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mialuthien commented on the word a resounding silence
= a meaningful silence
July 25, 2008
sionnach commented on the word a resounding silence
Is "meaningful" really the best synonym here?
July 25, 2008
mialuthien commented on the word a resounding silence
Er, yes? "Was met with a resounding silence" – Google Book Search. The silence is imbued with meaning because it signifies something, usually a negative or a critical opinion.
July 25, 2008
rolig commented on the word a resounding silence
I think the idea in the oxymoronic phrase "a resounding silence" is that something that was expected to meet with praise or at least to generate interest in fact received no response at all, not even a negative or critical opinion. So if someone says, for instance, "His second movie was met with a resounding silence", this does not mean that it got bad reviews, but that it was essentially ignored. The meaning of such silence is debatable, though I would say the usual implication is not that it expresses a negative opinion, but that it expresses an inability to understand or evaluate something.
July 25, 2008
dontcry commented on the word a resounding silence
nach, what I think Mia meant by "meaningful" was that there was some specific meaning to be taken from the silence (unlike the silence, for instance, at a gravesite -- which is appropriate silence). Meaningful silence is a silence that actually says something (either positive or negative) and is not an expected silence. What is being "said" by the silence has meaning beyond silence, in a big way....Eh?
July 25, 2008
whichbe commented on the word a resounding silence
What is the sound of no hands clapping?
July 25, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word a resounding silence
I think pregnant pause is a better phrase to carry the definition "a meaningful silence." A resounding silence is notable not for its meaning, but for the lack of applause or acclaim. (Rolig put it very well, IMHO.)
Mia, thanks for listing all these. We have had some really interesting discussions today!
July 25, 2008
slumry commented on the word a resounding silence
went over like a lead balloon
July 22, 2015