2

Jimmy Olsenish means "similar to Jimmy Olsen":

He is a nice enough boy - rather Jimmy Olsen-ish I thought.

She has an unreal figure, rather Barbie-ish in its proportions!

When you say, for instance, he is similar to Jimmy Olsen (in appearance, behaviour and character) you would say Jimmy Olsen-ish.

However, I can not understand the grammar points and meaning of the word rather here. Could you explain in detail?

|improve this question
  • I think choster answered that question (which you asked in comment) already. ell.stackexchange.com/questions/19403/…. I also suggested dictionaries for the meaning of "rather". Have you looked it up yet? – Damkerng T. Mar 20 '14 at 7:50
  • @Damkerng Just now saw your link. My answer is a duplicate. It was already answered in your link. – Man_From_India Mar 27 '14 at 7:39
2

Consider the word "childish". When we say it's a childish behavior we mean that it's a childlike behavior or the behavior is similar to a child. So in both the following sentences you are right about the meaning of Name + "-ish" construction

He is a nice enough boy - rather Jimmy Olsen-ish I thought. (Olsen-ish = Olsen like or similar to Olsen)

She has an unreal figure, rather Barbie-ish in its proportions! (Barbie like or similar to Barbie)

Here is a usage note from dictionary -

-ish

  1. (a suffix) used to form adjectives from nouns, with the sense of “belonging to” ( British; Danish; English; Spanish ); “after the manner of,” “having the characteristics of,” “like” ( babyish; girlish; mulish ); “addicted to,” “inclined or tending to” ( bookish; freakish ); “near or about” ( fiftyish; sevenish ).
  2. (a suffix) used to form adjectives from other adjectives, with the sense of “somewhat,” “rather” ( oldish; reddish; sweetish ).

Now come to the usage of "rather" in this context -

Rather - [AS SUBMODIFIER] To a certain or significant extent or degree:

Example -

  1. She’s been behaving rather strangely.
  2. He’s rather an unpleasant man.

Now I am going to write the meaning of your sentences -

He is a nice enough boy - rather Jimmy Olsen-ish I thought. = He is a nice enough boy - almost like Olsen.

She has an unreal figure, rather Barbie-ish in its proportions! = She has an unreal figure, almost like Barbie in its proportions!

Hope it helps.

|improve this answer
1

Rather has the same meaning as 'quite' or 'somewhat' in this context.

|improve this answer
  • When has the word RATHER a negative meaning? – nima Mar 20 '14 at 10:52
  • The use of the 'rather' is unrelated to the negativity of the statement. :) – MMJZ Mar 20 '14 at 21:23
-1

The following quote about rather is from WordNet:

• on the contrary; "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didnt call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"

• to some (great or small) extent; "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "Hes rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"

• more readily or willingly; "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "Id rather be in Philadelphia"; "Id sooner die than give up"

• to a degree (not used with a negative) "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"

|improve this answer
  • Please, if you're going to quote something, remember to make it clear that it's a quote and give credit to the original source. – snailboat♦ Mar 20 '14 at 13:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.