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  • To hesitate when you are introducing someone whose name you can't quite remember

    November 6, 2007

  • Per this research, originally meaning “to hesitate” (cf. startle), it later acquired idiomatic contronym status in the Scottish dialect of English. “He didn’t tartle me” and “He tartled at me” both mean roughly “He didn’t recognize me”.

    April 30, 2017

  • to hesitate while introducing someone because you have forgotten their name

    May 21, 2024