"Contemporary" does not mean modern or up-to-date 2

[MeGustaXL]

So why do I hear it used that way so often?
Is it just because some speakers are afraid of simple English?
Or am I the one who is wrong?


Chris

Someday I'll know what I'm donig...damn!

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Contemporary simply allocates a timeframe relationship between 2 or more people or things
Contemporary brings two items into the same time period. With respect to that time period, unless a specific time period is identified, the time frame is the present.

With this sentence, as written:

Those drapes give this room such a contemporary look and feel

It's pretty clear to me that the drapes are NOT of the same time period as the furniture. If the drapes were contemporary with the furniture, then the drapes would not have given the room a different look and feel from the one it already had. In other words, the drapes have changed the look and feel of the room. And since no specific time period is identified to apply to contemporary, one can naturally assume the present. I take the sentence to mean, "Those drapes give this room such a modern look and feel." (and that the furniture is not modern). I agree with strongm; that is a perfectly normal use of the word.

With respect to the second sentence,

This new band put a contemporary twist on jive standards.

I again agree with strongm. This a good use of the word and contemporary is necessary as it does provide additional meaning to the sentence.

==> The word new in the second example defines the timeframe so contemporary is redundant and adds nothing to the sentence
The adjective 'new' defines the age of the band; however, it does not define the time frame of the music the band plays. Just because the band is new doesn't mean that their music is new. Please consider the following:
This new band puts a contemporary twist on classical music.
This new band puts a contemporary twist on ragtime.
This new band puts a contemporary twist on disco.
For our case, this new band put a contemporary twist on jive. In each of these examples, 'new' defines the age of the band, but 'contemporary' applies to the type and style of music being played. New and contemporary apply to two entirely different things.

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[CajunCenturion]

==> I have a Karate injury - distal bicep tendon tear - for those more curious
Ouch. Hope that heals quickly.

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[hjgoldstein]

=> distal bicep tendon
Shouldn't that be distal biceps tendon ?

Aspiring to mediocrity since 1957

 

[kwbMitel]

@hjgoldstein

I know you are not criticising a persons typing skils who is appologising for same with good reason. Needless to say...

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What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[2ffat]

*Sigh* I don't care what anyone says. When I hear, contemporary, I think of the 1960's. That word was so overused back then. Avocado-Green kitchen appliances anyone? ;-)





James P. Cottingham
I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!

 

[MeGustaXL]

What is reddit? I know it as the comment made by a frog when offered s book to read, in a VERY old gag...

Chris

Someday I'll know what I'm donig...damn!

 

[hjgoldstein]

I couldn't find the tongue-in-cheek emoticon. No offence.

Aspiring to mediocrity since 1957

 

[MeGustaXL]

@hjgoldstein: None taken I've just never heard "reddit" before, other than in that very old joke. Maybe it's something us Brits don't have over here.
I must be getting too old and cranky to allow these things to pass uncommented - see my previous whingeing about the use of "Leverage" as a verb

Chris

Someday I'll know what I'm donig...damn!

 

[hjgoldstein]

@MeGustaXL - sorry, my comment was aimed at kwbMitel and his sore arm. I too am from the more ancient side of the pond.

@kwbMitel - wasn't having a go, honest!

Aspiring to mediocrity since 1957

 

[kwbMitel]

@MeGustaXL - I'm taking it on faith that you are not trolling me

http://webtrends.about.com/od/reddit/a/Me-Gusta-Meme-Rage-Comics.htm

@hjgoldstein - no offence, I smiled, my response was open ended on purpose. people fill in the most remarkable thinf to "Needless to say..." I've sorta been playing with it lately (trolling if you will)


**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[gbaughma]

So, if I am understanding correctly...

We just replaced our lighting in the living room; I wanted lights that looked like the old-style gas lamps, because of the age of the home (built in the late 1920's), and felt that would best fit the time period and decor/style of the home.

So, in that context, I put in contemporary lighting?



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> So, in that context, I put in contemporary lighting?
Only if you explicitly state that the time period being referenced is the age of the home. If you don't specify the specific time period, then the present would be the default. You did not put in contemporary lighting; you put in lighting contemporaneous to the age of the home.




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[strongm]

>contemporaneous

I was going to mention that word much earlier in the thread, but for reasons too tedious to get into here, decided against it.

 

[kwbMitel]

re:contemporaneous

Was Sir Francis Bacon a contemporary of William Shakespeare or was he contemporaneous with him?

Is the lighting contemporary with the look of the home or is it contemporaneous with it?



**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[MeGustaXL]

@kwbMitel - I'm taking it on faith that you are not trolling me
Not at all - but I like the drawing!

No, I chose that tag a long time back because (a) I like Excel, and (b) I was learning Spanish for my holidays in Magaluf, hence "Me Gusta Excel" [boom, tish]

Chris

Someday I'll know what I'm donig...damn!

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Was Sir Francis Bacon a contemporary of William Shakespeare or was he contemporaneous with him?
Both.
==> Is the lighting contemporary with the look of the home or is it contemporaneous with it?
Both.

The thing you must be careful about is that if you wish to use contemporary, or contemporaneous with any time period other than the present, you must identify the specific time period.

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Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read
FAQ181-2886
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[philhege]

Avocado-Green kitchen appliances anyone?

How about putty-colored bathroom fixtures? Blecch. We "Bath-Fittered" the tub; now I have to whack the sink.

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With business clients like mine, you'd be better off herding cats.