Sunday, February 8, 2009

what's the difference between 'diabolic' and 'diabolical'?

English is quite the language. 'Diabolic' and 'diabolical' are used interchangeably daily, so why do we have two different adjectives with the same root and the same meaning? The answer is simple: they do not have the same meaning.

The definitions we will find in the dictionary for 'diabolic' are: having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked: a diabolic plot. Or: pertaining to or actuated by a devil.
The definition for 'diabolical': Of, concerning, or characteristic of the devil; satanic. Or: Appropriate to a devil, especially in degree of wickedness or cruelty.

Also, if we take a more etymological approach (consider the origin), we will look at the -al ending a bit more closely. The -al ending is a holdover from the Latin ending -alis, - meaning 'of, relating to, characterised by, pertaining to, like'. In this light, 'diabolic' has a more direct connection to the qualities or wickedness of a devil (as we see in the definition given). 'Diabolical' however, simply seeks to judges the noun as being 'devil-like'.
With this understanding, calling someone 'diabolic' is just that much worse than calling them 'diabolical'.

Let me know if you would like me to include more tips and trivia like this on the blog in the future.

1 comment:

  1. I'm surprised to see I can actually get a hit when I googled "diabolic vs diabolical". Thanks for the article, very well explained.

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