Monday, October 16, 2023

New Prefix

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.

26 comments:

  1. That is funny Pre Loved Single Guy..... but then again.... but would prefer a Pre loved single girl?

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dee. Yes, he would love that.

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  2. Ha ha really funny 🤣

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  3. It's a good prefix if we don't get into details..

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  4. Pre-loved is really quite innovative. Won't be surprised if it becomes popular.

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  5. Interesting... Pre-loved term, when used for products in second hand luxury market will take pride of place.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Mr. Nageswar. And, welcome to my blog. I am sure you are correct.

      Mr. Nageswar, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.

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  6. Loved the analogies! Pre cycle, another pre word.....!!!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Swarna. And, welcome to my blog. Pre cycle is a good one. Thanks for suggesting.

      Swarna, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.

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  7. Interesting. We are fixed with a pre. Notion of pre. We express ourselves of the pre medieval days. The list goes on. May be we have to change the of pre and apply our mund for a better word for this. Ihh!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Anonymous. Wish I had known your identity to give you proper recognition.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments Arun. Long time no see. Hope you and your family are doing well.

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  9. I think book fairs largely use this term . Later i learnt, there are even takers for pre-owned toys. Gen Z may not know, that a word called "Second hand" ever existed.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Viyoma. You are correct about Gen Z.

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  10. It is the usage that may be more important.
    Pre-set weddings for example is suitable for Indian communities. But not for other global communities.
    In India pre-owned cars is a popular term, now.

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  11. Yes, even I noticed the widespread use of pre-loved & pre-owned- all steps forward.
    Agree with you. Interesting points.
    "Pre-loved" guy/person & one who has dated before, becomes "Pre-dated"! :) :)
    English gives a chance for euphemism :)

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  12. I love to read shelley's Skylark, where he describes the bird's song as "unpremeditated art". so spontaneous and natural is the bird's song! The prefix "pre" in this word adds some unknown beauty or pleasant flavour to the very poem.

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