Thought re: "right" as an intensifier...

Posted by Word Camel on September 25, 2002

I woke up in the middle of the night last night (I blame you for this, Shae.) wondering if "right" used as an intensifier has anything to do with "down right". For example: "He's a down right degenerate when it comes to the frequency of his correspondence."

Could it be that "right", as in "He's a right wally", could be a shortened form?

"Down right" is also a very strange use of the word "down". Any thoughts on this anyone?

Camella Soprano