Mar 10, 2004 16:09
20 yrs ago
13 viewers *
English term
United States
3 ATA certifications. Human translation.
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, Catalan to English, Portuguese to English, and 2 more.
chicest / most chic?
English
Art/Literary
Tourism & Travel
What's the superlative of "chic" in English? Google turned up a huge number of matches for "chicest" -- a term I've often used in spoken English. However, it looks funny on paper since I'd expect the "ce" combination to yield a soft "c" sound. Is this term and this spelling accceptable in semiformal (journalistic) writing? I'm working from a Spanish original which describes the chicest(?) resort in a given region.
Responses
| 4 +4 | comments |
Charlie Bavington
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| 4 +7 | chicest |
Edith Kelly
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| 5 +6 | most chic |
RHELLER
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| 5 +2 | the most elegant, the most sophisticated, le plus chic |
Fuad Yahya
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| 5 +1 | chicest |
Hacene
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| 5 | same difference |
Alexander Demyanov
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| 4 | chicest |
Kim Metzger
|
| 5 -1 | The most chic |
Jason Brooks (X)
|
| 2 | in support of Edith |
Jonathan MacKerron
|
Responses
+4
9 hrs
Charlie Bavington
Native in English
&
English
Hassle-free translations for busy people
Native in: English
Works in: French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
comments
Just thought I'd point out that sometimes we English speakers will avoid things that may be perfectly correct, just cos they look (or sound) strange.
Chic - yep, the rule is that regular one syllable words (let's not forget exceptions like bad and good) go -er and -est. No worries when you're talking, everyone's gonna know what you mean if you say 'chicest'.
If you speak English well enough, you will almost certainly almost subconsciously plan ahead when speaking in order to avoid things that sound odd or are just plain difficult. If picking pecks of pickled pepper were a crime, then a police officer interrogating a witness is unlikely to ask, “OK, so where is the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?” He’d re-phrase the question. However, typed, it presents no problem at all. The same can apply, although less often perhaps, in reverse.
Sure, you can say chic-est. However, with the best will in the world, it looks weird written down. Is it a typo for choicest? (and the meaning is similar enough to mean context won't help). Is it is typo for something else? Why isn't it spelt chiquest? (maybe it can be?) I would say it's best avoided in written text, and so I’d go for “most chic”, or, as someone else said, an alternative word entirely.
This wouldn't help in reported speech, of course, but in that situation, I might decide on "chic-est". ( Actually, chic is a word I detest; I cannot imagine anybody saying anything worth reporting that would include the word "chic", but I digress.)
The point is, some things just look wrong written down - chicest is one. So avoid it, the alternative is there - most chic. Use that instead!!
Chic - yep, the rule is that regular one syllable words (let's not forget exceptions like bad and good) go -er and -est. No worries when you're talking, everyone's gonna know what you mean if you say 'chicest'.
If you speak English well enough, you will almost certainly almost subconsciously plan ahead when speaking in order to avoid things that sound odd or are just plain difficult. If picking pecks of pickled pepper were a crime, then a police officer interrogating a witness is unlikely to ask, “OK, so where is the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?” He’d re-phrase the question. However, typed, it presents no problem at all. The same can apply, although less often perhaps, in reverse.
Sure, you can say chic-est. However, with the best will in the world, it looks weird written down. Is it a typo for choicest? (and the meaning is similar enough to mean context won't help). Is it is typo for something else? Why isn't it spelt chiquest? (maybe it can be?) I would say it's best avoided in written text, and so I’d go for “most chic”, or, as someone else said, an alternative word entirely.
This wouldn't help in reported speech, of course, but in that situation, I might decide on "chic-est". ( Actually, chic is a word I detest; I cannot imagine anybody saying anything worth reporting that would include the word "chic", but I digress.)
The point is, some things just look wrong written down - chicest is one. So avoid it, the alternative is there - most chic. Use that instead!!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone who responded. However, it was Charlie's analysis that addressed the concerns I had and helped me make a choice. What a pity one can't split the points in Kudoz!"
+7
2 mins
Edith Kelly
Switzerland
Switzerland
Native in English
&
English
Switzerland
Professional conference interpreter
Native in: German 
, English
Works in: German to English, English to German, Dutch to German, and 4 more.
chicest
Though it might look a bit weird, it's correct.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Kim Metzger
: The OED and Concise Oxford agree.
8 mins
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Thanks, it not what sounds better but what's correct.
|
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| agree |
Fuad Yahya
19 mins
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Thanks.
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| agree |
Cilian O'Tuama
: sounds the naturalest to my ear
32 mins
|
| agree |
Rajan Chopra
39 mins
|
| agree |
Francesca Siotto
1 hr
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| agree |
Vicky Papaprodromou
1 hr
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| agree |
Jonathan MacKerron
: see my Dickens quote below
3 hrs
|
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Love it. Thanks.
|
3 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
chicest
Normally, -er and -est is the suffix for the superlative of a one-syllable word. My Concise Oxford recommends this spelling.
+1
6 mins
chicest
the word "chic" is coming from a Frecnh word (chique). It has been imported into the English language and it's superlative despite defying all spelling rules is indeed chicest (pronounced tchikest)
10 mins
Alexander Demyanov
Software Engineering background
Native in: Russian
Works in: English, Russian, Russian to English, and 1 more.
same difference
"chic" is not a very "superlativable" word
However, people do venture to make superlatives out of it, in many cases jokingly.
They use both "chicest" and "most chic".
However, people do venture to make superlatives out of it, in many cases jokingly.
They use both "chicest" and "most chic".
