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Mr. Tom Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

Rabid speculation

Hi

I just ran into the phrase "rabid speculation" -- does it mean "extreme or violent speculation"?

I don't remember the exact sentence, but it was something like this:

The media showered (or splashed) their rabid speculation...

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom I just ran into the phrase "rabid speculation" -- does it mean "extreme or violent speculation"? Yes, 'extreme' or 'unhealthily enthusiastic'.

— Mister Micawber

  • Mr.
  • Tom I just ran into the phrase "rabid speculation" -- does it mean "extreme or violent speculation"?
  • Yes, 'extreme' or 'unhealthily enthusiastic'.
  • (It is hard to imagine 'violent')
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2 Answers
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Mr. TomI just ran into the phrase "rabid speculation" -- does it mean "extreme or violent speculation"?
Yes, 'extreme' or 'unhealthily enthusiastic'. (It is hard to imagine 'violent')
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Mr. Tomrabid
— related to Latin rabere, to rave, and Latin rabies, madness.

Also note rabies, a viral disease of the nervous system transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

Hence to some extent we associate this figurative use of rabid with the literal "raving mad", and "foaming at the mouth".

CJ
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