rebecca
Master Craftsman
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Post by rebecca on Dec 29, 2008 17:52:55 GMT
I always want to consult about these things. Somebody posted this blog post from the Telegraph:
"Happy Holidays." "Have a Nice Day." "You're welcome." "Do the math." "Let's visit with each other." "How are you today?" "Good luck with that." "Oh my gosh!" "Can I use your bathroom?" "Not so much."
Now, I never in my life have ever heard anybody say "let's visit with each other." And what's wrong with "you're welcome??"
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Post by nonrabbit on Dec 29, 2008 20:30:40 GMT
Absolutely nothing Rebecca The only word that slightly irks me is 'math' we say 'maths' but I'm being picky! I don't get that list - Whats British for 'Can I use your bathroom '
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Dec 30, 2008 14:59:48 GMT
Absolutely nothing Rebecca The only word that slightly irks me is 'math' we say 'maths' but I'm being picky! I don't get that list - Whats British for 'Can I use your bathroom ' You can always tell where a people diverged by where the language starts to develop differently - language fascinates me. It seems that maybe the "bathroom" thing implies that you are actually looking for a place to take a bath, rather than it being the euphemism for "toilet." We also say "rest room" in the same sense, which might be an even funnier euphemism.
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blue
Prentice Jack
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Post by blue on Jan 7, 2009 22:44:59 GMT
"Not so much." Americanism? I associate that one with non-Native English speakers, predominately Russians and Latinos.
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 8, 2009 1:47:40 GMT
Blue, Dahlink!
I hear "not so much" used in a sarcastic-understatement way, as in "I really liked the wine, but the cheese - not so much." I imagine it's the sarcasm that makes it objectionable.
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 8, 2009 2:11:31 GMT
crappy catch phrase come from crappy sitcoms...writers in LA write the way they think teens talk and teens talk they way they think people on TV talk...it's a horrible, endless cycle. The writers all live in NYC or LA so midwest teens have to talk like new york preppie rich kids ( that's who writers hear) or Valley Girls (ditto). You think teenagers in suburban indianapolis know the loose pants are cuz in prison they take your belt?
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 8, 2009 2:18:24 GMT
And there you have linguistics!
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 9, 2009 16:24:01 GMT
Rebecca, why do you always bring in sex? ( I'm taking a wild guess at the meaning of the word 'linguistics")
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quizzkid
Master Craftsman
Spin me back down the years...
Posts: 297
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Post by quizzkid on Jan 9, 2009 17:13:46 GMT
Rebecca, why do you always bring in sex? ( I'm taking a wild guess at the meaning of the word 'linguistics") Cunning, very cunning....
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 9, 2009 17:51:08 GMT
This is the great thing about having a reputation like mine: now I can just sit here, being my normal multifaceted self, and people strain themselves to try to make something out of what I said. I can rest on my laurels and let you gentlemen do the work.
P.S.: I did get an A in the class
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 10, 2009 19:59:18 GMT
ooooh,,,,your laurels!
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 10, 2009 22:39:48 GMT
Yeah, what do you mean by that, buddy?!
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 10, 2009 23:55:27 GMT
As i've admitted, this board is the alpha and omega of my online life....but maybe...maybe ...there's a Beavis and Butthead board out there that needs me....heh heh..hehhehehehehehehe
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Post by nonrabbit on Jan 11, 2009 10:07:52 GMT
My great grandfather jumped off his chair one night and decided to emigrate to Boston at the ripe old age of 65 ( he shouted to my granny that she was coming with him!) He got a job as a lift attendant in a posh department store, wore a lift attendants full uniform resplendant with shiny buttons. He also had a long white beard and that along with his Irish accent made him a bit of a character. He would bark at everyone who would come into the lift "What are yees all rushing about for yees ar all rushing to yer graves" This "rush" being the 1920's ANYWAY he only stayed for a couple of years but came back with the habit of calling sweets - candy, which annoyed the hell out of his family back home
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Post by bluehare on Jan 11, 2009 14:31:30 GMT
I'm not sure this is an Americanism or not, but one I hear too often in casual conversation is the phrase, "think about it". As if, somehow I had opened my mouth and nonsense words just started falling out all on their own, with no kind of leash supplied by my brain. Now while I know that can be the case with me sometimes , this is still a phrase used in casual conversation, not particularly after I'd bungled something important! It's an unconscious comment that does have a way of getting my back up.
