There are no degrees of uniqueness.

Something is either unique or it is not.

A person or thing cannot be very unique, quite unique or a bit unique. A person or thing is either one of a kind or it is not.

Even almost unique doesn't cut it and totally unique is just a tautology.

So please stop doing it. You're pissing me off.

 

OK we won't tell you how "uniquely unique" you are. :redface: :tongue:

I have heard that phrase used and they didn't even realize how stupid it sounded.

You are right either it is one of a kind or it isn't.

*prepares for :chairshot:*​

 

Manly, you are quite uniquely anal.

The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around the beginning of the 17th century were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. The comparison of so-called absolutes in senses that are not absolute is standard in all varieties of speech and writing.

[source]

 

Bollocks to your source :smile:

 

Ah, a real discussion.
Thank gawd for Manly.

 

Yes, quite unique :wink:

 

I agree with you 110%.

 

Many people use the words "totally" and "very" as meaningless intensifiers, "bit" or "quite" as meiosis as a meaningless intensifier, which I also frequently do, but you are correct that it isn't grammatically correct to do so when the word cannot logically be intensified.

I am not bothered by the grammatical mistakes of others, so I tend to be careless with my grammar when I speak and write.

That's hilarious!

 

the internet has proven that no one is unique

 

There are no degrees of eunuch either. Get it in your thick skulls!!

 

Like, totally... :tongue:

 

This reminds me of what architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said of his client Aline Barnsdale "She was neither neo, quasi, or psuedo." He designed for her Hollyhock House. I always liked that description. Its kinda quasi psuedo unique.

 

From the Life of Brian, Sermon on the Mount spoof:

Locutor: "We are all individuals!
Audience: We are all individuals!
One wee voice: "I'm not."

 

What inspired this? Specific post, specific situation, etc. or just something that's been on your mind?

 

Yes :smile:

 

I'll agree. It's a black-and-white concept. People don't like those.

 

Its one of those "From the desk of ManBan" things.

 

No it's not.
As one poster noted above:

The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around the beginning of the 17th century were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. The comparison of so-called absolutes in senses that are not absolute is standard in all varieties of speech and writing.

So someone was trying to help manly.
But did she lissen?
Noooo.

 

Graduate of the Ronald Reagan Comprehension Academy, are we?

 

A lot of people do. They are generally absolutists and/or authoritarians. They are hardly unique.