Is Hollandaise sauce really from Holland?????
Ξ September 27th, 2007 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Uncategorized |
I’m a writer. So I think about words a lot. Their construction. Their use. When I am teaching, whether or not I use the proper inflection and the right word for the right setting. I have come to appreciate the English language because that’s what I speak.
Oh yes, I took the elective of two years of German in high school (1977 graduate). At the time, it seemed more practical and useful than Spanish; Hogan’s Heroes Reigned!
In college, I took Ancient Greek. (don’t ask)
So basically, if I need to, I can talk to a Nazi Minister.
But I am still facinated with language and why we say the things we do and how we say them and the word construction and their derivatives.
So why are dumb and bum not spelled the same but they sound the same?
Why do we have to have three versions of there ???
Why is Heath one letter off from Death?
Why do they call them Butterflies? Why butter?
And then there are Oxymorons:
Working Vacation
Tight Slacks
Silent Scream
Living Dead
Working Stiffs
Jumbo Shrimp
Healthy Tan
Microsoft Works (we won’t go there)
Plastic Glasses
Fine Mess
Head Butt
I can’t take credit for all of these. http://www.oxymoronlist.com/
But isn’t it weird the way we comunicate in 2007 and we all know what we mean?
For instance: If I tell you to “just Google that”. You know exactly what I’m talking about. If I say “Yada yada”, you’ll think of Elaine. For those of you who are in the know, if I said, “that’s what she said”. You understand where it came from. (if not, don’t worry).
My point is, that language changes, at least every decade. And what was acceptible back then, may not be now. And what we say now, would have been taboo back then.
Hooking up now, doesn’t mean meeting for coffee.
There is a Tim McGraw song that I like, a play on words, as most country songs are:
“Back when”
My point is not to offend, so don’t take any…mom:)
here is an excerpt:
Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack’s what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I’m down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when…