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Post by tullistray on Jan 11, 2009 16:17:32 GMT
I suppose I am not particularly fond of being referred to as "boss" or "pal" the latter in particular often used in a context that denotes something other than friendliness.
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 11, 2009 16:50:43 GMT
I'm not sure this is an Americanism or not, but one I hear too often in casual conversation is the phrase, "think about it". As if, somehow I had opened my mouth and nonsense words just started falling out all on their own, with no kind of leash supplied by my brain. Now while I know that can be the case with me sometimes , this is still a phrase used in casual conversation, not particularly after I'd bungled something important! It's an unconscious comment that does have a way of getting my back up. I can see where "think about it" would be annoying, but I confess I probably do it! I guess it's just a way of emphasizing something. When I had this discussion before, it turned out an awful lot of people are seriously bugged by things like "at the end of the day" or "when it's all said and done." That's kind of funny. I think the one that bothers me most is "that begs the question..." when the person means "that raises the question..." It's getting to be part of common parlance, but the phrase has a very specific and different meaning, and it bugs me that people - especially writers, who should know better - use it in an effort to appear intellectual, when if they really were, they'd know what it meant! This is the kind of thing I can get snobby about.
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jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
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Post by jioffe on Jan 11, 2009 17:34:11 GMT
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 11, 2009 18:16:08 GMT
My great grandfather jumped off his chair one night and decided to emigrate to Boston at the ripe old age of 65 ( he shouted to my granny that she was coming with him!) He got a job as a lift attendant in a posh department store, wore a lift attendants full uniform resplendant with shiny buttons. He also had a long white beard and that along with his Irish accent made him a bit of a character. He would bark at everyone who would come into the lift "What are yees all rushing about for yees ar all rushing to yer graves" This "rush" being the 1920's ANYWAY he only stayed for a couple of years but came back with the habit of calling sweets - candy, which annoyed the hell out of his family back home We use "sweets" too, but it has a broader meaning, including cakes and (sweet) pies and cookies - which I guess you also call something else! Your great grandfather does sound fun!
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jioffe
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... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
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Post by jioffe on Jan 11, 2009 19:12:59 GMT
I'm not sure this is an Americanism or not, but one I hear too often in casual conversation is the phrase, "think about it". Not sure if it's an Americanism either but it's definitely a pretty demeaning thing to say to someone. And certainly not pigeon friendly! Actually, Americanisms like these don't bother me (leaving "Have a nice day" well to one side!) as much as corporate American re-branding and things of that ilk. We had the good old British 'chip' here for well over 100 years, then along come McDonald's and we're suddenly eating 'fries'! And each time I go to my 'favORites' folder or change 'colORs' ... Cheers, Jioffe.
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jioffe
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... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
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Post by jioffe on Jan 11, 2009 19:40:45 GMT
Yeah, what do you mean by that, buddy?! You said you 'could rest on your laurels' and he was just fantasizing about it. I mean, them! Cheers, Jioffe.
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Post by steelmonkey on Jan 12, 2009 0:01:27 GMT
I hate, hate, hate the word 'mindful' more than any word in the english language and i think 'relax' and 'calm down' are the two most agitating things a person can say. When I hear 'relax' i take it to mean 'you are an asshole' If i want to get someone to relax, i say 'wow....you're pretty relaxed...I'd be filipping out in your shoes'....it usually works.
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 12, 2009 2:22:17 GMT
Yeah, what do you mean by that, buddy?! You said you 'could rest on your laurels' and he was just fantasizing about it. I mean, them! Cheers, Jioffe. Men aren't usually all that interested in furniture though.
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rebecca
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Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 12, 2009 2:26:26 GMT
I'm not sure this is an Americanism or not, but one I hear too often in casual conversation is the phrase, "think about it". Not sure if it's an Americanism either but it's definitely a pretty demeaning thing to say to someone. And certainly not pigeon friendly! Actually, Americanisms like these don't bother me (leaving "Have a nice day" well to one side!) as much as corporate American re-branding and things of that ilk. We had the good old British 'chip' here for well over 100 years, then along come McDonald's and we're suddenly eating 'fries'! And each time I go to my 'favORites' folder or change 'colORs' ... Cheers, Jioffe. Do you know why we spell those words differently? That is your trivia quiz question for the day.
