On December 8, 1941, during a pivotal moment in World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech to Congress and the nation after the Pearl Harbor attack, describing the previous day as “a date which will live in infamy.” Those words were crafted strategically and chosen for the specific definition and weight they would bring to the president’s address, which became known as the “Day of Infamy” speech. “Infamy” refers to a reputation tarnished by shameful or criminal actions; the term relates to “infamous,” which means “having a reputation of the worst kind.”
Here we have the answer to a common conundrum: What’s the difference between “famous” and “infamous”? Imagine how the impact of Roosevelt’s speech would have been curtailed had he used the phrasing “a date which will live in fame.” It carries significantly less punch than the original line, because “fame” and “famous” generally have positive connotations.
“Famous” describes someone or something widely known, popular, or honored for achievements — your favorite celebrity, a blockbuster film, and a celebrated event are all famous. The adjective is typically used to reference people or things in a positive light. “Infamous,” like “infamy,” describes something or someone that is notoriously bad or criminal. The Joker, Darth Vader, and Hannibal Lecter are infamous for their villainy, not their acclaim. A morally ambiguous, yet charismatic character could also be infamous — Marvel’s Loki is a perfect example with his cunning tricks and flair for betrayal.
Both “famous” and “infamous” derive from the Latin word fama, meaning “fame,” but the similarities end there. The confusion often arises with the letters “in.” With words that have a Latin root, sometimes the prefix “in-” means “into” or “toward.” That creates an intensifying effect, as with the words “inflame” and “induce.” Other times, the Latin prefix “in-” means “not,” such as with “inactive,” “incapable,” and “indefinite.” Usually, if a word is negated with the prefix “in-,” the opposite is created: “Inactive” is the opposite of “active.”
That’s not the case with “famous” and “infamous,” however. An infamous person is famous, but with the limited definition of having a bad reputation. The next time you’re tempted to use “infamous” to describe a renowned celebrity, remember to drop the “in-” — the devil is in the details.
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