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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Cynicism / Scepticism
What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic?
According to dictionary definitions, being cynical is believing the worst in human nature. Being sceptical is casting doubt on something.
Though in some instances (I can't remember which), they are interchanged and perhaps incorrectly used.
Many thanks,
-A-
According to dictionary definitions, being cynical is believing the worst in human nature. Being sceptical is casting doubt on something.
Though in some instances (I can't remember which), they are interchanged and perhaps incorrectly used.
Many thanks,
-A-
Top answer
[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? [/nq] A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.
- [nq:1]What is the difference?
- And which of the two 'sounds' stronger?
- [/nq] A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.
- Paul In bocca al Lupo!
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8 Answers
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[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic?[/nq]
A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.
Paul
In bocca al Lupo!
A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.
Paul
In bocca al Lupo!
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[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic? According to dictionary definitions, being cynical is believing the worst in human nature.[/nq]
"CYNIC, n.
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve his vision."
A
"CYNIC, n.
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve his vision."
A
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[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic? According to dictionary definitions, being cynical is believing the worst in human nature. Being sceptical is casting doubt on something.[/nq]
You've just answered your own question, so what do you want to know? .
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
You've just answered your own question, so what do you want to know? .
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
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[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic?[/nq]
A cynic doubts other people's motives (values).
A skeptic doubts other people's assertions of fact (truths.)
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
A cynic doubts other people's motives (values).
A skeptic doubts other people's assertions of fact (truths.)
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
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[nq:1]What is the difference? And which of the two 'sounds' stronger?Being called a cynic or a spectic? According to dictionary ... sceptical is casting doubt onsomething. Though in some instances (I can't remember which), they are interchanged and perhaps incorrectly used.[/nq]
In the U.S., "cynical" can mean dishonest. For instance, there's a book about women in the Bush administration calle
In the U.S., "cynical" can mean dishonest. For instance, there's a book about women in the Bush administration calle
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Asif Givashi:
[nq:2]... which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic?[/nq]
Paul Wolff:
[nq:1]A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.[/nq]
And a spectik would visit an American optician.
Mark Brader, Toronto "People say I'm a skeptic (Email Removed) but I find that hard to believe
[nq:2]... which of the two 'sounds' stronger? Being called a cynic or a spectic?[/nq]
Paul Wolff:
[nq:1]A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.[/nq]
And a spectik would visit an American optician.
Mark Brader, Toronto "People say I'm a skeptic (Email Removed) but I find that hard to believe
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Mark Brader filted:
[nq:1]Asif Givashi: Paul Wolff:[/nq]
[nq:2]A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.[/nq]
[nq:1]And a spectik would visit an American optician.[/nq]
And a septic (preferred form "seppo") would simply visit an American..r
[nq:1]Asif Givashi: Paul Wolff:[/nq]
[nq:2]A cynic would belittle the questioner, while a spectic would visit the optician for stronger reading glasses.[/nq]
[nq:1]And a spectik would visit an American optician.[/nq]
And a septic (preferred form "seppo") would simply visit an American..r
00
[nq:1]Mark Brader filted:[/nq]
[nq:2]Asif Givashi: Paul Wolff: And a spectik would visit an American optician.[/nq]
[nq:1]And a septic (preferred form "seppo") would simply visit an American..r[/nq]
Nah. Cynicism is when you paint your house turquoise. Scepticism is not having mains drainage. *** knows what specticism is.
DC
[nq:2]Asif Givashi: Paul Wolff: And a spectik would visit an American optician.[/nq]
[nq:1]And a septic (preferred form "seppo") would simply visit an American..r[/nq]
Nah. Cynicism is when you paint your house turquoise. Scepticism is not having mains drainage. *** knows what specticism is.
DC
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