How about a phrase? We sometimes say that something "takes on a life of its own." That means that it began in one way, but things developed into something very different or greater. For example, If a thread is started here about one subject, but the discussion goes on and on with people gradually changing the subject until the thread's topic is different than it began.

No, 'procrastinate' is very similar in meaning (put off doing something) to vacillate, but prevaricate has a totally different meaning: act or speak in an evasive way. The problem is that they can be indirectly linked, because when a person prevaricates they are often also procrastinating, but the words themselves have completely different meanings.

You know what. I always read that as an english version of the french adjective "assassin". Apart from meaning "murderer" as a noun, it's also used as "backhanded" or "devastating" or "sneackily ruthlessly scathing" when it comes to, say, a remark, a review, a comment, etc...

So "an asinine statement" always sounded like "an assassine statement", for me.

Languages. :-/

It appears to be a definition added to the OED in 2007, with various illustrative quotations, mainly from broadsheets. It's not necessarily usage I'd commend - I said it was annoying - but hopefully knowing it exists will help people interpret it when they spot it.

Jobsworth, n. A petty official who officiously refuses to be helpful when doing something, however minor, would be 'more than my job's worth'.

Blinder (n) (British, informal): an excellent performance in a game or race. "He played a blinder."

Meadow cakes!

*flings poo!

Since I haven't seen a correction and having come late to this thread, and with a touch of irony, I'd say unfortunately not.

The particular spelling you're looking for would be literally. :-P

That's my french transpiring for you. As I usually don't switch dictionaries, my english is the pure product of my memory with a bit of feelings without auto-correction.
To be clear, 'Literally' in English is 'Littéralement' in French. Thanks to you that's not a mistake I will make again/soon ;-)

I know my comment was more of a jokey nitpick, but in all fairness, I'm sure your English is a damn sight better than my French! :-)

An interesting word first seen in England in the 1600's. It's meaning then was of something in 'good condition' or 'good order'. Today it means as you say, and is only used in the contextual phrase 'out of kilter'.

Donut [fool / idiot]

You're a f*cking donut mate

Out of kilter = out of balance, not kilter on its own.

Actually I don't think I've ever seen kilter used on its own, though http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kilter defines it as good condition or working order.

Edit: ouch, ten-minute ninja'd. I should open fewer tabs at a time.

Thanks guys for the info :-)

I've found some info about this word as well.

So, better not say 'this car is in kilter' (in good condition) because I might not be understood correctly?