Are you ruthless or just ruth?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
Rockingham, Australia
September 7, 2019 11:33pm CST
A friend is the most obliging, peace-loving person but is having trouble with one son who has now called her ‘ruthless’. For some reason, this made me think that there is no ‘ruthful’ or even ‘ruth’ in English. At this point, I thought I’d better google it and wouldn’t you know it? Both ruth and ruthful are actual words.
‘Ruth’ means, according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, ‘compassion for the misery of another’ or ‘sorrow for one’s own faults’. ‘Ruthful’ means ‘full of ruth’ or ‘full of sorrow’. So that’s my something learnt for the day.
‘Uncouth’ is another word which is quite common. ‘Couth’ is not quite so common but is an actual word. I find language and words fascinating. I don’t have a photo for ruthful or ruthless so here is a bonus kangaroo picture.
34 people like this
33 responses





@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 19
Lovely, thanks for today's educational session on the English language! I had no idea about ruth and ruthful. Those are words you just don't hear anyone saying these days. Maybe we should all start using them and make it 2019's buzzing trend words!
And I learned something new today as well...that learnt is an actual word!
1 person likes this

@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 19
@JudyEv I didn't need to look it up...you said 'learnt' was a word, so I took that as being as good as the word of God! LOL
1 person likes this

@birjudanak (14316)
• India
8 Sep 19
Sometimes in angryness people speak anything and this words are like that which i think. Sometimes here people keep saying you are not good person even make a single mistake or else.
I am addicted to see different photos of knagsroo now.

1 person likes this

@birjudanak (14316)
• India
8 Sep 19
@JudyEv wow this time baby too. Yes i not take many things on mind but let people to do what they do. Only little hurt when our own people do but its OK as part of life and Thanks for sharing kangaroo.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Sep 19
@birjudanak The little joey is having breakfast without getting out of bed! 

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@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
8 Sep 19
We have more words then we even use.

1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
8 Sep 19
In the past I wondered how you could be the opposite of ruthless and "ruth" made no sense. Thanks!
1 person likes this

@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
9 Sep 19
@JudyEv Ruthful sounds as odd as ruth!
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
8 Sep 19
I've always wanted to be Ruth but alas was just called Linda-- lol! Good point made. I didn't think they were words either!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
8 Sep 19
@JudyEv I know I learned something new for sure.
1 person likes this
@Loverabbit (3401)
• Karachi, Pakistan
8 Sep 19
Nice share....so I am ruth but not ruthful cause that will make me look like mr sorrow forever 

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@Loverabbit (3401)
• Karachi, Pakistan
9 Sep 19
@JudyEv I hadn't but when I searched for the related photos it was sth like this.....oh dear no no
1 person likes this

@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
8 Sep 19
sometimes I wonder about the process of being a parent. gratitude is sometimes missing.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
9 Sep 19
@JudyEv it feels like more of an intentional attempt to wound.
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@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Sep 19
I think Ruth is a lovely name. I was surprised to find it is just an 'ordinary' word.
@jobelbojel (36791)
• Philippines
8 Sep 19
I think I am ruth and not ruthless.
By the way, that is a nice photo!
1 person likes this

@jobelbojel (36791)
• Philippines
8 Sep 19
@JudyEv exactly, I would not understand too.
1 person likes this

@CookieMonster46 (13453)
• United States
9 Sep 19
I have heard people use Uncouth and Couth, not Ruth, but Ruthful
I love the pictures of the Kangaroo.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Sep 19
aw, sweet pic! i love watchin' critters groom 'emselves, 't times most comical.
'tis 'lways a great day when one learns new thingies. i'm 'mazed by words quite oft, tryin' to figure with some how i've been'n this earth so long 'n 'd ne'er heard 'f 'em 'fore, lol.
's fer yer friend. i reckon she's told that son "no" 'bout somethin' 'n he might be tryin' to hurt her. some young'uns 're jest like that :(
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Sep 19
@JudyEv makes me miss mr. squirrel! what a blessin' to've those right out'cher windows, hon. would so love to see all 'f yer pics 'f such!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Sep 19
There needs to be a dictionary for Aussie speak!
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