23 posts tagged with language
Q. Why is beef called beef and not cow?
Via Answerbag:
Beef is from the French “boeuf” which means cow, and por from the French “porc”, pig. Likewise mutton is from the French “mouton” sheep. Back in Norman times, these were the main farm animals – turkey, chicken, etc. cam later. The poor farmhands who tended the live animals called them by their Anglos-Saxon names of cow, pig, sheep.
It’s all Greek to me!
The most amusing thing about the language is the way English letters are combined with the Greek alphabet to form the words. Just when you think you’re figuring something out – BAM! – a Greek symbol. Luckily I don’t think I’ve encountered one local that can’t speak relatively good English.
We took the ATVs out for the day again on Thursday … view full post
il dolce di far niente
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before
Switchfoot rock!
There’s only one way I can start this entry: oh man! What a crazy past few days. So much so that I’ve decided to post more frequently for my own sake, before … view full post
UrbanDictionary.com
Some UrbanDictionary.com terms need serious attention: see eish for example.
Here’s a cool widget, simply click and drag the following link to your Bookmarks or Bookmarks Toolbar: UrbanDictionary.com
Welakapela
I was just playing Tetrinet (my playing time stat is sitting at 97hrs 34mins 47 secs) … when I found myself typing, out of nowhere, “welakapela”. A childhood taunt of unknown origin. Even Google and Everything2.com don’t provide any answers on this one. Any ideas?
Oh and download Drempels:
Drempels makes
Random factoid for the day
According to NationMaster, the United States spends more money on its military than the next 12 nations combined. But then again, they also say that South African men work only 4.5 hours a day. Pah! … view full post
Mr. Babalas
I woke up this morning with the biggest babalas I’ve had all year ;) – on which two hot cups of honey water had no effect. Thanks for the advice, Metro.
I’ve just had a thought – I’m going to design my own Mr. (sic) Men character – Mr. Babalas. And … view full post
Shake it like a polaroid picture
Shake it like a polaroid picture. Shake it, sh-shake it (Hey ya!)
“Ooo wee ooo, I look just like Buddy Holly,
Oh oh, and you’re Mary Tyler Moore”
“Ooo wee ooo, I look just like Buddy Holly,
Oh oh, and your mari tidal boy.”
I’m notoriously bad when it comes to song lyrics. Because I prefer to … view full post
Word of the week: craven
\Cra”ven\, adj. Characterized by abject fear; cowardly. wuss-like.
Craven Organisation for Drugs and Alcohol
CODA: Craven Organisation for Drugs and Alcohol