Goodly

A friend of mine, T, invents words. His most recent is one that I cannot type here lest my PG rating bump to PG-13 :o) Currently, the invented word he uses most frequently is goodly. A personal favorite of mine. I'm blogging about this word in an effort to get it added to the English Language. You see, this week we discovered that Merriam-Webster Dictionary editors add a word to their dictionary based on usage (primarily from print sources). So I figure if I can get the word out (ha ha), there is a fighting chance to increase "goodly" usage and attract the attention of the editors. Please refer to http://www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq/words_in.htm?&t=1294288096 for supporting evidence. Readers, I know this is a long shot. But, why not stretch your creative muscles and figure out how you can incorporate "goodly" into your every day written and spoken communication?

Wait, a minute, hold the presses. Cease your fingers from posting and shut your mouths from talking. I'm surprised to report that goodly is already in the dictionary. It is an adjective with the following definitions: 1. pleasantly attractive and 2. significantly large, considerable (a "goodly" number). I'll have to check with T and see if these definitions adequately define his version of "goodly." I believe they may not fully capture the depth of his meaning.

If not, then I propose another excellent idea. Merriam-Webster also has Open Dictionary, where people submit words and definitions online. http://nws.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/. Perhaps T can submit an alternate definition for "goodly." I mean, after all, DVDs are released with alternate endings; why not something similar for a word?

Words are goodly :o)