Is "snuggly" a real word? I was on the warpath because a cartoon used "snugly" when I thought it should be "snuggly". I am embarrassed to say that while "snugly" is listed under "snug", there is no mention of "snuggly" under "snuggle".
I think I agree with you… But it depends on what you mean!
‘Snuggly’, the adjective, is clearly derived from ‘snuggle’, not ‘snug’. Although the latter two are related, there is enough difference that the spelling should be carried over from the former of the two. To be clear, ‘snuggly’ (at least in my book) means ‘snuggle-worthy’.
In addition, ‘snugly’ just looks ‘ugly’.
AND—I haven’t looked it up—but wouldn’t that spelling be strictly for the adverbial of snug, as in Miranda wrapped the baby doll snugly with her blanket.
Part of the problem is that "snuggle" is a verb while
"-ly" is used to form adverbs from adjectives or as a suffix meaning "every" [hourly, daily]. That doesn’t help explain my absolute conviction that "snuggly" is a word.
[quote author=Leslie_G link=board=spell;num=1070481748;start=0#2 date=12/03/03 at 18:22:25]Part of the problem is that "snuggle" is a verb while
"-ly" is used to form adverbs from adjectives or as a suffix meaning "every" [hourly, daily]. That doesn’t help explain my absolute conviction that "snuggly" is a word.
I’m convinced that this is a word too. There are other examples of -ly words as adjectives. "A goodly amount of mulled wine" would be an example that springs to mind. "The only man left standing" might be another.
In any event. My pillow is snuggly. Certainly an adjectival attribute.
Thanks for ‘cuddle’. I can see my way clear now. I made a mistake in starting with the verb ‘snuggle’, even though it has more obvious connotations of warmth, comfort and affection than the adjective ‘snug’.
‘Snug’ has "to lie closely or comfortably; nestle" in the 7th meaning, so there is a connection. The point is that it IS an adjective and ‘-ly’ can be added to form an adverb. BUT that creates ‘snug-ly’ which we don’t want because it means a comfortable fit (sometimes with feelings of satisfaction). I think the second ‘g’ was added for the purpose of making it plain that we don’t mean ‘snug-ly’. There is no other reason for the second ‘g’ to be there because the ‘gl’ will preserve the short ‘u’ sound.
So all this had brought up another question.
‘Cuddle’ has a noun form, why doesn’t ‘snuggle’?
Well, I’ve just had another look at the sites (which were just the first four usages found on a quick search engine sweep) and I notice that they’re all British/Canadian/Australian, so perhaps your discomfort is an American thing?
"Give us a cuddle" creepy?
"Give us a cuddle" is one of the nicest things anyone can say! (The singular "us" is a sign of closeness and intimacy in itself - probably a British thing again).
"Cuddle me" means sounds a bit self-centred = "I’m feeling unloved".
"Give us a cuddle" (often "Come here, give us a cuddle") means "I love you (you daft ha’porth)".
The old two nations divided by a common language syndrome again?
OK, as I sit here thinking about my last post, and Coem’s prior to that, I wonder if much of my perception of ‘cuddle’ as a noun isn’t just linguistic preference…
I found that if I substituted ‘hug’ in those examples, I didn’t have the same reaction. Yet, for me anyway, they carry the same contextual meanings. I say to my kids all the time, "Do you need a hug?" In fact, it’s cuddle time they get, sitting on my lap, or leaning next to me—getting into the comfort zone.
[quote author=Coemgenus link=board=spell;num=1070481748;start=0#9 date=12/04/03 at 19:01:43]
"Give us a cuddle" (often "Come here, give us a cuddle") means "I love you (you daft ha’porth)".
Thanks Coemgenus - haven’t heard "you daft ha’porth"
for years. My Mum (originally from Yorkshire) used it frequently. As a young child I thought it had something to do with monkeys….daft apeth!
I’m all for cuddles, especially snuggly cuddles and cuddly snuggles for that matter!
