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lightweight

English translation: No downside to a literal usage, as best I can see.


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15:30 Apr 30, 2003
English to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
English term or phrase: lightweight
A question for my fellow English native speakers. I've always avoided the word "lightweight", as to me it is always negative, meaning "inconsequential" - a "lightweight author" etc. However, is it OK to use the word as a positive adjective in a more practical context, such as "lightweight design", or would there be negative connotations? Or is it just me? I'd be interested in any opinions.
xxxIanW
Local time: 10:48
English translation:No downside to a literal usage, as best I can see.
Explanation:
The negative implications of the term comes from it's use in a metaphorical sense : the author is not, literally, "lightweight", obviously.
But if you use "light" in its literal sense of "Of little weight, not ponderous. The opposite of heavy", there is no *necessarily* negative connotation --unless being (literally) "light" is, in and of itself, a disadvantage in the specific context.
As in : "Lightly armed troops were simply not sufficient to overcome the enemy's armor", for example.
In such a case the negative connotation arises from the inherent condition of things themselves, not from the term used, which is simply an accurate description of reality.

Then there's "light in the loafers", which is an whole nother Ball of Wax.
Selected response from:

Christopher Crockett
Local time: 04:48
Grading comment
Thanks to all for your input on this. I think that it is safe to say that there is no cut-and-dried answer, as opinions vary widely across the board, and that it is advisable to be careful when using it. It was very difficult to decide who to award the points to (bad puns were marked down!), but I liked Christopher's take: "In such a case the negative connotation arises from the inherent condition of things themselves, not from the term used, which is simply an accurate description of reality."

Thanks! Ian
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +3Connotations ( negative, positive, or neutral) are context-dependent.Fuad Yahya
5 +3No downside to a literal usage, as best I can see.
Christopher Crockett
4 +3can be positive
Armorel Young
5 +2most definitely a negative connotation
Dan Brennan
3 +3lightweight
jerrie
5Merriam-Webster says....
jccantrell
5lightweight
Marian Greenfield
4simple
Marion Burns
4lightweight design has still a negative connotation IMO
SwissTell


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
lightweight


Explanation:
is definitely positive for laptop computers, cameras etc.

Koskin LightWeight Laptop/Notebook Carrying Case/Bag
Home > Accessories > Koskin LightWeight Laptop/Notebook Carrying
Case/Bag Description: This is a multi-pocketed laptop carrying ...
www.mcgail.com/kolilacaca.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages

Intel Centrino and AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz
... Alt TextAlt Text. March 12, 2003 Intel Centrino and AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight
Laptop Blitz By Eric Grevstad. Everybody Get Unplugged. Desktops? ...
www.cpuplanet.com/features/article.php/2108671 - 16k - Cached - Similar pages

Intel Centrino and AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz
... Alt TextAlt Text. March 12, 2003 Intel Centrino and AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight
Laptop Blitz By Eric Grevstad. Power-Saving Strategies and New Notebooks. ...
www.cpuplanet.com/features/article.php/30231_2108671_3 - 17k - Cached - Similar pages
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Story: Bag yourself a bargain on a lightweight laptop - ZDNet
... Bag yourself a bargain on a lightweight laptop. Janice Chen, Editor in Chief, CNET/ZDNet
Reviews and Computer Shopper Thursday, October 11, 2001, Talk back! ...
www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/ story/0,10738,2817251,00.html - 46k - Apr 28, 2003 - Cached - Similar pages

Intel Centrino, AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz
... Intel Centrino, AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz March
12, 2003 By Eric Grevstad. Everybody Get Unplugged. This article ...
hardware.earthweb.com/chips/article.php/2108711 - 33k - Apr 28, 2003 - Cached - Similar pages

Intel Centrino, AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz
... Intel Centrino, AMD Athlon XP-M Spark Lightweight Laptop Blitz March 12,
2003 By Eric Grevstad. Power-Saving Strategies and New Notebooks. ...
hardware.earthweb.com/chips/ article.php/11055_2108711_3 - 34k - Apr 29, 2003 - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from hardware.earthweb.com ]

Gateway heats up lightweight laptop competition | CNET News.com
Gateway heats up lightweight laptop competition | The PC maker unveils its ultra-portable
notebook, achieving parity with Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, IBM ...
news.com.com/2100-1040-240565.html - 27k - Cached - Similar pages

Product info for Apple Lightweight Laptop
Apple Lightweight Laptop. Price: $1,764.00. Product #: QAPPLELIGHTLAP. ...
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Product info for Dell Lightweight Laptop
Dell Lightweight Laptop. Price: $2,135.00. Product #: QDLIGHTLAP. ...
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Great Lightweight Laptop with DVD/CDRW & Wi-Fi
... 11 Mar 04:08 email this posting to a friend. Great Lightweight Laptop
with DVD/CDRW & Wi-Fi - $995. Reply to: anon-9033682@craigslist ...


Marian Greenfield
Local time: 04:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
lightweight


Explanation:
I think it sounds the most negative when referring to a person (amateur etc).

When referring to an object it seems to take on more of its literal meaning...airy, refreshing, not too complicated etc

In the case of a design it summons up (to me anyway), something quite simple, clean-cut....

