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What "does makes up to one" mean?

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wholegrain  #543149  Fri, 18 Jul 08 05:36 PM

In due time, book under arm, in trips the ruddy man with the traveling-cap, who, lightly moving to and fro, looks animatedly about him, with a yearning sort of gratulatory affinity and longing, expressive of the very soul of sociality; as much as to say, "Oh, boys, would that I were personally acquainted with each mother's son of you, since what a sweet world, to make sweet acquaintance in, is ours, my brothers; yea, and what dear, happy dogs are we all!"

And just as if he had really warbled it forth, he makes fraternally up to one lounging stranger or another, exchanging with him some pleasant remark.


Herman Melville - The Confidence Man

http://www.online-literature.com/melville/confidence-man/10

  
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CalifJim  #543155  Fri, 18 Jul 08 05:43 PM
I would judge the expression to be literary.  I don't believe it's used in modern English.

It means to approach and greet someone in a friendly way, perhaps introducing oneself and beginning to engage in conversation.

See ingratiate

CJ 

  
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Marius Hancu  #543172  Fri, 18 Jul 08 06:29 PM
Still in dictionaries:

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 make up

 intransitive verb

 3 a : to act ingratiatingly or flatteringly : curry favor <made up to his aunt for a new bicycle> b : to make love : make advances : COURT <suspected of making up to his housekeeper>

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com

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wholegrain  #543201  Fri, 18 Jul 08 07:49 PM
Why can't we use it in Modern English?

Because it's inappropriate?

Thank you.
  
CalifJim  #543204  Fri, 18 Jul 08 07:54 PM
wholegrain
Why can't we use it in Modern English?
You can use it if you want, but I, for one, would have to think twice before I understood what you were saying.  Smile

I can't think of a case where I've heard someone use that expression within the last ten years.  I doubt it's used much these days, at least where I live.  Maybe it's used more often in other localities.

CJ 

  
wholegrain  #543278  Sat, 19 Jul 08 12:21 AM
Thank you
  
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