In Defense of English - Page 8

ShortNCuddlyAm · 04-10-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

Oh, quit whining! At least these posts are short. It took me two days to read the posts in one thread of the Conservatory and I think my post to the thread may have actually killed it as there haven't been any new posts since then. Does that make me a "Thread Killer"?

Kaz

Yups.

Of course, what you need to do now is leave it dead for a few days/weeks, then resurrect it, and you'll also be thread necromancer.

And if your post resurrecting it is off topic, you can be a thread jacker too

ShortNCuddlyAm · 04-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

Correct. It was reportedly invented by a group of young upper middle class men in Boston in the early 1800's.

Meanwhile, there was a big linguistic battle in Britain after the French invaded in 1066 over how to form the plural. English is basically a Germanic language and they form the plural by adding 'en' to a word (ex., one haus, two hausen etc). The French add 's' and after 1066 the 's' caught on in the countryside while the 'en' held sway in the cities. Yet, the countryside won this one so effectively that there is only one word in the English language that is pluralized by adding 'en'.

It's a very common word, do you know what it is?

Boxen?

(OK, so my initial though was oxen as the plural of ox, but not sure that counts as very common...)

Edit:

Children

which does make two plurals ending in en...

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 05:52 PM

The textbook answer is oxen, although I like children much better. Especially with ketchup and french fries.

(Gentle readers: What would Friday be without at least a nod to cannibalism?)

MickeyC · 04-10-2009, 05:54 PM

Well done ShortNCuddlyAm.

vivaldirules · 04-10-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

The textbook answer is oxen, although I like children much better. Especially with ketchup and french fries.

(Gentle readers: What would Friday be without at least a nod to cannibalism?)

(stinking karma limits) Thanks again, DG.

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

(stinking karma limits) Thanks again, DG.

Aw shucks, t'w'aren't nuthin'. :bluush:

Moejoe · 04-10-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Aw shucks, t'w'aren't nuthin'. :bluush:

Now now, the Queen is watching. Please correct your English before the Queen becomes upset and her Crown falls off

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 06:00 PM

Eye wundour whut et wooda soundid lyke if'n theu Queeun had'a spokin en myu dreum? Wud sheuv talqu'd lyke Granny or her roy'all seluf?

Wetdogeared · 04-10-2009, 06:04 PM

What are all y'all talkin' about?

WDE.

kazbates · 04-10-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Now now, the Queen is watching. Please correct your English before the Queen becomes upset and her Crown falls off

Could that actually happen - the Queen's crown falling off. I thought they super-glued that sucker to her head!! I would if it belonged to me. I would NEVER take it off!! I would have to practice my wave, though!
Kaz

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

What are all y'all talkin' about?

WDE.

??? It's as clear as the cold damp nose on your face.

Translation: Etz az klere az thu kowuld damp noz own yer faus.

Moejoe · 04-10-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

Could that actually happen - the Queen's crown falling off. I thought they super-glued that sucker to her head!! I would if it belonged to me. I would NEVER take it off!! I would have to practice my wave, though!
Kaz

I've practiced my wave if I ever meet the Queen. Well, it's not exactly a wave, more of a gesture, and I only use the two fingers

DixieGal · 04-10-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

Could that actually happen - the Queen's crown falling off. I thought they super-glued that sucker to her head!! I would if it belonged to me. I would NEVER take it off!! I would have to practice my wave, though!
Kaz

Have y'all ever seen those baseball caps with the attached fake hair? (My bald-headed sister sometimes wears that instead of her wig.

) I sort of imagine the crown is glued to a big poofy wig, and that the Queen just pops out of bed in the morning, tugs it on, and is ready to go wave sideways at her fans... I meant "subjects," although really, its (ha! ITS!) pretty objective whether you are a fan and subject or just a subjective fan on occasion.

kazbates · 04-10-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

I've practiced my wave if I ever meet the Queen. Well, it's not exactly a wave, more of a gesture, and I only use the two fingers

Once again, that's why you need to come to the US. We have managed to reduce the gesture to only ONE finger. We like to keep things simple!!

Kaz

kazbates · 04-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Have y'all ever seen those baseball caps with the attached fake hair? (My bald-headed sister sometimes wears that instead of her wig.

) I sort of imagine the crown is glued to a big poofy wig, and that the Queen just pops out of bed in the morning, tugs it on, and is ready to go wave sideways at her fans.

Yep, that was my take too!! BTW, you have the most interesting family!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I meant "subjects," although really, its (ha! ITS!) pretty objective whether you are a fan and subject or just a subjective fan on occasion.

!?!?GROAN?!?!?!
Kaz

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04-10-2009, 05:52 PM	#108
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	The textbook answer is oxen, although I like children much better. Especially with ketchup and french fries. (Gentle readers: What would Friday be without at least a nod to cannibalism?)

04-10-2009, 05:54 PM	#109
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Well done ShortNCuddlyAm.

04-10-2009, 06:00 PM	#113
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Eye wundour whut et wooda soundid lyke if'n theu Queeun had'a spokin en myu dreum? Wud sheuv talqu'd lyke Granny or her roy'all seluf?

04-10-2009, 06:04 PM	#114
Wetdogeared Storm Surge'n Posts: 5,781 Karma: 8213195 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Polar Vortex Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1	What are all y'all talkin' about? WDE.