In an article in the current issue of Premiere magazine (which I highly recommend--the entire magazine is about comedy) there is an article about Steve Carell which has the following sentence:
Given the enormity of Evan Almighty [sequel to Bruce Almighty]--which finds Baxter (Carell) promoted from newsroom bully to New York state congressman--it's hard to believe that just a few years ago Carell warned friends and family that his scenes as Bruce's nemesis might get cut. Is this the incorrect use of enormity? In Merriam-Webster online (www.m-w.com) there is the following definition/usage note: enormity One entry found for enormity. Main Entry: enor·mi·ty Pronunciation: i-'nor-m&-tE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -ties 1 : an outrageous, improper, vicious, or immoral act <the enormities of state power -- Susan Sontag> <other enormities too juvenile to mention -- Richard Freedman> 2 : the quality or state of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous; especially : great wickedness <the enormity of the crimes committed during the Third Reich -- G. A. Craig> 3 : the quality or state of being huge : IMMENSITY 4 : a quality of momentous importance usage Enormity, some people insist, is improperly used to denote large size. They insist on enormousness for this meaning, and would limit enormity to the meaning "great wickedness." Those who urge such a limitation may not recognize the subtlety with which enormity is actually used. It regularly denotes a considerable departure from the expected or normal <they awakened; they sat up; and then the enormity of their situation burst upon them. "How did the fire start?" -- John Steinbeck>. When used to denote large size, either literal or figurative, it usually suggests something so large as to seem overwhelming <no intermediate zone of study. Either the enormity of the desert or the sight of a tiny flower -- Paul Theroux> <the enormity of the task of teachers in slum schools -- J. B. Conant> and may even be used to suggest both great size and deviation from morality <the enormity of existing stockpiles of atomic weapons -- New Republic>. It can also emphasize the momentousness of what has happened <the sombre enormity of the Russian Revolution -- George Steiner> or of its consequences <perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune -- E. L. Doctorow>. I thought it was wrong, but now I'm not sure. I guess it could be argued that enormousness and enormity can be interchangeable depending on the situation. Any insight would be appreciated--I know this is a major issue for Gene. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/6pRQfA/fOaOAA/yQLSAA/vzIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weingartenchatters/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
