Reputation
Reputation
(OP)
Can there be a "bad reputation" ? To my understanding reputation means regard, repute, high status, stature, ability, standing, esteem, high quality of character, high rank, prestige as through success or wealth, high level of achievement, etc.
Is it right to speak of a bad reputation in the sense of dishonor, disgrace, discredit, spoiled notoriety, and so forth, as it would be when saying "bad quality" ? It seems to me these figures of speech are oxymoronic.
Kindly elaborate.





RE: Reputation
The positive connotation is only one of several available. Check your dictionary.
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Reputation
RE: Reputation
"Attitude", for example, is one that now has a negative connotation, even though it is supposed to be a neutral word. To you and me, the opposite of attitude is apathy; to modern usage, the opposite of attitude is a good attitude.
I have been on flights that were delayed because the destination city was experiencing "weather". I hope so.
Perhaps "reputation" is enjoying similar treatment.
Regards,
William
RE: Reputation
RE: Reputation
"I give this person my unqualified recommendation."
or
"This person has certainly earned his reputation and deserves all he has coming to him."
Regards,
William
RE: Reputation
Pronunciation: "re-py&-'tA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English reputacioun, from Latin reputation-, reputatio consideration, from reputare
1 a : overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general b : recognition by other people of some characteristic or ability <has the reputation of being clever>
RE: Reputation
If something is lacking in quality, would it not be considered bad quality? Are there not degrees of quality but then maybe it should only be on a scale of 1-10 on the good side with no shades of darkness i.e. in the negative spectrum.
I have no problem with modifiers for reputation or quality. Just don't put modifiers on unique and I'll be happy.
RE: Reputation
The root in question, incidentally, has to do with reckoning, not with goodness, so if you're going to argue for the positive meaning of "reputation" you might not want to take the etymological tack--or else take the radical step of actually LOOKING UP the etymology before you try to use it as part of your argument.
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Reputation
Thanks to HgTX and others. I got the idea.