Lost for words...

[bugbear]

...and another thing, what happened to the subjunctive? Because it is used extensively in french, I find myself trying to explain it to english people here who are trying to master french. None of them seem to know what it is.

One has to be careful here - grammar is merely created by academics trying to describe what the language already does. Hence grammar rules must follow language, not the other way round. More people can use the pluperfect than can define it (or have heard of it!)

By the way, adjectives describing nationality should start with a capital.

It also used to be rule (for those that wish to follow old rules) that one shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction, such as "and".

BugBear

 

[studders]

a lot of wit (that's another word we hear infrequently).

I hear 'Halfwit' quite often when I'm around (just as well really, if I heard it when I wasn't around it would be worrying).

 

[studders]

It also used to be rule (for those that wish to follow old rules) that one shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction, such as "and".

BugBear

The Oxford 'And' ?

 

[Harbo]

I hail originally from Yorkshire where a few Nordic (Viking) words were/are? in use - "Laiking" which means messing about/playing.
Usually said as "stop laiking about".
We used a "buffet" instead of "stool" - the seat variety.
My mother used to say "slart" for fruit juice but I am sure she made that up?

When I moved down south and actually worked in a Castle I soon learned to say Caarrsel and butterrr for butter.

Rod

 

[RogerM]

I hail originally from Yorkshire where a few Nordic (Viking) words were/are? in use - "Laiking" which means messing about/playing.
Usually said as "stop laiking about".

Surely just a version of "larking about" ?

 

[studders]

When I was young, so long ago now, sigh..... , I was sure there was a thing called a 'Wossisname' as I heard it being referred to so many times. I also thought what I now know as a Linen Basket was called a Lid n Basket.

 

[bugbear]

I hail originally from Yorkshire where a few Nordic (Viking) words were/are? in use - "Laiking" which means messing about/playing.
Usually said as "stop laiking about".

Surely just a version of "larking about" ?

Some quick etymological research reveals that "laiking" is the father of "larking".

So I suppose "larking" is a version of "laiking", rather than the other way round.

BugBear

 

[Chataigner]

It also used to be rule (for those that wish to follow old rules) that one shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction, such as "and".

BugBear

A preposition is not a suitable word to end a sentence with. :lol: :lol:

 

[gus3049]

Have we started on split infinitives yet?

 

[Digit]

NO!

Roy.

 

[studders]

Have we started on split infinitives yet?

I'm Bald, so I don't have to worry about them anymore. (homer)

Mind you, my Dangling Participles could use a little work.

 

[Benchwayze]

Have we started on split infinitives yet?

My pet hate. It is the one grammatical error up with which I will not put!

e haven't started on them yet, but I think we soonly will... :mrgreen:

John

 

[Digit]

No! I forbid it! (hammer)

Roy.

 

[Chataigner]

Have we started on split infinitives yet?

My pet hate. It is the one grammatical error up with which I will not put!

e haven't started on them yet, but I think we soonly will... :mrgreen:

John

Considered to be correct in US english I believe, though a friend said only one adverb, so the oft quoted "to boldly go" is OK, but "to quickly boldly go" is not. Any Americans out there who can comment?

 

[Benchwayze]

Have we started on split infinitives yet?

My pet hate. It is the one grammatical error up with which I will not put!

e haven't started on them yet, but I think we soonly will... :mrgreen:

John

Considered to be correct in US english I believe, though a friend said only one adverb, so the oft quoted "to boldly go" is OK, but "to quickly boldly go" is not. Any Americans out there who can comment?

US English isn't English. Period!

Webster changed spellings because he wanted to be different to Britain and he had a 'big' thing over phonetics. So centre became center and so on.

I think split infinitives sound clumsy, whether modern usage recognises them or not.

But that's just me.

John

 

[barkwindjammer]

This pair always makes oi larf :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08BqaSuE ... r_embedded

 

[condeesteso]

This has developed into a really good read. Well on the way to making a good bedside book - seriously. Do we all own the publishing rights?

 

[Digit]

One thing that has always fascinated me is the origin of some every day words. Take for example the humble spanner, a tool we are all familiar with, what's its origin?
It turns out, like quite a few words, to have originated with fire arms, to be precise, with the wheel lock.
The wheel was like the wheel in the modern lighter, and performed the same function, it produced a stream of sparks to ignite the powderin the pan.
The wheel was operated by a clock type spring that had to be wound up, which act was performed with a key type device.
The instructions for winding the spring were, span your weapon! hence, spanner.

Roy.

 

[Benchwayze]

One thing that has always fascinated me is the origin of some every day words. Take for example the humble spanner, a tool we are all familiar with, what's its origin?
It turns out, like quite a few words, to have originated with fire arms, to be precise, with the wheel lock.
The wheel was like the wheel in the modern lighter, and performed the same function, it produced a stream of sparks to ignite the powderin the pan.
The wheel was operated by a clock type spring that had to be wound up, which act was performed with a key type device.
The instructions for winding the spring were, span your weapon! hence, spanner.

Roy.

Thanks Roy.I didn't know that. Another daily bit of learning.

It doesn't have quite the same ring as 'Monkey-Wrench' though does it! 'Right men! You heard the Captain. By Numbers... Wrench your weapons...! '

'I think we're stepping into the realms of fantasy here Corporal Jones!'

:lol: :lol: :lol:

John

 

[Digit]

Ah! They don't like it up 'em!

Roy.