Passingly: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'passingly' comes from the verb 'pass', which means to go by or through something.
• It's formed by adding the suffix '-ly', which is used to turn adjectives into adverbs, indicating how an action is done.
• In early uses from the 14th century, it suggested something fleeting or temporary.

Literature

• Authors often use the term to describe events or details that are not central to the story but contribute to the atmosphere.
• It appears in poetry to convey fleeting feelings, enhancing the emotional depth without overwhelming the main theme.
• The word is frequently employed in narratives to create a sense of speed or ephemerality.

Communication

• In conversations, mentioning something passingly can indicate that the speaker does not consider it important or significant.
• It may lead to misunderstandings if listeners focus too heavily on what was said briefly.
• The use of 'passingly' allows speakers to convey ideas without delving into details, saving time in dialogue.

Psychology

• Passively processing passingly mentioned information can lead to recall challenges later, as the brain may not prioritize it.
• Research shows that people often overlook 'passingly' mentioned facts during discussions, affecting memory and comprehension.
• It reflects how human attention works; we might notice quick details but rarely retain them.

Cultural References

• In pop culture, characters might mention things passingly to indicate their disinterest or to move on quickly to another topic.
• Songs and films often reflect themes of transient moments, echoing the idea of recognizing something only in passing.
• The phrase 'in passing' is commonly used in social interactions to keep conversations light and breezy.