Search found 4197 matches
- Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:45 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: body souffles and foot butters
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1748
body souffles and foot butters
Shelley! I am surprised at you, although it's nice to know that you would contemplate having a soak with something other than a dictionary. Let me know if you manage it with The Boss though, I would love to know where he put his guitar.
- Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:12 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: body souffles and foot butters
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1748
body souffles and foot butters
I wouldn't want to have a bath with stuff that was over 50 years old personally. New bottles are quite cheap in most supermarkets I find.
- Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:07 am
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: Scouse
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2192
Scouse
You might come across a Liverpudlian being called a SCOUSER as well, but it all comes from the stew.
- Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:02 pm
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: Tiger Tim
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2498
Tiger Tim
Because Tim Henman’s name is Tim, and it is a well known alliteration. I don’t think changing your original lead post is at all fair on the people who take the time and trouble to answer you Frank. If you want to go in a different direction, fine, but from my own point of view I would much rather yo...
- Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:20 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: "it was a fluke"
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5770
"it was a fluke"
I should have explained more clearly. What I meant was that I can accept that the word came from the fish, but I am still convinced that the expression came from billiards. I am not a fisherman, I have not eaten a fluke, and as far as I know have never seen one. I reiterate that it is not a popular ...
- Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:24 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Adultery
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1545
Adultery
Thank you all. I think we can safely keep the worshiping of idols out of the equation. In its most simple form, the argument was "can an unmarried person be an adulterer?" I said "Yes", Shelly says "Yes" and Ken says "Yes"; unfortunately, all of the definitions I have seen of the word are a bit wool...
- Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:22 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: "it was a fluke"
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5770
"it was a fluke"
The arguments have convinced me that the expression came from the fish, but I remain adamant that it came from billiards, even though I agree that latterly it is sometimes used to describe a chance accident good or bad
- Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:56 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: menstruate
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2317
menstruate
The curse. Although in truth I wouldn't mind betting that it was probably never mentioned.
- Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:54 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Adultery
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1545
Adultery
This question is to settle an argument. If a married woman sleeps with a man that is not her husband, she commits adultery. But, if the man is single is he an adulterer or a fornicator? I am convinced from a long ago implanted memory that even if only one of the pair is married, both commit adultery...
- Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:31 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: brass meaning nerve or rudeness
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1151
brass meaning nerve or rudeness
My guess is that it comes from the expression "brass neck", which means arrogance, someone who will not be moved from a course of action. Simply put, someone who cannot turn his head.
Brassed off is a real expression, and quite common, it means fed up.
Brassed off is a real expression, and quite common, it means fed up.
- Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:20 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Sandles
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1090
Sandles
Sandals feminine masculine. Might I suggest that your spellchecker is a little under used Jay?
- Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:13 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: "it was a fluke"
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5770
"it was a fluke"
I don't think I can agree with your connection to the fish, Ken. It isn't a popular dish, and I can't see for the life of me why a dead fish can be considered lucky. It's a bit like people who carry a rabbit's foot as a lucky charm. I have always thought that it didn't bring a lot of luck to the rab...
- Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:58 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: "it was a fluke"
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5770
"it was a fluke"
I would say from billiards or snooker, where it means points scored for which the player did not aim. A lucky shot. I don't know whether it arrived fully formed from a dialect or something though. Snooker itself was developed in India, so it could possibly come from there.
- Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:32 pm
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: see you
- Replies: 18
- Views: 5517
see you
Frank, A bit pedantic aren't we? Or should a blind man not say "See you soon", or should we not start a letter "It's good to hear from you" when someone has written to you? They are all manners of speech, and should not be considered as being even remotely literal.
- Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:46 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Do we 'make' or 'take' a decision?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 12764
Do we 'make' or 'take' a decision?
I have been running this through my mind since it was first posted. I am pretty sure that I have never taken a decision in my life, but I have made thousands. The friends with whom I have mentioned it seem to think the same, so I wonder if it is a translators' thing. I don't know.