Do Americans use the suffix "ish" to indicate vagueness?
Hi. Do Americans use the suffix "ish" to indicate vagueness? If yes, how often do they use it (often, rarely)?

Some examples:

Let's meet at two-ish (three-ish, four-ish, etc).
I thought it was yellow-ish.
It is a moreish mix of coffee, rum and cream.

Thanks.

Question

Do Americans use the suffix "ish" to indicate vagueness?
Hi. Do Americans use the suffix "ish" to indicate vagueness? If yes, how often do they use it (often, rarely)?

Some examples:

Let's meet at two-ish (three-ish, four-ish, etc). 
I thought it was yellow-ish.
It is a moreish mix of coffee, rum and cream.

Thanks.

Answer

This is a feature of the informal language of all English-speaking countries - not only the USA. It's very common in British English. 'Shortish' is a bit short, but not very short. 'Nice-ish' means fairly nice. 'Cheapish' means relatively cheap, and so on.

'Let's meet at two-ish' means 'around two o'clock.'

'Yellowish' means 'a bit yellow' e.g. a 'yellowish green' is a green which tends towards yellow.

NB 'Moreish' is not an expression of vagueness. It's an informal, invented word for something that if you taste it once you'll want some more, but it is not the same as the other examples. It uses the suffix 'ish', but it has nothing to do with being vague.

Answer

This type of usage is more in the way of slang. It is quite common, but not formal.

Answer

I'm American & I hardly ever say "2ish" ;"Yellowish", maybe, sometimes; "Moreish": never heard of it. Is it English?? ;)

Answer

Thanks for your comment, Gary!

Answer

We certainly do here in New Zealand

Verpassen Sie nicht die Gelegenheit, bequem von zu Hause aus eine Sprache zu lernen. Stöbern Sie in unserer Auswahl an erfahrenen Sprachlehrern und melden Sie sich jetzt zu Ihrer ersten Unterrichtsstunde an!