My logic goes like this: if something is horrific, it is filled with horror and leads to a horrifying experience. Yet if something is terrific, is it terrifying or filled with terror? Or does it mean fabulous, as we commonly intend.
The answer, because I know you have lost sleep over this, is yes and no. I looked up the origin of the word terrific. Turns out, in the 1600's terrific meant "full of terror". Somewhere in the early 1800's, the meaning morphed from "full of terror" to just "very great or severe". Finally around 1889 we colloquialized the word to mean "excellent", adding the positive connotation.
As a crusader to improve consistency of usage of the English language, I would offer suggestions for how to properly use the word terrific, regardless of the time period in which you live, and especially as it applies to running situations.
Correct usage 1677:
If someone asks, "how was your run?" And you respond, "terrific! I ran 3 sets of 20 400's at mile pace."
That is correct, because that workout is truly terrifying.
Correct usage1809:
"How was your run?"
"Terrific! I puked my guts out."
Correct use of terrific, because it is must have been very severe to make you puke, and it is terrifying for me to imagine exactly what happened. Also, TMI.
Correct modern usage:
"How was your run?"
"Terrific! I felt great and hit all my paces. I'm ready to PR."
It is correct because terrific, here, means really excellent. It is also correct original usage if I am trying to inspire terror into an opponent, like when I am talking to my brother in law and he knows I will beat his time. He will recognize both meanings of terrific.
Now go amaze your friends with your new wonderful grasp of the English language. And never again wonder if the things you think about while you run are weird. It just might make you smarter.
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