Re: idée fixe

--- Patrick Ryan <proto-language@...> wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "george knysh" <gknysh@...>
> To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 10:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [tied] RE: idée fixe
>
> --- On Mon, 6/9/08, Patrick Ryan
> <proto-language@...> wrote:
>
> From: Patrick Ryan <proto-language@...>
> Subject: [tied] RE: idée fixe
> To: "CYBALIST" <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Monday, June 9, 2008, 4:09 PM
>
> It has been interesting seeing how list-members
> variously interpret idée
> fixe.
>
> Of course, the word is French, and has passed into
> probably every European
> language with a slightly different nuance.
>
> I can assure you all, however, that accusing someone
> of an idée fixe is used
> to native English speakers to designate someone
> mentally deranged:
>
> http://education. yahoo.com/ reference/ dictionary/
> entry/idee+ fixe
>
> It means not just a fixed idea but an idea held
> against evidence against it
> or with complete lack of evidence.
>
> Therefore, it is an aspersion against the person who
> holds it.
>
> A strongly held idea is simply a conviction.
>
> Patrick
> ****GK: This is just your view what "idee fixe"
> means in English. Not
> everyone shares it. You're beginning to have an
> "idee fixe" about the
> meaning of "idee fixe" (:=))) . Relax.****
>
>
> ***
>
> Patrick:
>
> AHD says "obsession".
>
> To be accused of being obsessive is an insult, at
> least in my English.
>
>
> ***
>

Everyone who has ever been in love has been obsessive.
And IMHO, those who have never suffered love are the
real loonies.
But patriotism, religion, political fanaticism, sports
fever all fall into the same category but we only
consider those on the other side as crazed menaces to
society.