Difference between revisions of "Visceral (usage)"
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| − | The [[adjective]] '''visceral''', which means [[literal]]ly 'to do with the internal organs of the body' (see also [[Viscera (pronunciation)]]), is used colloquially to mean 'powerfully emotional', 'deeply moving'. It is usually employed about works of | + | The [[adjective]] '''visceral''', which means [[literal]]ly 'to do with the internal organs of the body' (see also [[Viscera (pronunciation)]]), is used colloquially to mean 'powerfully emotional', 'deeply moving'. It is usually employed about works of art - films, plays, and other works of literature. AWE advises writers of formal English in British universities - particularly those studying literature and other art forms - not to use 'visceral' in this sense. It is seen by many teachers in these areas as too colloquial, and thus too imprecise. It is also in danger of becoming a [[cliché]]. Some no doubt feel it to be dangerously modern, despite ''[[OED]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s note that the word in this sense was "''Obs[olete]'' after 17th c[entury] and revived in the 20th". |
::You may also want to see [[Viscera (pronunciation)]]. | ::You may also want to see [[Viscera (pronunciation)]]. | ||
| − | [[Category:changing meanings | + | [[Category:changing meanings]] |
[[Category:academic English]] | [[Category:academic English]] | ||
[[Category:Colloquialisms]] | [[Category:Colloquialisms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:48, 22 September 2015
The adjective visceral, which means literally 'to do with the internal organs of the body' (see also Viscera (pronunciation)), is used colloquially to mean 'powerfully emotional', 'deeply moving'. It is usually employed about works of art - films, plays, and other works of literature. AWE advises writers of formal English in British universities - particularly those studying literature and other art forms - not to use 'visceral' in this sense. It is seen by many teachers in these areas as too colloquial, and thus too imprecise. It is also in danger of becoming a cliché. Some no doubt feel it to be dangerously modern, despite OED's note that the word in this sense was "Obs[olete] after 17th c[entury] and revived in the 20th".
- You may also want to see Viscera (pronunciation).
