Subject: Jo´s Language Corner
Posted by: jolana
Date: Jun 10 11
Hi. I don´t mean to start a blog as my life is quite well-ordered and slightly boring. Anyway, I have been learning English for many years and I still come across problems. I´d like to use your knowledge of native-borns and I´d be glad if you could help me in some language problems.
Posted by: jolana
Date: Jun 10 11
Hi. I don´t mean to start a blog as my life is quite well-ordered and slightly boring. Anyway, I have been learning English for many years and I still come across problems. I´d like to use your knowledge of native-borns and I´d be glad if you could help me in some language problems.
173 replies. On page 4 of 9 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
flopsymopsy 
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I'm not rich but I always go up to London. It's the capital, and therefore by definition has a superior status to any other town. Haven't we been there, defined that before? Reply #61. Aug 13 11, 6:39 AM |
lesley153
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Sorry, Flopsy, must have been watching too many Jane Austen adaptations. :( Reply #62. Aug 13 11, 6:42 AM |
Rowena8482
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And of course Chas n Dave go "Dahn to Margate"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs4-lxrTK-8 Reply #63. Aug 13 11, 6:46 AM |
| lesley153
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Ooh I haven't heard that song. Enjoyed that! Reply #64. Aug 13 11, 7:08 AM |
Blackdresss
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Lesley, didn't Petula Clark sing the song "Downtown"? Reply #65. Aug 14 11, 1:55 PM |
jolana
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Reply #66. Aug 16 11, 4:18 PM |
| lesley153
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Jolana found it! Clark sang it in French too. I wouldn't have known that but I heard it on something - can't remember - TV programme? - and should have guessed really because she did marry a Frenchman and live in France. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPixl-zCfU4 Reply #67. Aug 16 11, 4:58 PM |
| jolana
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Reply #68. Aug 16 11, 6:45 PM |
| jolana
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Reply #69. Aug 16 11, 6:50 PM |
postal315
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I have one that I always wonder about. American Texan, we are in line when were are waiting with an orderly group of people. I believe GB queues up. Before there was an internet, GB people said they were on line when they were waiting. I would be in line to see a movie, the school children would be in line for lunch. GB would be on line for the same things? The other one involves hospitals. We say a person is in the hospital, GB just say a person is in hospital. The meaning is clear, but why do Americans need the article "the".? I'm enjoying and learning from this topic. Reply #70. Aug 29 11, 7:33 AM |
romeomikegolf
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"I would be in line to see a movie, the school children would be in line for lunch. GB would be on line for the same things?" No, we would be in a queue, but we could also be lined up. To be 'in line' for something infers that you are expecting it. For example, you would be in line for promotion. On line only refers to the web. Reply #71. Aug 29 11, 8:04 AM |
| jolana
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Reply #72. Aug 29 11, 8:05 AM |
| romeomikegolf
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(or maybe admire the beauties of the particular hospital). Not in the UK you wouldn't, unless it's the nurses :) Reply #73. Aug 29 11, 9:56 AM |
naerulinnupesa
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LOL @reply#33 "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" That was so entertaining! This is such a nice thread, I love English in its various forms. And I like learning new words and expressions, and finding out how things are called in different continents. Having learned Queen's English at school, I also learn a lot from TV, and of course, FunTrivia. It's useful to know that inflammable means flammable :) Reply #74. Sep 19 11, 8:00 AM |
| Blackdresss
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Also, Jolana, people lie and/or are lying; chickens lay and/or are laying. Next up: Directions to anywhere, depending on where you are originally from! This one is almost as confusing as the baseball player who "flied out." Reply #75. Sep 20 11, 7:53 PM |
MarchHare007
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Which leads to "I must fly' (Having to hurry away to....wherever), 'flying off the handle' (losing one's temper), telling someone to 'take a flying leap' (go away - in a nasty way) or time has just 'flown by'..... Reply #76. Sep 21 11, 12:10 AM |
C30
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What a fascinating thread - I've just discovered it! As regards US - UK use of the same language - verily two nations separated by a common language, as is said! Another usage of "fly".........is something not quite legitimate......"on the fly".! Reply #77. Sep 21 11, 1:21 AM |
| C30
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Further of course, "down under" tend to be "a law to themselves" as regards use of English........."G'day" being a term that springs to mind, having migrated up here (probably via Paul Hogan) or Rolf Harris)! Lol Reply #78. Sep 21 11, 1:24 AM |
| MarchHare007
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C30 I don't know of anything that Aussies don't shorten if they can - hence the contraction of G'day, Howudjabe?, Howzat?, wazzat?, wazzup? etc....lol But as not all terms are included as general use we can be quite well understood to the Rest of the world - or so I believe..... :D Nice to see that saying G'day has migrated. Slim Dusty has a song for that.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT331BRkkP0 With Lyrics. :) G'day g'day, how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in' Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right Isn't great to be an Aussie Takin' a walk along the street Lookin' in shops or buyin' a paper Stoppin' and havin' a yarn with people that you meet Down at the pub or at a party Whenever you're stuck for what to say If you wanna be dinky-di, why don't you give it a try Look 'em right in the eye and say goo'day G'day g'day, how ya goin', hat d'ya know, well strike a light G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in' Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right Now when Italians meet they all go crazy The blokes all like to hug each other too The Yanks invented "hi" "and see you later" While the Pommy will shake your hand and say "how do you do" Now watch out for a Frenchmen or he'll kiss you The Spaniards go for "Olah" and "Olay" But in the land of the cockatoo, pole cats and the didgeridoo When you meet an Aussie ten-to-one here's what he'll say G'day g'day, how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in' Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right It's a greeting that you'll hear across Australia From Geraldton to Goulburn, Gundagai It's as dinkum as the Dingo and the Dahlia And you spell it with a G, apostrophe, a D-A-Y G'day g'day, how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in' Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right G'day g'day, and how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light G'day g;day, and how ya go-o-o-in' Just say g'day g'day g'day Just say G'day g'day g'day and she'll be right Reply #79. Sep 21 11, 1:37 AM |
| C30
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MarchHare........G'Day sport, like it! As good as his classic "Pub with no Beer"! No I not from Oz, but I have been there (albeit 45 years ago). Reply #80. Sep 21 11, 2:43 AM |
173 replies. On page 4 of 9 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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