| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
| |
| enthuse (v.) |
| |
| |
| is a back-formation (from enthusiasm) that even after more than a century of slow climb toward full Standard status has not yet achieved it, at least in the view of some lexicographers and some commentators on usage. Colloquial, however, is the lowest ranking it receives, and in fact the word today is Standard in all but the most Formal and Oratorical uses. Nonetheless, some Edited English is still reluctant to accept it, so assess your audience’s taste carefully: when in doubt, don’t enthuse; show enthusiasm or be enthusiastic. | 1 |
| |
| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
|
|
