Sick! Or you are SICK!
If it was ten years back then you would have felt bad if someone told this to you!
Now if the same words are uttered by your Gen Z or Gen Alpha kids or relatives then it means that you are amazing or cool! If you did not know that then you are a big fool! Or actually SICK!
The same word can cause different impression! It is also the same with the word, WORD! Or as the Gen Z and Alpha call it; W!
If you get a comment like this then do not try to ask more! It means that what you said or wrote it well; acceptable!
Then again there is knowledge here also!
These words are called Contronyms!
Contronyms, also known as auto-antonyms or Janus words, are words with two opposite or contradictory meanings depending on context. These unique terms often arise from converging etymologies or evolving usage, where a single word splits into opposing definitions, such as cleave (to cling) and cleave (to split)!
You may know some common Contronyms like
Bolt: To secure (fasten a door) or to flee (run away).
Dust: To remove fine particles or to apply them (e.g., dusting a cake with sugar).
Sanction: To approve or to punish!
Overlook: To supervise or to ignore.
Left: Remained or departed
Finally Wind up: To start or to finish.
The chief issue here is that the final meaning is not dependent only on the word but in the context! It was depends on the surrounding words.
Many times it depends on who is speaking them! Whether it is someone born in the B & W era or the REEL era!
Historically there are many reasons why this happens like
Etymological Convergence: Two distinct words with different meanings eventually become homographs (e.g., cleave) or
Polysemy: A single word naturally branches into opposite meanings over centuries (e.g., fast).
And finally you have the Slang or Irony: Words like “sick” or “bad” gain positive meanings through cultural use!
Like Joker says in Dark Knight; “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”
That of course is a reflection on crumbling morality; as far as contranyms are concerned; even bad words can stay for long and then become good courtesy the Gen Z!
Good or bad will change but God stays the same! For me it’s Bhagwan Shiv!
Wishing a very happy Maha Shiv Ratri!
Om namah shivay….
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