- Broadening of the word “ate”, a paste tense verb traditionally used for consuming foods, into the consumption of anything including the intangible.
Ate
verb; other word formation type Widening
when someone tries to say a word but jumbles the sounds as they talk
Etymology : Eat - Old English etan (class V strong verb; past tense æt, past participle eten) "to eat, devour, consume," (Online Etymology Dictionary)
Source : Heard in rice student conversation, October, 2013 Girl 1: “He was so atrowkddswed!” Girl 2: “What?” Girl 1: “Oh sorry, I totally just ate my words. He was awkward.”
Last modified: 25 November 2013