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The misuse of the word 'Disgusting' I may be a bit of a stickler on some aspects of the English language. But it really upsets me when I hear people referring to an event as "disgusting". Example "I think that Brexit is disgusting". The word disgusting should only be used (in my opinion) when referring to a physical object. Example "That wine is disgusting". Am I alone in my disgust of the misuse of 'disgusting'.
27 авг. 2017 г., 7:22
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27 августа 2017 г.
11

"Disgusting" only looks like a present continuous form, but it is in fact an adjective. It's a deverbal adjective, derived from the verb "disgust", but an adjective nonetheless (cf. "boring", "interesting", etc.). You can describe something as "more disgusting", "the most disgusting", which you wouldn't be able to do with a verb. The  phrase you mention as good usage of the word, "That wine is disgusting", by your own reasoning would not be grammatically correct, since "disgust" is a transitive verb: whom is the wine disgusting? and it could only be uttered whilst imbibing said beverage, since it can hardly be actively disgusting you if it is sitting in the bottle.

But grammar aside, I agree with Guyomar that it is wholly possible for an abstract concept to cause a feeling of revulsion and, therefore, be disgusting.

27 августа 2017 г.
8

Are you alone in this view?

Evidently, yes. Completely alone.

27 августа 2017 г.
7
I disagree with you.  I more often am disgusted by behavior than I am by objects and I do not think it is wrong to use the word ¨disgusting¨ in that way. 
27 августа 2017 г.
6
I’m not disgusted by it, but I do find it a bit odd to say “Brexit is disgusting”. It’s not because it’s about an event, but that it not’s very specific. “What about Brexit is disgusting?” would probably be my response to the statement. I take it to mean “It’s disgusting that Brexit could happen”, but I suppose it could for instance also mean “The way Brexit is being carried out is disgusting”.
27 августа 2017 г.
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