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I am about to "expound" a bit on an item of word use: (See details, if your curiosity has been "piqued")!

Although we are apt to use the words "jealousy" & "envy" interchangeably, they do in fact have (subtly) different meanings: When you are "jealous" of someone, it's because you perceive a threat from them, as though they may try to take something that belongs to you; therefore, you are "jealous" of women who pay a lot of attention to your bf, as this may result in a "loss" of some kind for you; or you may be "jealous" of a co-worker whom the boss seems to favor, as this may result in the "loss" of a promotion of some kind for you. "Envy" is something we feel when we perceive that someone else has something that we do not, such as a loving family, popularity, lots of "nice stuff," whatever. BTW, I didn't think this all up myself, I read it somewhere once, & it "stuck" with me, so thought I'd share, if anyone cares to "tweak" their vocab skills a tad!

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5 Answers to "I am about to "expound" a bit on an item of word use: (See details, if your curiosity has been "piqued")!"

  1. mrhandymanx - 51-55 years old - male

    Posted by mrhandymanx Dec 23rd, 2012 at 10:32AM

    I have interchanged those two words in the past ... with this I will now remember how to use em from here on out.

    Like (2)

  2. QueenIzabella - 56-60 years old

    Reply by QueenIzabella Dec 23rd, 2012 at 10:39AM

    Oh, we all do it! When you think about it, tho, "Envy" (as opposed to "jealousy") is listed as one of the "seven deadly sins,"

    Like (1)

  3. elifree - 41-45 years old - female

    Posted by elifree Dec 23rd, 2012 at 10:05AM

    Thanks....Although I am rarely jealous or envious I appreciate the distinction.

    Like (2)

  4. winstonwelles - 22-25 years old - male

    Posted by winstonwelles Dec 23rd, 2012 at 9:58AM

    Yeah, I've always thought that jealousy is the fear of losing something you have, and envy is the desire to have something someone else has.

    Like (2)

  5. QueenIzabella - 56-60 years old

    Reply by QueenIzabella Dec 23rd, 2012 at 9:59AM

    Yes! Wow, wish I could've managed to be that "succinct"!

    Like (1)

  6. Beausejour - 31-35 years old - male

    Posted by Beausejour Dec 23rd, 2012 at 9:56AM

    Thank you, you have increased my word power.

    Like (2)

  7. originnone - 46-50 years old - male

    Posted by originnone Dec 23rd, 2012 at 9:56AM

    I have been tweaked!

    Like (2)

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