Joesph's little sister adores him so much that she follows him wherever he goes.

[angliholic]

Joesph's little sister adores him so much that she follows him wherever he goes.


Does the above indicate that Joseph is his sister's idol/icon? Thanks.

 

[baqarah131]

A few thoughts about this. Watch the spelling of "Joseph."

"Adores" is the right word here, but in my part of the world it wouldn't be used in casual conversation. It strikes me as rather formal.

"Idol" looks okay to me.

"Icon" doesn't work in this context. An icon used to be a religious symbol, specifically Russian, but lately the word has become very common, meaning a generally recognized symbol. For example, our CN Tower is often referred to as a "Toronto icon." I heard someone referred to as a "pop music icon." It's possible this usage isn't really new, but I'm hearing it continually now. I've also heard the adjective "iconic."

We have an idiom that would apply to Joseph's sister: "She worships the ground he walks on."

But this is used so much that it has become a cliche, and it's a good idea to avoid cliches.

regards
edward

Joesph's little sister adores him so much that she follows him wherever he goes.


Does the above indicate that Joseph is his sister's idol/icon? Thanks.

 

[angliholic]

A few thoughts about this. Watch the spelling of "Joseph."

"Adores" is the right word here, but in my part of the world it wouldn't be used in casual conversation. It strikes me as rather formal.

"Idol" looks okay to me.

"Icon" doesn't work in this context. An icon used to be a religious symbol, specifically Russian, but lately the word has become very common, meaning a generally recognized symbol. For example, our CN Tower is often referred to as a "Toronto icon." I heard someone referred to as a "pop music icon." It's possible this usage isn't really new, but I'm hearing it continually now. I've also heard the adjective "iconic."

We have an idiom that would apply to Joseph's sister: "She worships the ground he walks on."

But this is used so much that it has become a cliche, and it's a good idea to avoid cliches.

regards
edward

Thanks, Edward.
I've run across something like "It strikes me as rather formal" a few times, but I'm still not 100% sure of its meaning. Does it amount to "It seems/appears very formal to me?"

 

[baqarah131]

Good question. I had to think about this before replying!

I'd paraphrase this expression as...

"When I stop to think about it, this is how it seems to me."

"Strikes me" means that it's my personal opinion. Appears/seems are very similar in meaning, but less personal.

It strikes me that "seems" is more common that "appears."

regards
edward

Thanks, Edward.
I've run across something like "It strikes me as rather formal" a few times, but I'm still not 100% sure of its meaning. Does it amount to "It seems/appears very formal to me?"

 

[angliholic]

Thanks, Edward.
But I don't quite get it.
To make sure, does "it strikes me as quite formal" mean "When I stop to think about it, it seems very formal to me?"

 

[baqarah131]

Exactly.
edward

Thanks, Edward.
But I don't quite get it.
To make sure, does "it strikes me as quite formal" mean "When I stop to think about it, it seems very formal to me?"

 

[angliholic]

Exactly.
edward

Thanks, Edward.