unexceptionable
Posted by Patricia on March 24, 1998 at 01:16:04:
Does anyone know anything about the metamorphosis of the word "unexceptionable"? Every time I come across it in JA I feel the the word should be "exceptional". For example: Lady Bertram tells Fanny "that it is every young woman's duty to accept such a very unexceptionable offer as this.[Henry Crawford's offer of marriage]" In modern American English we would call his offer "exceptional" meaning terrific, if we called it "unexceptional" we would imply that it was common place and therefore not terrific. Thanks for any insights.
- Exceptions. JW 06:51:35 3/24/98
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- unexeptionable/unexeptional Linden 03:19:48 3/24/98
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