Suffix for opposite of -genic (photogenic)

January 16, 2009 8:43 AM

There's a suffix that's the opposite of "-genic" (as in "photogenic"). What is it?

I read it somewhere, I know I did, but I can't find it anywhere, despite my strong google-fu.

Usage: "I say, old man, you're looking photo(mumble) today"

posted by lrivers to writing & language (21 comments total)

Depending on context, of course, I thought it was "-phobic".
posted by Gular at 8:54 AM on January 16

Definitely not "-phobic" here--photophobic means sensitive to light.

My clunky answer would be "-preventive," (as an opposite of "-genic"--causing/generating) but I'm sure that's not what you're looking for.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:04 AM on January 16

I don't think there is one for *genic, you would just add un to it, unphotogenic.
posted by zeoslap at 9:06 AM on January 16

-genic refers to creation, so how about -clastic, referring to destruction.
posted by mr_roboto at 9:07 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]

The OED thinks -genic is really a new use from the original meaning, which was "causing" or "giving rise to" (eg: "carcinogenic" = "causing cancer") although obviously we don't mean to say a photogenic person "causes light." And that first meaning seems to come from the idea of "genes", and the idea that something is "natural" (so this is a closer fit, we still have the expression "Hey, you're a natural!")

So I suppose a literal antonym might be a suffix that either means "stopping" / "not conducive to" or one that means "artificial" / "unnatural", although that's not exactly opposite (the meaning would change from "You naturally look nice in photos" to "You, through artifice and trickery, look nice in photos.")
posted by so_necessary at 9:08 AM on January 16

I don't know what term you're looking for, but I'd offer photomispilotic. The "mispilotic" part would mean "bad hair".
posted by alms at 9:09 AM on January 16 [6 favorites]

Yes, photoclastic sounds pretty good, I suppose it could mean "Hey, you ruined (/destroyed) that photo" as an opposite to "Hey, you really made that photo."
posted by so_necessary at 9:11 AM on January 16

"Unphotogenic" gets the job done.

"Photoresistant" is more stylish - but less exact.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:13 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]

How about allergenic. I say, old man, you look pretty photoallergenic today.
posted by cashman at 9:22 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]

I'd just stick with the mumble. Or a well-timed cough.

I say, old man, you're looking rather photo *hak kaff* today."
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:36 AM on January 16

-nemic?
posted by Artw at 10:48 AM on January 16

It doesn't really mean this but I think that 'phototoxic' would convey the opposite of 'photogenic'.
posted by sciencegeek at 12:01 PM on January 16

-antagonistic?
posted by K.P. at 12:17 PM on January 16

-averse
posted by pseudostrabismus at 12:32 PM on January 16

No, I'm pretty sure there isn't such a suffix. And not to be a wet blanket or anything, but you people who are making things up and/or cracking jokes are Not Answering the Question.

Note: Ask MetaFilter is as useful as you make it. Please limit comments to answers or help in finding an answer. Wisecracks don't help people find answers. Thanks.
posted by languagehat at 1:10 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]

I'd probably go with non-photogenic.

It's not terribly slick, but it gets the job done and is probably correct usage.
posted by Afroblanco at 3:51 PM on January 16

anti-
posted by Artw at 3:58 PM on January 16

You could scan these.
posted by WCityMike at 4:34 PM on January 16

Also, if -genic was being treated as others have pointed out — the original definition meaning "creating" (i.e. carcinogenic) — then I think -cidal would be the antonym suffix for it. Virogenic versus virucidal, etc.

Also, related query on another website.
posted by WCityMike at 4:41 PM on January 16

photicidal.

photocide.

I love this.
posted by Afroblanco at 10:03 PM on January 16

Like I said I’m pretty sure I read it somewhere (dialog in a book, maybe). Some genius is going to stumble across this and we’ll all be humbled.
posted by lrivers at 9:45 AM on January 23