2nd question

Posted by R. Berg on June 14, 2003

In Reply to: 2 small questions posted by James Briggs on June 14, 2003

: : Hi,
: : 1.When we describe someone who is unable to see with eyes, we say he/she is blind/sightless/visionless. But which one is offensive or too strong? or is there any other ways of saying it politely?
: : And is "bookworm" a strong word?

: : 2.Here comes a passage:
: : Unlike his father, Prince Charles, who had trouble fitting in at school, British Prince William has been popular with classmates.
: : My qustion is what does "fit in" mean? Why did Prince Charles had trouble fitting in at school?

: : Thanks!

: 1, Visionless implies that the person lacks foresight, ambition, etc. For me 'blind' is the best word.
: 1a. Bookworm is an acceptable word, not derogatory nor complimentary, merely descriptive of an avid reader. To me, however, reading for pleasure is a rather passive excercise but seems to have the accolade of 'scholarship'. If you spend a lot of time playing computer games, this can bring on criticism. Both are passive. Perhaps standards will change as time goe by?
: 2 Yes!

2. To fit in is to act as other members of one's group act. A person who doesn't fit in might be called an eccentric, a nonconformist, an outsider. Apparently Prince Charles wasn't fully accepted by the other students in his schools.