I just noted a new prefix is making the rounds.
For anything used before, we called it second-hand.
People started to improvise that to pre-owned.
Now there is an improvement to pre-owned. It is called pre-loved.
A used second-hand book is now pre-loved book.
A used car is now pre-loved car.
A used clothing which we donate to Goodwill is now pre-loved clothes.
A used furniture is now pre-loved furniture.
This is a good prefix. But I have a doubt. Before we use a hot oven, we pre-heat the oven. Other “pre-loved” items are after they are used. But we “pre-heat” the oven before we use. Different meanings for the same “pre”? I am confused. But again I did not go to Harvard.
I was talking about this to a friend of mine. His girlfriend recently dumped him. He is looking for a new girlfriend. He wants to call himself pre-loved single guy,
If you know any “pre” please let me know. Thanks.