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A break down in the language barriers?

england Offline DaveK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #60 on: May 27, 2008, 06:52:38 PM
I find it interesting that Brit Sir Humphrey Davy discovered aluminum and named originally named it thus, a name which matches its Latin root.  It wasn't until an anonymous contributor to the Quarterly Review read about the discovery and suggested the name aluminium be used instead, because it had a more "classical" sound.

Now, I did not know that! I had heard of Sir Humphrey as the inventor of the "Davy Lamp", the saviour of many a coal-mining budgie.....

The periodic table names is an odd one isn't it? I wonder why one convention wasn't adopted, platinium or titanum just don't sound right do they?

Quote from: NutSAK
I was only explaining why we don't use the word in the same context.  Most of those words make sense to me, but they may have different meanings--chips is a good example.  I was not commenting on different pronunciations.

Those examples do have different meanings though don't they?

At least, I know fanny does, and we're definitely not talking about the same thing when we say whiskey  :angel:
I used to come here a lot.


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #61 on: May 27, 2008, 08:58:43 PM

Those examples do have different meanings though don't they?

At least, I know fanny does, and we're definitely not talking about the same thing when we say whiskey  :angel:

Chips
Crisps
Nappies
Fanny
Holiday

Yes, they're different.  As you're probably aware we call crisps chips.  We do have "fish and chips" on restaurant menus here though, and that is a commonly known term.  We actually don't really have a term for what you call "chips"--the thickly-sliced fried potatoes, so we just call them "fried potatoes" or "potato wedges".  We only use the term "fries" or "French fries" to specifically refer to long, slender sticks of fried potato.  Why we give credit to the French for our fries is a mystery to me. :think: :D  There are some brand names of snack crackers or chips that use the word "crisps" in the name, but it's not a common term.  It's all pretty confusing, really.

Holiday is an interesting one.  Our definition of holiday is the same as yours when we're talking about a national or religious holiday such as Christmas or Easter.  However, when we take time off work to go on a personal trip, that's a vacation.  I guess that's just an example of how different dialects add words to the language further differentiate terms.

Fanny definitely isn't the same.  :P :D  Somehow we got turned around the wrong way on that one!

I'm not sure what you mean about whiskey.  I've always assumed when a Brit says "whiskey" he's talking about Scotch whiskey, which normally we would just call scotch.  Of course there's also Irish whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, Canadian whiskey, bourbon whiskey (which we just call bourbon), etc.  Do you have another definition of whiskey that I'm not aware of? 
« Last Edit: May 27, 2008, 09:01:01 PM by NutSAK »
- Terry


england Offline Dunc

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #62 on: May 27, 2008, 09:04:14 PM
I'm not aware of another use of whiskey other then Scotch whiskey.
Of course before I gave up smoking recently I loved a fag before I went to sleep , I inderstand that could get me funny looks in the states  :o

Dunc


gb Offline Roadie

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #63 on: May 27, 2008, 09:05:46 PM
I'm not aware of another use of whiskey other then Scotch whiskey.
Of course before I gave up smoking recently I loved a fag before I went to sleep , I inderstand that could get me funny looks in the states  :o

Dunc

Insert snigger here..... :D
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


us Offline ducktapehero

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #64 on: May 27, 2008, 09:14:08 PM
Quote
I don't believe that many of you ppl could understand me. Maybe Ducktapehero or ppl like that.  I am from Southern U.S.
Tennessee to be exact (the Hills) My typing is a lot better sounding than my southern draw.
I got a bit of a Southern drawl myself. I probably have a little western twang mixed in there too. 
http://ducksrandomthoughts.blogspot.com - or follow me on Twitter- @ducksthoughts

It's hard to say nipple without smirking.


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #65 on: May 27, 2008, 09:35:30 PM
I'm not aware of another use of whiskey other then Scotch whiskey.
Of course before I gave up smoking recently I loved a fag before I went to sleep , I inderstand that could get me funny looks in the states  :o

Dunc

That's for sure.  ;)  Did you say you loved a fag?  :D
- Terry


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #66 on: May 27, 2008, 09:49:56 PM
I belive he did :D
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #67 on: May 27, 2008, 09:59:18 PM
I belive he did :D

I've also heard the term "blowing a fag".  This is definitely a phrase you want to consider not using in the US.  :D

Unless you're into that sort of thing, of course.
- Terry


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #68 on: May 27, 2008, 10:00:06 PM
I belive he did :D

I've also heard the term "blowing a fag".  This is definitely a phrase you want to consider not using in the US.  :D
Not without a flak jacket or two :D
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


us Offline ducktapehero

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #69 on: May 27, 2008, 10:07:07 PM
Quote
This is definitely a phrase you want to consider not using in the US.
He'd be OK if he did that in San Francisco. I wouldn't recommend doing it in Muscle Shoals Alabama.
http://ducksrandomthoughts.blogspot.com - or follow me on Twitter- @ducksthoughts

It's hard to say nipple without smirking.


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #70 on: May 27, 2008, 10:07:54 PM
LOL.  Good point.
- Terry


england Offline DaveK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #71 on: May 28, 2008, 02:39:07 AM
LOL

I was just being smart about the whiskey ;) I do enjoy my Scotch. Some Irish whiskeys are nice too, but I've never found an American whiskey to my taste (yet). Although to be fair, there's a fair few Scotches that are a bit rough too - so maybe I'm generalising a bit.

French fries is one of the most appropriate names I can think of. I've lived in France and they have chips with bloody anything. Despite the snobbery about good old British fish n chips, they have Moules et Frites, Steak Frites at some of the best restaurants!

I've no comment to make about having a pull on a fag......
I used to come here a lot.


Offline Leatherman123

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #72 on: May 28, 2008, 02:44:20 AM
HAHAHHA LMAO
B


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #73 on: May 28, 2008, 03:15:37 AM

I've no comment to make about having a pull on a fag......



You should try Maker's Mark bourbon if you get a chance.  Since you're a scotch drinker you may not like it, but it's the best I've found.
- Terry


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #74 on: May 28, 2008, 07:55:53 AM
You should have known that this discussion would have brought up things like this Micky D

I belive he did :D

I've also heard the term "blowing a fag".  This is definitely a phrase you want to consider not using in the US.  :D

Unless you're into that sort of thing, of course.

 :D

I don't believe I'd bring that up anywhere  :P


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #75 on: May 28, 2008, 07:58:06 AM
But I am sure that we say things over here that would get us funny looks over there  :D  I just don't know what ::)


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #76 on: May 28, 2008, 01:50:48 PM
I was wondering about that myself.  :think:
- Terry


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: A break down in the language barriers?
Reply #77 on: May 30, 2008, 02:51:33 AM
Have any of you across the big water, red anything that we have typed over here that would get us funny looks over there ? Cause if I am over there just the way I look could get me funny looks :o :D


 

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