Recent Posts

71

English & Linguistics / Re: Funny English and Linguistics stuff...

« Last post by Tante Shvester on September 19, 2024, 05:11:39 PM »

Walkie-talkie is a ridiculous name for a hand-held two-way radio.  Did they give the job of naming it to toddlers?

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English & Linguistics / Re: The random etymology of the day

« Last post by Tante Shvester on September 10, 2024, 09:02:01 PM »

The super part is high or raised and the cilious is hair like cilia. Supercilious is a raised eyebrow.

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English & Linguistics / Re: The random etymology of the day

« Last post by pooka on September 10, 2024, 11:26:03 AM »

Supercilious?

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English & Linguistics / Re: The random etymology of the day

« Last post by Tante Shvester on September 05, 2024, 08:22:30 PM »

The "sub" in substance is the base that supports stuff so that it is sturdy.  Something that is substantial is firm and well-supported.  Now that I realize this, I want flimsy things to be superstantial.

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English & Linguistics / Re: Strange Proununciations

« Last post by pooka on August 30, 2024, 10:18:37 AM »

What about the sh in fiduciary?  And does it depend in if you're pronouncing the second i? 

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English & Linguistics / Re: Strange Proununciations

« Last post by pooka on August 30, 2024, 10:16:05 AM »

I do the "prounounce it twice" way.  Which I guess makes sense because I learned it from my father, who learned English in the Western US. 

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English & Linguistics / Re: Funny English and Linguistics stuff...

« Last post by pooka on August 30, 2024, 10:13:45 AM »

My husband likes the outlander books, but has only experienced them on audio.

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English & Linguistics / Re: Strange Proununciations

« Last post by Ela on August 27, 2024, 11:25:40 AM »

I didn't realize it either till I saw the meme about it.

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English & Linguistics / Re: Strange Proununciations

« Last post by Jonathon on August 19, 2024, 07:42:34 PM »

No problem! I didn't even realize before now that there was variation in how some people said it or that my pronunciation didn't match the standard dictionary pronunciation.

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English & Linguistics / Re: Strange Proununciations

« Last post by Ela on August 19, 2024, 06:22:55 PM »

Thanks for your thoughts on it.