LOL! Very good.I could not even begin to converse with that generation. One story along those lines is this. Nikita Krushchev was known to bombastically declare that his country would bury different countries and organizations. One of my college professors said that when Krushchev said that he would bury the US in the space race, it should have been translated, " we will leave you in the dust." So many things have lost their original meaning,. Raining cats and dogs, sleep tight, bee in your bonnet. Language is lovely. I love words!
Great Krushchev story that I'd never heard. I still don't get how the raining cats and dogs happened. Bee in my bonnet would make me move fast and not be able to think of anything else so I kinda get it.
Language is great and could be a full-time job (a fun one) if we let it. Thanks sandra for your fine thoughts.
when people had sod roofs and it rained, the cats and dogs lying on the roof would fall through. Outdoor animals would lie on the roof, especially in winter because it was warmer
LOL. Bertrand Russell said that "there is much pleasure to be gained from useless information." I have found that when I have nothing in common with someone and can find no common topic of conversation, useless tidbits sometimes clear the air.
"As best as I can tell, “word” equates to “I agree with you.”" Which is likely the context in which it is used in Cameo's massive mid-80s hit "Word Up!"
Most professions and avocations have particular forms of shorthand jargon that are not easily explainable to outsiders that I find helpful to know looking at their histories. An animator knows what a "gag" is, science fiction fans know what "filk" is and vaudevillians were well-acquainted with the term "next to closing", but people not part of those groups have to be told what they mean. That is part of the historian's jobs.
One of the most revealing books I have read is H.L. Mencken's "The American Language", where he explored the numerous forms and subclasses of English as spoken in the U.S. Who knew that two people in the country could speak the language in entirely different ways dependent on where they grew up and lived?
David, I love Mencken and don't know that book, so I'm going to look it up. I also didn't know "gag" or "filk," so I will acquaint myself with those. I always learn a lot from your responses. Thank you!
LOL! Very good.I could not even begin to converse with that generation. One story along those lines is this. Nikita Krushchev was known to bombastically declare that his country would bury different countries and organizations. One of my college professors said that when Krushchev said that he would bury the US in the space race, it should have been translated, " we will leave you in the dust." So many things have lost their original meaning,. Raining cats and dogs, sleep tight, bee in your bonnet. Language is lovely. I love words!
Great Krushchev story that I'd never heard. I still don't get how the raining cats and dogs happened. Bee in my bonnet would make me move fast and not be able to think of anything else so I kinda get it.
Language is great and could be a full-time job (a fun one) if we let it. Thanks sandra for your fine thoughts.
when people had sod roofs and it rained, the cats and dogs lying on the roof would fall through. Outdoor animals would lie on the roof, especially in winter because it was warmer
the things that you know that I don't... could fill 10 bibles! Thank you
LOL. Bertrand Russell said that "there is much pleasure to be gained from useless information." I have found that when I have nothing in common with someone and can find no common topic of conversation, useless tidbits sometimes clear the air.
That is both funny and true
"As best as I can tell, “word” equates to “I agree with you.”" Which is likely the context in which it is used in Cameo's massive mid-80s hit "Word Up!"
Most professions and avocations have particular forms of shorthand jargon that are not easily explainable to outsiders that I find helpful to know looking at their histories. An animator knows what a "gag" is, science fiction fans know what "filk" is and vaudevillians were well-acquainted with the term "next to closing", but people not part of those groups have to be told what they mean. That is part of the historian's jobs.
One of the most revealing books I have read is H.L. Mencken's "The American Language", where he explored the numerous forms and subclasses of English as spoken in the U.S. Who knew that two people in the country could speak the language in entirely different ways dependent on where they grew up and lived?
David, I love Mencken and don't know that book, so I'm going to look it up. I also didn't know "gag" or "filk," so I will acquaint myself with those. I always learn a lot from your responses. Thank you!