Fixed it — thanks. That really didn’t make any sense, did it?
Herb Reeves:
October 14th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Although “flounder” has two etymologically distinct definitions, the one meaning “fish” offers the perfect mnemonic to distinguish the two verbs, “flounder” and “founder.”
“Flounder” is exactly what the fish does when caught and thrown on deck. (And also what my brain does when attempting to remember the spelling of “mnemonic.”)
Dirk Poppen:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Let’s make this more confusing and talk about a house foundering
John Amneus:
April 20th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
There’s a dangerous medical condition that horses get, called ‘foundering’. If I recall correctly, it occurs when the horse eats too much. Presumably, it shares the general meaning of ‘sinking’, or ‘going down’. Any idea when this usage began?
Ann Broadhead:
October 19th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
I grew up in a Midwest German community and when a horse got a condition of the hooves they “foundered” and had to be shot. They could no longer work. Every time I hear The word floundering used for failed or failing, it gives me that cringing feeling like fingernails on a blackboard. I am absolutely no way easily taking the use of floundering, as what fishermen do when after going to fish for flounders. Hard to use for me in any other way…I guess I am getting old in my ways!
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William:
June 19th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I believe there is a typo in your final example of the sales manager for http://www.word-detective.com/2009/04/03/founder-flounder/
words1:
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 am
Fixed it — thanks. That really didn’t make any sense, did it?
Herb Reeves:
October 14th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Although “flounder” has two etymologically distinct definitions, the one meaning “fish” offers the perfect mnemonic to distinguish the two verbs, “flounder” and “founder.”
“Flounder” is exactly what the fish does when caught and thrown on deck. (And also what my brain does when attempting to remember the spelling of “mnemonic.”)
Dirk Poppen:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Let’s make this more confusing and talk about a house foundering
John Amneus:
April 20th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
There’s a dangerous medical condition that horses get, called ‘foundering’. If I recall correctly, it occurs when the horse eats too much. Presumably, it shares the general meaning of ‘sinking’, or ‘going down’. Any idea when this usage began?
Ann Broadhead:
October 19th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
I grew up in a Midwest German community and when a horse got a condition of the hooves they “foundered” and had to be shot. They could no longer work. Every time I hear The word floundering used for failed or failing, it gives me that cringing feeling like fingernails on a blackboard. I am absolutely no way easily taking the use of floundering, as what fishermen do when after going to fish for flounders. Hard to use for me in any other way…I guess I am getting old in my ways!