Over elaborate

Posted by Smokey Stover on September 23, 2004

In Reply to: Over elaborate posted by Lotg on September 23, 2004

: : In a recent email to my ex-husband I jokingly accused him of 'over elaboration'. It wasn't until after I hit the SEND button that I thought that sounded like a very unpleasant word combo.

: : MW says thus:

: : Main Entry: 1elab·o·rate
: : Pronunciation: i-'la-b(&-)r&t
: : Function: adjective
: : Etymology: Latin elaboratus, from past participle of elaborare to work out, acquire by labor, from e- + laborare to work -- more at LABORATORY
: : 1 : planned or carried out with great care
: : 2 : marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness

: :
: : So perhaps technically 'over elaborate' is not incorrect (double negatives, I love them). But opinions please? It sounds like I added a redundant word to me.

: haha, oh my grammar!!!

: No no, I didn't add a redundant word to 'me', I meant that it 'sounded to me', like I added a redundant word. Smack my hand!

Being elaborate is not necessarily a mistake; being overelaborate is. SS

• There's 'elaborate' and there's 'elaborate' Lewis 23/September/04