could start by explaining it to a 78 year old ,

I would welcome the chance to be enlightened . Go for it !

I just looked it up online, it's "the opposition to the withdrawal of state support" apparently. I only want to tell her because she likes to learn words that are difficult to say! - hannah93, Nov 2, 2011

Ah Ray, I was just making up the same point, you beat me too it. - annierats, Nov 2, 2011

Thank you guys , now i am not sure if I am enlightened or just stoned. - ray76, Nov 2, 2011

We' re pro antiagediscrimination. Or not? I have some sloe gin, it might help. - annierats, Nov 2, 2011

Answer 3

You may have trouble in explaining it to anyone at all.

I don't think you can have anti- and dis- together. In order to explain it, to the 7 yearold, practise on me and break it down to what it actually means.

As Pesta says, you can have anti and dis together. I have just thought of antidiscolouration. It is intended to stop clothes running in the wash, I think.

Answer 4

Boy that's a term from the past. Antidisestablishmentarianism. It was all the rage with the college kids in the 1960 in the US. Martin Luther King and the Kennedy brothers were still alive. The political situation was very uneasy but calm. We were all sing "folk songs" Then the asasinations, and riots came. Not so found memories.

Yes I remember when one of my sons was in college then and he would answer every question I put to him with " Define democracy , or whatever " but it was a much simpler and perhaps kinder world. - ray76, Nov 2, 2011