Probably not much help!
;-)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-30 16:14:56 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

on the downside... the word \'flimsy\' just sprang to mind :- (


Could you not use the word simple instead?!

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger
36 mins
agree  Sarah Ponting
49 mins
agree  DGK T-I
1 hr
  -> Thanks
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
most definitely a negative connotation


Explanation:
the only time when such a connotation can be avoided these day, is when lightweight applies very obviously to the weight and where being light is an obvious advantage -
eg. a lightweight briefcase, laptop...

Dan Brennan
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Refugio: I agree. A lightweight object might be ok, but the expression lightweight design could be ambiguous.
6 hrs
agree  writeaway
8 hrs
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
lightweight design has still a negative connotation IMO


Explanation:
and to turn the example in a positive way, one would have to go with "an airy design" or some such thing. I would use lightweight only in connection with depicting the weight of a material such as alu and work my way around anything else, or of course when I mean to be derogative.
You asked for opinions. Here you have one - although merely from a "lightweight native"

SwissTell
Local time: 04:48
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Merriam-Webster says....


Explanation:
Lightweight:
1 : one of less than average weight; specifically : a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 135 pounds for professionals and 132 pounds for amateurs -- compare FEATHERWEIGHT, WELTERWEIGHT
2 : one of little consequence or ability <shows up its author as a lightweight -- C. J. Rolo>

As the FIRST definition has to do with the technical definition, I see nothing wrong with it in the technical sense you mention. However, it IS open to interpretation that will still have the negative overtones.

The new Mercedes, at 2700 pounds, is the lightweight of the group.

Then, depending on the rest of the review, it could prove to be a double meaning, say, if its powerplant were the smallest and it was the slowest ....

jccantrell
Local time: 01:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
No downside to a literal usage, as best I can see.


Explanation:
The negative implications of the term comes from it's use in a metaphorical sense : the author is not, literally, "lightweight", obviously.
But if you use "light" in its literal sense of "Of little weight, not ponderous. The opposite of heavy", there is no *necessarily* negative connotation --unless being (literally) "light" is, in and of itself, a disadvantage in the specific context.
As in : "Lightly armed troops were simply not sufficient to overcome the enemy's armor", for example.
In such a case the negative connotation arises from the inherent condition of things themselves, not from the term used, which is simply an accurate description of reality.

Then there's "light in the loafers", which is an whole nother Ball of Wax.

Christopher Crockett
Local time: 04:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11
Grading comment
Thanks to all for your input on this. I think that it is safe to say that there is no cut-and-dried answer, as opinions vary widely across the board, and that it is advisable to be careful when using it. It was very difficult to decide who to award the points to (bad puns were marked down!), but I liked Christopher's take: "In such a case the negative connotation arises from the inherent condition of things themselves, not from the term used, which is simply an accurate description of reality."

Thanks! Ian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger
30 mins
  -> Thanks for seeing the Light, Kim.
agree  Sarah Ponting
43 mins
  -> Thanks for seeing the Light, Sarah.
agree  DGK T-I
1 hr
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36 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
can be positive


Explanation:
It's perfectly possible for the word to have positive implications - particularly if you're talking about travelling, camping and that sort of thing - a lightweight tent, a lightweight jacket.

I do ask myself when one would use "lightweight" rather than just "light", because one would probably refer to a light jacket,, a light suitcase rather than a lightweight one. But I think you'll find that catalogues and manufactures would use lightweight to describe something like a tent or a sleeping bag, and there are other circumstances when one might need to emphasise that it is the weight of the article (rather than, for example, its colour) that is light.

Armorel Young
Local time: 09:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: So a lightweight design could be seen in a positive light?
6 mins
agree  Christopher Crockett: Absolutely, Kim. Enlightening as well.
26 mins
agree  DGK T-I
1 hr
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Connotations ( negative, positive, or neutral) are context-dependent.


Explanation:
A lightweight author is one of little consequence, but a lightweight shirt is one that is positively suitable for warm days.

You did not explain what you meant by "lightweight design." If you are referring to a design that would result in making the object lighter to carry, then the expression is perfect, and quite positive. If you meant something else, then perhaps you can add some explanation.

The American Heritage Dictionary gives three meanings for the adjective "lightweight":

1. Weighing relatively little; not heavy. Examples: lightweight clothing; a lightweight wood.

2. (In sports) Of, relating to, or characteristic of a lightweight. Example: the lightweight title.

3. Having no significance or influence. Example: a lightweight intellect.


Fuad Yahya
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  DGK T-I
34 mins
agree  Knara Law
16 hrs
agree  AhmedAMS
207 days
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
simple


Explanation:
I had to WEIGH IN on the lightweight controversy. Here's my (hopefully) mre than lightweight opinion.

For me lightweight generally has negative connocations, except, as noted by others, when referring to weight.

For a design, lightweight WOULD sound negative. How about: simple, uncomplicated, lighthearted, cheerful (depending on the context).




Marion Burns
Local time: 04:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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Changes made by editors
Jan 23, 2006 - Changes made by Fuad Yahya:
LevelNon-PRO => PRO
Jan 23, 2006 - Changes made by Fuad Yahya:
FieldOther => Art/Literary
Field (specific)General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters => Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
Field (write-in)General => (none)


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