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Sorry, non-native English speaker here... Never heard the term "limerence before". Seems to be a kinda-sorta synonym of "infatuation", no? Why everybody in this

by hernan7 16y ago

Sorry, non-native English speaker here... Never heard the term "limerence before". Seems to be a kinda-sorta synonym of "infatuation", no? Why everybody in this thread is using it instead of just "infatuation" -- some Internet meme that I'm not aware of?

elblanco 16y ago
"Infatuation" has a slightly different meaning distinct from "love" while "limerence" is a distinct and precise form of "love". Just like love can be an umbrella term for a number of similar but different emotions (love like siblings, love between parents and children, love between friends, etc.), "limerence" might also be called a "crush" or "puppy love" (if I read the article correctly). I think you can probably use it loosely as a synonym with infatuation in most contexts but the meaning is ever so slightly different. I never heard it before today either, English has a far too many words.
gruseom 16y ago
It's not a real word. It was coined by the author of the book, and http://www.google.com/search?q=limerence http://www.google.com/search?q=limerence makes clear that usage of it is limited to discussions based on the book. It's a strange neologism, too, that doesn't sound right to my ear. What's the etymology? The only thing I can think of is limen (threshold) as in liminal and subliminal.
- deleted 16y ago
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- danohuiginn 16y ago
  It seems there is no etymology: According to the creator, "I first used the term ‘amorance’ then changed it back to ‘limerence’... It has no roots whatsoever. It looks nice. It works well in French. Take it from me it has no etymology whatsoever." http://www.languagehat.com/archives/001708.php http://www.languagehat.com/archives/001708.php I also find myself feeling slightly uneasy when confronted by a word without etymology. Knowing it was consciously made up is somehow reassuring.
  - gruseom 16y ago
    Thanks for the info. I say she should have stuck with "amorance"!
losvedir 16y ago
>Why everybody in this thread is using it instead of just "infatuation" -- some Internet meme that I'm not aware of? Because that was the term used in the article. edited to add: Though, to me, you're right: I don't see much difference between limerance and infatuation.

by hernan7 16y ago

elblanco 16y ago

"Infatuation" has a slightly different meaning distinct from "love" while "limerence" is a distinct and precise form of "love". Just like love can be an umbrella term for a number of similar but different emotions (love like siblings, love between parents and children, love between friends, etc.), "limerence" might also be called a "crush" or "puppy love" (if I read the article correctly). I think you can probably use it loosely as a synonym with infatuation in most contexts but the meaning is ever so slightly different. I never heard it before today either, English has a far too many words.

gruseom 16y ago

It's not a real word. It was coined by the author of the book, and http://www.google.com/search?q=limerence http://www.google.com/search?q=limerence makes clear that usage of it is limited to discussions based on the book. It's a strange neologism, too, that doesn't sound right to my ear. What's the etymology? The only thing I can think of is limen (threshold) as in liminal and subliminal.

deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
danohuiginn 16y ago
It seems there is no etymology: According to the creator, "I first used the term ‘amorance’ then changed it back to ‘limerence’... It has no roots whatsoever. It looks nice. It works well in French. Take it from me it has no etymology whatsoever." http://www.languagehat.com/archives/001708.php http://www.languagehat.com/archives/001708.php I also find myself feeling slightly uneasy when confronted by a word without etymology. Knowing it was consciously made up is somehow reassuring.
- gruseom 16y ago
  Thanks for the info. I say she should have stuck with "amorance"!

losvedir 16y ago

>Why everybody in this thread is using it instead of just "infatuation" -- some Internet meme that I'm not aware of? Because that was the term used in the article. edited to add: Though, to me, you're right: I don't see much difference between limerance and infatuation.