Sorry y’all, but laxadaisical doesn’t exist, although that doesn’t stop people from saying it. And I have to confess that I’ve always pronounced it lacksadaisical; it is a word that I very rarely come across in print.
Some theorize that lax is what gave rise to laxadaisical. But lackadaisical actually evolved from an old expression of regret or dismay — alack-a-day, which evolved into lack-a-day and then onto its current form.
Word Confusions…
…started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noir for you from either end.
If you found this post on “Lackadaisical versus Laxadaisical” interesting, consider tweeting it to your friends. Subscribe to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.
| Lackadaisical | Laxadaisical |
|---|---|
| Credit to: Apple Dictionary.com | |
Lazy Gator is under the CC0 license, via Pxhere. — Yep, he looks lackadaisical to me. |
|
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adjective | No such word. |
Lacking enthusiasm, vigor, or determination
|
|
| Examples: | |
| A lackadaisical defense left the Spurs adrift in the second half.
“Well, that was a lackadaisical attempt,” she muttered under her breath. He was quite the lackadaisical fellow. Dr Jonsen seemed a little lackadaisical at times. That lackadaisical attitude by a number of the principal players has got to be eliminated. Did you see the lackadaisical look on his face!? |
|
| Derivatives: | |
| Adverb: lackadaisically Noun: lackadaisicalness |
|
| History of the Word: | |
| Mid-18th century (also in the sense feebly sentimental), from lackaday or its obsolete extended form lackadaisy. | |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan…which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them…and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions by exploring the index. You may also want to explore Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, and/or the Properly Punctuated.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Lazy Drinker – Borracho huevón by Saúl Soto is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Flickr.
