4 ms·
Hmm, I know all male words but only four of the female ones: guess I'm the exception that confirms the rule :/
by wildpeaks 12y ago
Hmm, I know all male words but only four of the female ones: guess I'm the exception that confirms the rule :/
- jordigh 12y agoI get the feeling these are "internet" or "computer nerd" words. Many of the male words I know are all from videogames. Where else would I interact with dreadnaughts (Red Alert) or claymores (Final Fantasy)? :-) My guess is that the respondents were self-selected internet dwellers. Looking at their polling criteria, (an online test?) looks like it may well be the case.
- tankenmate 12y agoApart from the fact that both of these words pre-date the Internet and/or computer nerds. The word dreadnaught is a neologistic spelling of dreadnought; which is a portmanteau contraction of the phrase "fear God, and dread nought". The first historical use as the name of a naval vessel is HMS Dreadnought (1553). The word claymore is another very old word, 14th vs 15th century. It comes from Scots Gaelic and literally means "great sword". Since both words are terms for two weapons of war it probably is more likely to be known by men.
- jordigh 12y agoI know the words are old, but who nowadays gets exposed to both unless they're playing videogames? Military history buffs? And that's most men?