The English Language
Fri, 2002-01-18 22:48
#1
The English Language
Why do we say "making" love and "having" sex? Why not making sex or having love?
And how come we shrug our shoulders when we say, "Dunno." Yet, for the most part, when we say, "I don't know," we shake our head?
Any other strange nuances of the English language anyone can think of?
Andrea
...and 'wicked' when it's great?
aridayle
we describe great things as the dog's b.o.l.l.o.c.k.s. Now, I'm as big an animal lover as the next person (provided the next person isn't Elmer Fudd) but really. They aren't that good.
justyn_thyme
I saw comedian George Carlin in concert back in the late 70s. Many of his routines revolve around language. He is famous for "the seven words you can't say on radio or tv" and was the subject of a law suit by the FCC at one point. Anyway, one of his best lines is: Now, take the word "c***s****r" for example. Where did this one go wrong? A c***s****r is not a bad man. A c***s****r is a gooooood woman!
Vicky
Why is phonetically not spelt phoenetically?
Why is abbreviation such a long word?
Hoxtoneye
I was once discussing the difficulties of english with a German living in London. We got onto the sbject of words with similar spellings but different sounds - bough, cough, dough etc. Yes, he said, l.o.o.p. is loop but c.o.o.p is co-op.
Karl Wiggins
Lee Ann Womack, who has an excellent album out entitled, "I Hope You Dance," wonders:
It's like jumping, It's like leaping
It's like walking on the ceiling
It's like floating, it's like flying
Through the air
It's like soaring, it's like gliding
It's a rocket ship you're riding
It's a feeling that can take you anywhere.
So why they call it falling
I don't know.
stuartwr
The drummer out of ZZ Top is called Frank Beard.
And he's the only member of the band WITHOUT a beard!
Odds Bodkins
Why do we say f-u-c-k you, when that is surely a term of endearment?
Karl Wiggins
Good point.