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
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Post by rebecca on Jan 12, 2009 2:50:31 GMT
Hmm, that's not a Beevis and Butthead group. What's up, buddy?
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jioffe
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... and the days of my youth!
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Post by jioffe on Jan 12, 2009 20:54:08 GMT
Hmm, that's not a Beevis and Butthead group. What's up, buddy? Not specifically, no. I took the B&B reference more generally and just thought that place was perfect for a Tull fan wanting that sort of company. Cheers, Jioffe.
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jioffe
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... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
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Post by jioffe on Jan 12, 2009 21:04:54 GMT
Not sure if it's an Americanism either but it's definitely a pretty demeaning thing to say to someone. And certainly not pigeon friendly! Actually, Americanisms like these don't bother me (leaving "Have a nice day" well to one side!) as much as corporate American re-branding and things of that ilk. We had the good old British 'chip' here for well over 100 years, then along come McDonald's and we're suddenly eating 'fries'! And each time I go to my 'favORites' folder or change 'colORs' ... Cheers, Jioffe. Do you know why we spell those words differently? That is your trivia quiz question for the day. I cheated but I should have guessed it'd have something to do with Webster. Cheers, Jioffe.
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jioffe
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... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
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Post by jioffe on Jan 12, 2009 21:23:55 GMT
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Post by bluehare on Jan 12, 2009 22:10:33 GMT
It's said so often to me that I also catch myself saying it, and then I want to smack myself! ;D "That begs the question"....that, and all sorts of tired catch phrases that are used over and over with writers. It's harder to take from them because often they know better; they're just being lazy. I don't mind so much when a word or phrase from another country finds its way into one's vocabulary. It's sort of natural anymore, what with people from all over the world communicating on forums and such. I love "knackered", for instance. What a brilliant word! However, I would never call a truck over here a lorry (that's just me...). Colloquialisms even within the country that I have avoided like spandex for years have finally gotten into my head...because of forums. I went almost 50 years without ever saying, "ya'll"! But it creeps out now and again..... But I don't like when, as you say, there is a re-branding of something that had a name people were fine with before. Why can't chips stay chips? Or....I have a friend that likes everything British so much that her whole way of speaking has changed...not just a few words. That's what made her like the way the British talked to begin with....because they said things differently than we did. I don't think I'd ever enjoy the day we all said exactly the same words about the same things. How boring that would be. I got a little off topic, sorry about that! Veering back on now.....as much as "Have a nice day" wears on one, "Have a good one" to me, tops it. Again, mainly because it's said constantly.
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rebecca
Master Craftsman
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Post by rebecca on Jan 12, 2009 23:03:24 GMT
It's said so often to me that I also catch myself saying it, and then I want to smack myself! ;D "That begs the question"....that, and all sorts of tired catch phrases that are used over and over with writers. It's harder to take from them because often they know better; they're just being lazy. I don't mind so much when a word or phrase from another country finds its way into one's vocabulary. It's sort of natural anymore, what with people from all over the world communicating on forums and such. I love "knackered", for instance. What a brilliant word! However, I would never call a truck over here a lorry (that's just me...). Colloquialisms even within the country that I have avoided like spandex for years have finally gotten into my head...because of forums. I went almost 50 years without ever saying, "ya'll"! But it creeps out now and again..... But I don't like when, as you say, there is a re-branding of something that had a name people were fine with before. Why can't chips stay chips? Or....I have a friend that likes everything British so much that her whole way of speaking has changed...not just a few words. That's what made her like the way the British talked to begin with....because they said things differently than we did. I don't think I'd ever enjoy the day we all said exactly the same words about the same things. How boring that would be. I got a little off topic, sorry about that! Veering back on now.....as much as "Have a nice day" wears on one, "Have a good one" to me, tops it. Again, mainly because it's said constantly.[/quote] That was interesting. I had to look up your question to Ian because I'd forgotten where you were from - were you raised in Bakersfield? Aside from the "y'all", the way you used "anymore" is also something I've never heard outside the south. I hope it doesn't embarrass you that I bring it up. Accents and dialects and those sorts of things just fascinate me, and taking a liguistic class answered a lot of these kinds of questions - so I'm in danger of turning into a big know-it all bore! But then maybe Bakersfield is a southern-type place, considering it's music fame!
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