+6
1 min
most chic
-
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Note added at 2 mins (2004-03-10 16:11:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
google will always turn up matches
the question is which results in the most matches\"?
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Note added at 5 mins (2004-03-10 16:15:16 GMT)
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also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2004-03-10 16:16:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2004-03-10 16:17:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Merriam-Webster Dictionary \"The word you\'ve entered isn\'t in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search box to the right.\"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dicti...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2004-03-10 16:21:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2004-03-10 16:22:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 mins (2004-03-10 16:11:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
google will always turn up matches
the question is which results in the most matches\"?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2004-03-10 16:15:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2004-03-10 16:16:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2004-03-10 16:17:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Merriam-Webster Dictionary \"The word you\'ve entered isn\'t in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search box to the right.\"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dicti...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2004-03-10 16:21:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2004-03-10 16:22:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
also, when looking at google matches, always check the reference to see if it comes from a foreign website. For example, if it has a de, jp, cz at the end, it comes from Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia. Their English is \"translated\". These website references are counted in the total number.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Armorel Young
: despite the arguments, which are theoretically correct, in favour of chicest, I nevertheless feel much happier with most chic
10 mins
|
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sigh of relief, that's precisely how I feel
|
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| neutral |
Kim Metzger
: Hi Rita. I'd say a style manual or dictionary would be more useful as a reference than Google in this case.
12 mins
|
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Hi Kim - please refer to Merriam -Webster quoted above
|
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| agree |
Aisha Maniar
: Yes, while chicest may well be used, I definitely think "most chic" sounds better
17 mins
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thanks Aisha :-)
|
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| agree |
Vicky Papaprodromou
1 hr
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thanks Vickky:-)
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| agree |
Alexandra Tussing
8 hrs
|
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thanks Alexandra:-)
|
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| agree |
Charlie Bavington
: I would use this in writing
9 hrs
|
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merci bien :-)
|
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| agree |
IanW (X)
: WIth Armorel, Aisha etc.
13 hrs
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Ian is back! :-)
|
+2
33 mins
the most elegant, the most sophisticated, le plus chic
As to "the chicest" being correct or not, it is correct.
But since you are working from Spanish into English, you may have "chicer" alternatives, like "the most elegant," "the most sophisticated," or "the most stylish" (depending on how you read the intended shade of meaning).
If you feel you want to impart a French flavor to the text, following the Spanish, I would consider using "le plus chic" if the nature of the text allows that kind of liberty.
Just some possible alternatives.
But "chicest" is correct.
But since you are working from Spanish into English, you may have "chicer" alternatives, like "the most elegant," "the most sophisticated," or "the most stylish" (depending on how you read the intended shade of meaning).
If you feel you want to impart a French flavor to the text, following the Spanish, I would consider using "le plus chic" if the nature of the text allows that kind of liberty.
Just some possible alternatives.
But "chicest" is correct.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Rajan Chopra
8 mins
|
| neutral |
pidzej
: assuming the superlative is to be based on English rules, chiccest could theoretically be the correct spelling, a single-syllable word ending in a single consonant following a short vowel should have that consonant doubled, shouldn't it?
2 hrs
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The question the asker is posing is not "should it or shouldn't it," but rather "is it or isn't it." English "rules" are based more on established forms than on mechanical stencils. "Chicest" happens to be the established superlative form of "chic."
|
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| agree |
Kim Metzger
: Nice alternatives. To pidzej: doubling the consonant is typical, but there are always exceptions. This is one of them.
3 hrs
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1 hr
Jonathan MacKerron
Native in English
&
English
Retired as of Jan 2019!
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
in support of Edith
Dickens said "»Mrs. Hominy, sir, is the lady of Major Hominy, one of our chicest spirits; and belongs Toe one of our most aristocratic families. You air, p'raps, acquainted, sir, with Mrs. Hominy's writings.«
[Dickens: The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, P. 667. Digitale Bibliothek Sonderband: The Digital Library of English and American Literature, P. 33568 (cf. Dickens-Works vol. 6, P. 446)]
[Dickens: The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, P. 667. Digitale Bibliothek Sonderband: The Digital Library of English and American Literature, P. 33568 (cf. Dickens-Works vol. 6, P. 446)]
-1
1 hr
The most chic
There is no such term as "chicest"!!
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Note added at 1 hr 49 mins (2004-03-10 17:59:16 GMT)
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Those who have mastered the english language KNOW that there are two branches of it : the grammatical (which is the unchangeable, correct version) of any language. And, the spoken (which includes words that are ACCEPTED in every day speech, but not necessarily grammatically correct. The DICTIONARY holds grammatically correct words. If a word isn\'t there, then it isn\'t grammatically accurate.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 49 mins (2004-03-10 17:59:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Those who have mastered the english language KNOW that there are two branches of it : the grammatical (which is the unchangeable, correct version) of any language. And, the spoken (which includes words that are ACCEPTED in every day speech, but not necessarily grammatically correct. The DICTIONARY holds grammatically correct words. If a word isn\'t there, then it isn\'t grammatically accurate.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Jonathan MacKerron
: despite the nearly 8000 googles for "chicest"?; since when are all words in dictionaries?
12 mins
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Forget "googles"! Try looking up "chicest" in any english dictionary
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| neutral |
Kim Metzger
: See above. That's how it's spelled in the Concise Oxford and the OED. Added: Dear Stephen: chicest.
1 hr
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spelled how : "chicest" or "most chic"??
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| disagree |
EKM
: Languages evolve. Dictionaries are static representations of a language, at times very useful, but all words in a dic. are not gram. correct. Many accepted words are based on Freudian slips and misunderstandings/misspellings. Still, they make the dict.
9 hrs
|
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