Re: ''The magic word''

Posted by Melanie W. on May 07, 2005 at 00:50:56:

In Reply to: ''The magic word'' posted by HSG on May 06, 2005 at 03:56:09:

I now have a case of language envy. How awesome is it that at least SOME languages have such amazingly size-positive terms - but how sad that ours does not. The article actually mentions TWO words that turn media ideas about body image upside down. The first is the word that means - "to become well" = "to gain weight" If we had a word like that in our vocabulary, I bet a lot of media hype about weight and epidemics would be impossible. And of course the other word has immediately become my favourite in any language, the verb that means - "to become more attractive" = "to put on weight" I was thinking about an English equivalent, and we just dont have one. "To curvify" is a real verb, but it may or may not carry the idea of beauty with it. I was thinking about creating a verb like "Torridize", but it sounds too much like a weather condition. And I think most people would associate it with spicing up a plussize wardrobe ("Dont accessorize - Torridize"), and not the act of becoming curvy/beautiful in itself. "Goddessify"? It would convey the whole idea, but it sounds awful on the tongue. It would never catch on. If we had such a positive vocabulary to work with, it would make deprogramming people from anti-plus propaganda a lot easier.....