LANGUAGE CORNER
Notoriety
Noting With Disapproval
If "notorious," which
has nothing negative in its roots, nonetheless has come to mean
"infamous," what is "notoriety"? One dictionary's
definition — "the quality of being notorious" —
seems unassailable. So when the writer said it was "not in
Thomas's personality to court notoriety," the passage was
open to misunderstanding. (Other things made it clear that the
writer was paying a compliment.) As a synonym for simple fame,
"notoriety" has gained ground. But it's still better
used to mean a bad reputation — ill fame. Less room for misunderstanding.
