Melty

[Thadeus]

So my niece was using the word 'melty' as an adjective a few weekends ago and it caused a discussion. As in, "the cheese is too melty".

Does 'melty' stand up as an adjective? I only realized it is used commonly after the discussion... I've heard it a number of times now in unrelated conversation.

 

[CajunCenturion]

==>Does 'melty' stand up as an adjective?
Unfortunately, I'm afraid it does.

Personally, I think it's a horrible construction for several reasons. From a semantic perspective, 'melted', or for our friends on the other side of that great big pond, 'melt' is quite sufficient as an adjective. From a linguistic standpoint, 'melty' is more of an adverb construct, not an adjective construct.

Nevertheless, it seems to be finding its way into the lexicon as an adjective, and such is the nature of English evolution.


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[jebenson]

Well, there's this article about the word:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/websters_reluctantly_adds

However, given the source of this article, I have to say that no, "melty" is not a proper adjective.

I think this was the funniest part of the Onion article:

"Melty, adjective: from the English 'melt'," Merriam-Webster president John Morse said in a series of words he never imagined he would ever have need to utter. "1: An edible foodstuff possessing viscous qualities; 2: See goolicious. I hereby announce my retirement."

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[Dollie]

It's a word in Taco *ell commercials. They make up a bunch of words regularly though, like "enchirito". You sure can't find an enchirito anywhere else in the world.

 

[AnotherHiggins]

Dollie beat me to it. I'm pretty sure your niece picked that up from Taco Bell commercials.

They aren't content with polluting America's stomachs, they insist on polluting our language as well.

And speaking of enchiritos, remember Chilitos? They're now called "chili cheese burritos".

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[Michael52x]

Thats just the point of the word. To be a descriptive that is different, and appeals to the people using it. Kids!
Kid-speak is quite becoming rampant, and is infusing into the basic lingua fracca of cultures. Blame technology!

"Impatience will reward you with dissatisfaction" RMS Cosmics'97

 

[Dollie]

I don't blame technology, I blame kids!

And yes I remember chilitos. There was one from 1987 that still comes back on me.

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> I'm pretty sure your niece picked that up from Taco Bell commercials.
That may be, but even if it started as a specific marketing term, the word has caught on and slipped into mainstream use. It's the slipping into main stream use that triggers its inclusion into the lexicon.


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[rjoubert]

Even before the current Taco Bell commercials, I heard that word used in an episode of "The Drew Carey Show" (does anyone else think that I watch too much TV?). Drew's boss, Mr. Wick, was teasing Drew by eating chocolate in front of him, while repeating "MMMM! Melty.

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

You sure can't find an enchirito anywhere else in the world."

Well, when your corporate trademark system rewards you making up new words, you kinda have to do that.

Eventually, all we'll have left is "popplers" and "zitlers."

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[octothorpe]

The word was used in literature long before Taco Bell ever got hold of it, but I'm sure they're responsible for its popularity - kids are much more likely to see a Taco Bell commercial than read a book.

 

[ChrisHunt]

There's no such word as "melty" in British usage, what is it supposed to mean? I'd suggest "melted", "molten" or (maybe) "meltable" as alternatives.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[Thadeus]

Well Chris, after watching The Melty Man Cometh episode of Coupling, I can state unequivocally that I heard Brits use the word. And while it is being used in that sense in a silly playful manner related to sex, that playfulness is still inherent when my wife won't take the toasted marshmallow off the stick because it is "too melty".

To this stage it seems more of a colloquialism than anything else, but as has been pointed out, this is how languages evolve.

Thanks for all the replies!

~Thadeus

 

[tcsbiz]

I've heard the term used in context of making s'mores at Boy Scout camp. The younger boys use it to describe the consistency of the goo that results from the melting of the marshmallow and the chocolate.

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

hm, I think "molten" only applies to things that start with the letter "l", such as "lead" or "lava."

And yep, The Melty Man Cometh definitely indicates colloquial use of the word in the UK. Although you have to consider the source -- the character Jeffrey is a bit of a nutter.


Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[vanka25]

hm, I think "molten" only applies to things that start with the letter "l", such as "lead" or "lava."

Are you saying it would be incorrect to say molten iron or molten steel? I haven't heard about the "l" rule when using molten; can you provide a reference?

 

[genomon]

You think "melty" is bad? In Wisconsin, expensive things are referred to as "spendy". Very expensive things are "too spendy".

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."

 

[tcsbiz]

I have heard the "spendy" use, too. I am in WI and there are many language anomalies here.

 

[KornGeek]

hm, I think "molten" only applies to things that start with the letter "l", such as "lead" or "lava."

You've overlooked the most important of them all:
Molten Chocolate Cake

mmmmm...

 

[SamBones]

I seem to remember, in an old black and white film, the Hunchback of Notre Dam dancing about the parapets chanting, "Molten metal, molten metal, ...", just before dumping out some huge cauldrons on the angry mob below.

Not sure if I'm remembering correctly.