Ellen's English #4 - Famous/Infamous

Some people just don't seem to know the difference...

The lady who's celebrity-based rant videos inspired me to cover this topic:

Thanks for watching!

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Music by Kevin MacLeod

[Realunmaker]

You spent more time debating moral and philosophical perspectives of fame than the actual words.

Anyways thanks, the words are pretty self descriptive but as you said people tend to use them wrong.

Since we're allowed to digress, came here from a "did you know gaming" video where they talk about the "infamous" konami code. What part about the most well known video game cheat code gives it bad reputation?

[icklenellierose]

Whilst famous is often used for "well-known", if you look at why people/things/places are famous it's usually for a reason that is seen as positive by society (scientific discovery, holding a position of power, being a good musician/actor, being adored by the media, being the home of something interesting/historical, etc). The mere existence of "Infamous" denotes that being famous is being known for more positive (good) reasons.
I doubt I'll ever make a video that you don't have a problem with.

[Peter-oetq]

Thank you for your videos, I have recently found your channel .
This one made me think of the Three Amigos where they get the meaning of infamous wrong.
"Infamous is when you're more than famous! This guy El Guapo is not just famous, he's IN-famous!”

[blacklightcharlie]

But what if I'm Famous that I'm Infamous? LoL

[GideonGleeful]

Lose=Not win (I will lose the game) or to have lost something (I will lose my pen). Basically it is the present tense of lost, so think about whether you would use lost if you were talking about the situation in the past tense. If you would, then lose is the correct word.
Loose=Not tight (having a loose grip on the rail).
Note: Loose can also be used like so "let loose of the situation". This is because it is also the present tense of the verb loosen, meaning "to have let go."

[Daxim]

I actually know what each of the words mean, but I just like watching these because they're amusing.

[grimy]

My first language is not English ...so this actually helps. I didn't even know that there are two words, because in my language there is only one word for famous (for whatever reason). Thanks!

[HarryBillyBobGeorge]

Really, English is one of the most inefficient and nonsensical languages ever and I don't know how it's become the most important language to the modern world

[gorrumKnight]

Actually the definition for famous from Merriam-Webster definition 1b indicates that it can be "honored for achievement." Also, definition 2 means excellent or first rate which renders your argument that she is wrong invalid. Even the list of synonyms in a thesaurus give away the typically positive connotation. You are correct that it can be used in a general sense as pointed out by definition 1a however.

[RebeccaSigsworth]

'quite' and 'quiet' get missused too often, or 'definitley' and 'defiantly'

[harleyryan]

I was un-aware of the "haters make me famous" thing many thanks for the knowledge

[Hydraclone]

Glad to see the drill didn't disturb you for this one. This is somethign I see peopel get wrong, EVERYWHERE. Especially people I know who play(ed) the game, inFamous, not knowing why, or thinking inFamous just means evil.
Keep it up. :)

[oldharlock]

Hmmm...I really start to wonder. How many subscribers do you think that Dangermouse poster got you over the years? Like seriously, every time there's at least one or two people in the comments that go :"Oh, Dangermouse, yay!" Me included!
And, although I knew the difference, I still was very well entertained. Good job, Ellen!

[jadejimenezschrodingerskitten]

I'd love to see a video on the difference between "haters" and people who just have differing views or opinions. It would make my day. Like this video did. (:

[princeword]

I was recently called unfamous. I responded and said it's called inflammatory. The person said okay and then referred me to that in another video.

WIN! ha ha

[Hellblaue]

I feel like I just watched a 3 minute lesson. I don't know how I feel about getting all this education.

[theblackhedgehog]

When did you do #3?? I found 1 & 2 in the Uploads, but didn't see 3.

[ThePolleys]

I'm clearly a victim of fat thumbs, autocorrect and a screen that's not big enough to review your comment before sending!

[cdraico]

Well that was fun. Could you tell me how to do my taxes next?

[sansoooxygen]

This video actually helps me a lot since English isn't my first language @_@