thusly
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
thus + -ly, dating from the 19th century, seemingly coined by educated writers to make fun of uneducated persons trying to sound genteel,[1] with a false inference that thus is not an adverb.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adverb
thusly
- thus (in this way).
[edit] Usage notes
Although thusly has diffused into popular usage, it is still widely regarded as incorrect; instead, other equivalent expressions (such as thus or this way) can be used.[1] The word is not listed in the online version of the Chambers Dictionary of the English language.[2] It originated in the U.S., and it is still more common in American than British English; it is "often used for amusement or to make an ironic point."[3]
[edit] Quotations
- 1893, Isabel Burton, The Life of Captain Sir Richard F. Burton KCMG, FRGS, Vol II:
- Stories never lose anything in the recital, and consequently this one grew thusly.
- 1995 December, John P. Wiley Jr, quoting Edward R. Harrison, Smithsonian Magazine:
- The history of the Universe has been summed up thusly: "Hydrogen is a light, odorless gas, which, given enough time, turns into people."
- 1996, Charles Harding, High Rise Dwelling [1]:
- Going thusly, unwillingly at the bell,
- Answering the call to recycle my time.
[edit] References
- Notes:
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition (Accessed 2009-01-10)
- ^ Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (2006). (Accessed 2009-01-10)
- ^ Pam Peters, The Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2003).
