4 ms·
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 1
by 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.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- supermatt 4y agoIll 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.