Use of the word 'relishing'?

Question

Recently when talking to a friend about the lack of elevators in Asia he told me. > You should be relishing stairs As a native English speaker the use of the word 'relishing' here sounded strange to me, although I can't quite figure out why, it seemed like a very odd thing to say in spoken English. Why does it sound strange? Is there anything wrong with this construction?

Answer 1

I agree with Tom about the meaning of the word relish. However, it depends on your friend's reason for making this statement. It could have been meant as sarcasm or humor (as in, "Come on! you should love taking the stairs because it gives you a chance to exercise more.")

We don't use the word very often in conversation so that may be the reason it sounded strange but it all depends on the context and what your friend meant.

Answer 2

Your hunch is correct! Relish is more appropriately employed in reference to intense enjoyment, which certainly does not apply to stairs!