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The English Language

Elster88 May 25 2006 02:48 PM

Is it "left-handed compliment" or "back-handed compliment"? Or both? Left-handed is the one I know...or thought I knew.

metirish May 25 2006 02:51 PM

I go with "back-handed compliment",not sure if I ever heard anyone use "left handed compliment"..

MFS62 May 25 2006 02:58 PM

I've heard left- handed, not back-handed. Later

Centerfield May 25 2006 03:04 PM

I thought it was back-handed compliment.

RealityChuck May 25 2006 04:01 PM

I've heard both. Google says "backhanded compliment" is more common by a score of 110,000 to 32,000. Add another 50,00 for "back-handed compliment" vs. about 50 for "lefthanded compliment." Thus, "backhanded compliment" is more common, but "left-handed complement" is a newer term and is thus at a disadvantage.[/url]

Elster88 May 25 2006 04:14 PM

I think "left-handed compliment" is older. May be why it's not used as much.

Johnny Dickshot May 25 2006 04:18 PM

Where a backhanded compliment is inappropriate I recommend a forehand smash.

ScarletKnight41 May 25 2006 04:26 PM

[url=http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=lefthanded+compliment&word2=backhanded+compliment]Lefthanded Compliment beats Backhanded Compliment in the Google Fight[/url]

Frayed Knot May 25 2006 04:36 PM

You should always make fun of lefthanders whenever possible.

Vic Sage May 25 2006 05:04 PM

HEY, WATCH IT NOW, buddy! yours truly, Vic "southpaw" Sage.

metsmarathon May 25 2006 06:58 PM

yeah, but "lefthanded compliment gets its world rocked by "backhanded compliment" without the quotes, you're really just facing "lefthanded" against "backhanded" http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=%22lefthanded+compliment%22&word2=%22backhanded+compliment%22

Elster88 Jun 06 2006 10:38 AM

What is the past tense of shred? As in "I _____________ the documents yesterday?".

MFS62 Jun 06 2006 10:41 AM

Elster88 wrote: What is the past tense of shred? As in "I _____________ the documents yesterday?". The common business usage is "shredded". But if shred is past tense, what is the present tense word? Later