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keener
DCHP-2 (Jan 2013)
n. — informal, slightly derogatory, usually Education
an individual who is overly eager or enthusiastic.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — The term has evolved in Canadian English from the adjective meaning "eager" and shifted word classes to a noun that refers to someone who is perceived as overly enthusiastic. The term usually carries slight negative connotations. This meaning is most common in Canada (see Chart 1).
See also Gage-5, s.v. "keener", which is unmarked, OED-3, s.v. "keen" (6b & 7b) and s.v. "keener" (n.2), the latter marked as "Canad. colloq.", COD-2, which marks the term "Cdn informal".
See also Gage-5, s.v. "keener", which is unmarked, OED-3, s.v. "keen" (6b & 7b) and s.v. "keener" (n.2), the latter marked as "Canad. colloq.", COD-2, which marks the term "Cdn informal".
See: browner
Keener is a role in the Irish funeral tradition; our search (Chart 1) filtered out this unrelated meaning.
Quotations
1967
LOOKS LIKE A KEENER practicing for the Education Variety Show on March 30. This will be an annual event with prizes of $25, $15 and $10 for the top three winners.
1980
One by one, the girls proceed to stand up, take off an accessory and add what they've brought. One keener produces a jacket, a different sash, a necklace, a bracelet and some combs. "I thought we really had to do the whole thing," she says, somewhat perturbed.
1992
I understand things are done a little differently around here. Apparently, the current editor gets things done on time. (ed: Really? Are we talking about the same editor here?) What a keener.
2000
Before the class starts, the keeners start setting
up. Out come 4 different coloured pens, highlighters, notebooks, white-out in those funky iMac-esque rolls and other essential keener gear. Once class has started, the pens start flowing. Every word or bodily function that comes out of the prof is noted. Key words are written in one colour, definitions and formulas in another.
2002
Turn to keener sitting next to you. Strike up lively conversation and dominate his attention so that he misses some of what the prof said. This will unsettle the average
keener more than you know. Continue until he freaks out. Act shocked; turn to other neighbors and spread creepy rumors concerning his childhood.
2005
Here and there, you could spot keeners interested in virtually every academic department and student organization, but most high school students were oblivious to what was going on.
References
- Gage-5
- OED-3
- COD-2
Images
