Dictionnaire ... Anglais ... Confusion

Learning foreign languages can be a confusing exercise. 

I have always struggled with french, particularly the use of feminine and masculine words.

However, looking in my own back yard, I can see things from a non-english speaking person's perspective.

Here are some real posers for folk learning english as a second language.

Loosen is an antonym for fasten; However unfasten is a synonym for unloosen!
Dispensible is an antonym for indispensible; However, valuable is a synonym for invaluable.
 
Warning: the following words are self contradicting, and should never be allowed to roam free amongst the english speaking masses.

Unshelled:
Here's a context for this word;  "The peanuts were unshelled.", which could mean "The peanuts had not been removed from their shells." or "The peanuts were removed from their shells."

Awesome:
The original definition of this adjective was "fearsome or mighty"; but the now commonly accepted slang can be used to describe  "enjoyable or fun."

Awful:
As with awesome above, this can mean "inspiring" or more commonly "revolting or terrible". 


Handicap:
This word can mean "an advantage" (e.g. a handicap in golf); or it can be a disadvantage (e.g. a disability).


My brain hurts!

Maybe I should try spanish ... one of these days.

Anyhow, Dunedin is enjoying an awesome summer and the New Zealand team were awe inspiring at the rugby sevens in Wellington.