Search found 4421 matches
- Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:26 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: fanny
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4432
fanny
This question was posted in November of last year, and remains unanswered. Out of curiosity in Australia the word "Fanny" or as it is also colloquially termed "the map of Tassie" (Tasmania being reminiscent in shape) refers to that part of female anatomy or 'front bottom' as Robert kindly touched on...
- Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:22 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: parsing 'by'
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5007
parsing 'by'
Well I just thought that using a silly pun as a heading would parse muster and then parse into obscurity.
- Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:16 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: suicide blonde
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3567
suicide blonde
Surely by definition a Suicide Blonde has to be dyed by her own hand?
- Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:10 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: bejesus
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5475
bejesus
Without going too deeply into the topic, I thought frigging was a euphemism for female masturbation.
- Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:09 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: dystopic
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7491
dystopic
This is interesting, because Dystopic does have a meaning in medicine. It is something that is in the wrong place as well being better knownas a sort of negative image of Utopia. But, in exactly the same way that we talk of a Utopian society, I can personally see no reason whatsoever not to speak of...
- Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:35 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: parsing 'by'
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5007
parsing 'by'
Many thanks both. Ken's post summed up my confusion a treat.
- Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:26 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: bejesus
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5475
bejesus
Good name for a band though, except it could sound like the vehicle that the Brothers Gibb used to travel to gigs. Bee Gee Bus.
- Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:54 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: parsing 'by'
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5007
parsing 'by'
Please get me out of a mental block. If you were to parse the sentence “He flew to London by aeroplane”, what is "by"?
- Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:15 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: raised vs reared
- Replies: 2
- Views: 13351
raised vs reared
I would agree with Fowler's last sentence.
I brought up my children, I would probably not use either of the two other options, although I would not queston their use by someone else.
I brought up my children, I would probably not use either of the two other options, although I would not queston their use by someone else.
- Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:59 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: big grass (for tall grass)?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5948
big grass (for tall grass)?
We have long grass over here, and when I was younger I had lots of fun I had in it I vaguely remember.
- Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:06 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Brussels sprouts
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3633
Brussels sprouts
I had a trip to the Supermarket today, not a single Brussel, all sprouts were Brussels.
- Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:59 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Brussels sprouts
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3633
Brussels sprouts
And there was me thinking that “crud” meant uselessly horrid.
- Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:47 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: You're welcome
- Replies: 38
- Views: 17042
You're welcome
"You're welcome", is obviously a contraction of "You are welcome", which could be substituted for "It's a pleasure", "Don't mention it", "Not a problem" etc.
The word itself is pretty ancient, meaning, I'm pretty certain, that it is a pleasure to see someone arrive.
The word itself is pretty ancient, meaning, I'm pretty certain, that it is a pleasure to see someone arrive.
- Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:07 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: whet one's whistle
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6887
whet one's whistle
Bozo, I'm still with you. Chaucer couldn't spell anyway! I must say the rest of the evidence seems convincing though.
- Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:26 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: whet one's whistle
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6887
whet one's whistle
Personally, I'm a "whet" man, and I think you are right, you want to sharpen your whistle, not drown it.