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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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"Looking forward to"
Guest
1
2014/08/24 - 10:37am
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Why does "Looking forward to"imply positive anticipation for something?

Robert
553 Posts
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2
2014/08/25 - 10:56am
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Language happens doesn't it?  Somehow 'looking daggers' doesn't mean please hand me the carving knife.

Guest
3
2014/08/25 - 2:36pm
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My guess is that it's not so much the "forward" as the "looking" that suggests positive anticipation.

Looking forward to X ...

Looking implies searching, anticipating, awaiting, longing. For example: Looking for a win by the Packers this Thursday.

Negative anticipation is usually obvious from context. For example: Looking forward to a tax bill in the mail this week.

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