Re: [OT] non technical Q: bad or worse. Was: To do the same as Windows safe mode...........

[Jerry Stuckle <jstuckle@attglobal.net>]

On 1/1/2014 7:24 AM, Eike Lantzsch wrote:
> On Wednesday 01 January 2014 22:31:58 Charlie wrote:
> > On Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:59:36 +1100 Scott Ferguson sent:
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > > Less worse. You meant less worse. :)
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > Yes, less worse.
> Sorry I got this honest question 'cause I'm not a native English
> speaker and what is worse: I don't live in an English speaking country
> what means that some colloquialisms are well over my head. I do not
> intend to nitpick.
>
> I found "less worse" somewhat funny. Is that part of modern English?
> I learned "not as bad as" but English changed so much since then and
> "not as bad as" does not seem to convey the same shade of meaning as
> "less worse".
>
> I found this article:
>
> http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/22/now-the-less-worse-economy-looks-good/
>
> Is that special biz speak of Hong Kong? T'isnt Scots innit?
>
> Eike

Yes, "less worse" is colloquial English that's been around for many 
years (I've forgotten when I first heard it - maybe the 1970's? IDK). It 
stems from "bad - worse -worst".  As "worse" has a more negative 
connotation than "bad", "less worse" has a more negative connotation 
than "not as bad as".

Jerry