Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language

[goosehd]

Here’s one that most of us know and can probably relate to: “Fine” does not mean fine when coming from a significant other, or your children…

[Matt]

@pechelman that’s definitely not exclusive to Seattle.

[pechelman]

Well it's good to know that it isnt just here @Matt and @ARNC

It certainly wasnt this way in other parts of the US I've lived.

[Giles]

Cunt, used with the right inflection is the highest compliment you can give/receive......

[T4920]

I do find it interesting how seemingly inoculus gestures develop negative connotations over time..

I asked a few people recently if they found the emoji to be rude/dismissive/passive aggressive and they all agreed that it was.

The pictographic sibling of 'nice' you might say!

[goosehd]

I once had a discussion with Laura about the purchase of a Porsche 911 turbo…no words were necessary for her thoughts on the matter.

[DeeDee85]

@T4920 if my wife replies to one of my texts with a “”I know world war 3 is about to begin

[WhiskeySandwich]

@DeeDee85 similar to the lone “k” text reply. It means “fuck off”.

[DeeDee85]

@WhiskeySandwich I think the lone “k” is worse actually.. it definitely means fuck off

[mclaincausey]

In the southern US, blessing someone’s heart can be a genuine expression of empathy, fondness, or respect, or a genuine expression of disdain, pity, or disrespect. Sometimes the delivery won’t help you suss out exactly which we mean.

“Bless her heart, that poor girl could get stuck on an escalator.”

“Oh bless his heart he means well but just has the worst luck.”

Then of course, the ole F bomb…

[ROman]

@Giles said in Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language:

Cunt, used with the right inflection is the highest compliment you can give/receive......

I once worked with an Irish guy that used to say cunt lapping bitch. Was that a compliment.

[steelworker]

[Giles]

@ROman said in Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language:

Was that a compliment.

I suspect not.......

[Giles]

From 1976. No doubt about whether this is a compliment or not.....

Listening discretion required......

[IrishHeart]

@Giles laughing to Derek and Clive is one of my great memories from the 6th form common room at school.

[Cutlasshound]

Mine and @Giles favourite word.

The C Bomb. A masterclass in the idiosyncrasies of the English language distilled into a single pure, beautiful, expressive word.

[Giles]

@IrishHeart said in Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language:

@Giles laughing to Derek and Clive is one of my great memories from the 6th form common room at school.

I find it utterly unbelievable that this was broadcast in 1976......

[Tago Mago]

If I send this to my mother she'll cut me out of her will

[IrishHeart]

@Giles agreed, but that’s what made it so hilarious. None of us had heard anything like it before, and we couldn’t stop using the same terminology on our mates.

[Nocturama]

A quote for every occasion…! 🫣

For some reason, “Hamburger stands, but no fucking hamburgers” (from Joan Crawford’s ****) sticks in my head to this day!