11.17.2009

AUGHT

(pronoun): Anything, all, everything; nothing, zero; (adverb) at all.

Usage: English has a peculiar way of expressing years, "nineteen (hundred) twenty-three," and so forth, omitting the "hundred." This presents a problem for the first decade of a millennium since "twenty hundred" is unacceptable and to refer to a year as simply "two" would be incomprehensible. The solution is to use the term "ought two" ('02). But if the original meaning of "aught" was "everything," how can it now mean "nothing, zero?" The etymology will explain all.

Suggested Usage: We are not suggesting that the entire English-speaking world surrender its conviction that aught means "zero," but here is how things would go if we did: "I have naught but good things to say about him since he was released back in [n]aught one ('01)." On the positive side, we may continue to say, "Has she aught to recommend her for the job?"—those of us who talked this way to begin with.
Source: YourDictionary