Posted on 10/20/2006 12:08:18 PM PDT by Wuli
Is it necessary to dedicate an entire thread to something of such little consequence as English? Usually we just criticize the spelling of trols and let it go at that.
It's the sort of thing that makes an interesting e-mail. You know, like the ones full of "facts" that are not true. This one is true and amusing.
He trolls for trolls.
So, what kind of a noise annoys an oyster?
bump
I like the notion that English was three times conquered...
The Saxons from the south brought "Wish", the Norse from the North brought "Want" and the Franco-Normans brought "Desire".
All the same, and all just a bit different!
Don
The Poles polish the Polish poles.
And the Teutons brought will. Will is wish in armor.
More of the same about English:
Why is abbreviated such a long word?
Why does monosyllabic have five syllables?
Why is brassiere singular and panties plural?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
Why is it when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
ough makes seven different sounds in English. I don't remember all of them though. (that's one)
Though
Through
Cough
Tough
Bough
Dough
?????
dough and though are the same sound. That's five. I'm distracted right now (talking to my beloved) and can't even think of the other two! What am i even doing here? :D
I am sorry to hear that you think there is so little consequence to English? Try posting to all of us in Esperanto and check the response.
I wonder why (1)English is a requirement for most college majors in China and India and (2) is taken by most sciene and business majors in Japan, Korea as well as many European and Latin countries. Somehow, they all do not think English is of such little consequence.
And "Fish" can be spelled "GHOTI" --- the "gh" from "enough," the "o" from "women," and the "ti" from "caution."
Here's another fave of mine, coincidentally also involving fish ... If you write the word five times, it's a sentence:
Fish fish fish fish fish.
Shall I post the explanation or wait?
Incidentally, the author makes a mistake right in the beginning with "peruse at your leisure." To peruse actually means to study carefully, but everyone gets that one wrong!
Thanks for your contributions
Why can't you "study carefully" at your leisure?
In fact, often when I am "studying carefully", I will do so "leisurely" over many sessions, instead of all at once, before I conclude that particular study.
from dictionary.com:
Usage Note: Peruse has long meant “to read thoroughly” and is often used loosely when one could use the word read instead. Sometimes people use it to mean “to glance over, skim,” as in I only had a moment to peruse the manual quickly, but this usage is widely considered an error. Sixty-six percent of the Usage Panel finds it unacceptable
Thought, Bought, Brought
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