phrases that puzzle me
#482
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, N.Y.
Posts: 1,832
How come people say "Hi, how are you?" and then they keep walking? Does this mean that they don't care how you are?
Why ask if you don't care?
And why do we answer with "Fine, how are you?" and keep walking???
Why ask if you don't care?
And why do we answer with "Fine, how are you?" and keep walking???
#484
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
[quote=Rhonda]
Where did the expression Pardon my French get started? Why is it French and not German or Spanish or whatever?
don't know, but always just assumed: the French swear a lot????
Think I'll ask k3n about that. I think she has said that the Dutch do.
Pardon my "dutch", just doesn't have the same sound to it.:lol:
I do occasionally, say, "pardon my Greek."
Originally Posted by quiltncrazy
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
How about "fit to be tied" Not sure where that originated.
and then my personal favorite: Pardon my French, /quote]
:
and then my personal favorite: Pardon my French, /quote]
:
Think I'll ask k3n about that. I think she has said that the Dutch do.
Pardon my "dutch", just doesn't have the same sound to it.:lol:
I do occasionally, say, "pardon my Greek."
#485
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by Rhonda
The English language as spoken by us in the USA is one of the hardest languages to learn as we have so many exceptions to the rules. And then you add in the differant colloquilalisms and then add in the way we butcher the language and just imagine coming in and not knowing how to speak English! Can you imagine trying to make sense of all the things you would hear?
I personally, am not bothered at all, by the way ppl speak, as long as
1- they are not swearing
2 - they are not being rude towards me
I wouldn't, however, want to have to learn how to speak it, at my age. Glad i was born here to start with.
...and dat's a fact, jack:wink:
#486
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
I will say this, lol, in defense of all those that use 'colloquialisms'...
it is quite difficult at times, to be around ppl with strong accents, etc. and hear current 'area' sayings, without picking some of them up, some times.
I do however, wish, that for easier understanding of what i am reading, ppl would use their education on commas.
I shake my head a lot over things written without them.
To me, a comma is like a blinker when driving. It lets me know when to slow down, or pause. :wink:
it is quite difficult at times, to be around ppl with strong accents, etc. and hear current 'area' sayings, without picking some of them up, some times.
I do however, wish, that for easier understanding of what i am reading, ppl would use their education on commas.
I shake my head a lot over things written without them.
To me, a comma is like a blinker when driving. It lets me know when to slow down, or pause. :wink:
#487
I hate it when I hear people say something like "...and on tomorrow, we'll meet about this...."
ON tomorrow? How do you get ON tomorrow?
And subject verb agreement mishaps...I can't even go there, because it drives me crazy!
ON tomorrow? How do you get ON tomorrow?
And subject verb agreement mishaps...I can't even go there, because it drives me crazy!
#488
Originally Posted by Debra Mc
Mel, I love it. The grammar bitch. That is priceless. My dad was so strict about us using proper grammar. If you said ain't you were in trouble. People will say "ain't got no." It drives me crazy. I'm with you. Mousey you have so many post you must not have anything to do so come to Texas & help me cook. We are mouse friendly here.
I in turn taught it to my children and grandchildren. It seems once they hear it, they dont forget it.
Here are a few of mine (like chalk on a blackboard):
yenz for you worsh for wash double negatives dont got no etc. I seen instead of I have seen or I saw.
Margie
#490
Originally Posted by ladygen
My husband told me last night that he wanted me to post one of his... irregardless. Double negative, much?
Oh, I hate that one!
And when people say supposably (sp?) instead of supposedly? Drives me nuts, too.
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11-17-2010 07:24 PM