Horrible/horrid

[bbennett at joymail.com]

> Sam of Australia wrote:

Every so often my sister and I have this argument, as she is (for 
some strange reason) in support of this horrible word. My reply is 
always: 'I think the word horrid is terrid'. After all, if horrid is 
a legitimate word derived from horrible, then shouldn't terrid be a 
legitimate word derived from terrible? That's logical, isn't it? I 
hate that word horrid! >

Excuse me, Sam, but did I just read this correctly – you used the 
word "logical" in reference to the English language? ;)

I like and use the word 'horrid' - I also 
use 'wretched', 'dreadful', 'hideous', etc, etc. I don't use these
words because I had a pretentious upbringing or because I hope
I'll sound more sophisticated than I really am (which is not
very) – I use them because they're great (delightful!
fabulous! extraordinary!) words that get across what I 
mean. `Horrible' is a word that I use all the time, but 
sometimes `horrid' is perfect if you need to emphasize just 
how `horrible' the situation really is. For example, my
roommate's new puppy got into my room over the weekend and
destroyed a shopping bag full of new Victoria's Secret purchases;
he is a *horrid* little animal. 

If you just can't stand the sight of the word, think of it this
way – it helps protect `horrible' from being overused. :*)

B