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The already existing definition of shrinkage applies to anything that shrinks - including a penis. i.e. its not a new context. How about "regifting" what conte

The already existing definition of shrinkage applies to anything that shrinks - including a penis. i.e. its not a new context. How about "regifting" what context does he use there instead of the preexisting definition of gifting a gift you have received? The existing definition would apply for ALL gifts - including penises (or whetever context thats about).

opium_tea 4y ago
I'm not sure anyone is claiming Seinfeld invented the words but he presented them in newly humorous contexts that become widely used. Shrinkage became a word used in a comical attempt to quash rumours of small penis size as well as to describe what happens when men swim in cold water. In the time when Seinfeld was popular then the word shrinkage used in a certain way would have been understood in these contexts and wouldn't have resulted in a HN-style overly literal interpretation and the question "what shrunk?". (speaking of overly-literal interpretations I feel the need to clarify that i'm referring to people who were vaguely up to date with popular culture). Regifting isn't a literal description of giving a gift you received to another person. After Seinfeld's use it became a humorous euphemism for cheapness and tactlessness.
- supermatt 4y ago
  Seinfeld himself said he made up the words - I copied from the actual article. From all I have seen in this thread, these words are being used in the literal context for which they were already defined - and they are already humorous without the need to imply it. EDIT: you can downvote all you like, doesnt change the fact that he didnt actually make up the words or even their usage...
caf 4y ago
I don't believe that the verb 'regift' was extant before Seinfeld - it seems the show may well have introduced the word. The Macmillan Dictionary dates it to 1995: https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/regift https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/regift Perhaps someone with the full Oxford would like to check what cites they have for it.
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- supermatt 4y ago
  Ill concede on "regift". It seems I was wrong about the prior meaning. The OED traces the word back to 1837, but it was used primarily to mean giving a gift multiple times. In fact, it states that the definition of gifting of an unwanted gift is a predominately north american (although I have used it myself - no doubt through coming into contact with it through popular culture). There ARE example uses in that form that predate the Seinfeld show (you can find them by searching google books) - but they seem exclusively Indian English.

opium_tea 4y ago

I'm not sure anyone is claiming Seinfeld invented the words but he presented them in newly humorous contexts that become widely used. Shrinkage became a word used in a comical attempt to quash rumours of small penis size as well as to describe what happens when men swim in cold water. In the time when Seinfeld was popular then the word shrinkage used in a certain way would have been understood in these contexts and wouldn't have resulted in a HN-style overly literal interpretation and the question "what shrunk?". (speaking of overly-literal interpretations I feel the need to clarify that i'm referring to people who were vaguely up to date with popular culture). Regifting isn't a literal description of giving a gift you received to another person. After Seinfeld's use it became a humorous euphemism for cheapness and tactlessness.

supermatt 4y ago
Seinfeld himself said he made up the words - I copied from the actual article. From all I have seen in this thread, these words are being used in the literal context for which they were already defined - and they are already humorous without the need to imply it. EDIT: you can downvote all you like, doesnt change the fact that he didnt actually make up the words or even their usage...

caf 4y ago

I don't believe that the verb 'regift' was extant before Seinfeld - it seems the show may well have introduced the word. The Macmillan Dictionary dates it to 1995: https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/regift https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/regift Perhaps someone with the full Oxford would like to check what cites they have for it.

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supermatt 4y ago
Ill concede on "regift". It seems I was wrong about the prior meaning. The OED traces the word back to 1837, but it was used primarily to mean giving a gift multiple times. In fact, it states that the definition of gifting of an unwanted gift is a predominately north american (although I have used it myself - no doubt through coming into contact with it through popular culture). There ARE example uses in that form that predate the Seinfeld show (you can find them by searching google books) - but they seem exclusively Indian English.