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Post by Yuliya on Jul 3, 2004 5:48:05 GMT -5
On the other hand, it's like with the mystery of where babies come from - either parents have to teach their little ones or somebody else will.  It's not like that exchange student never watched TV. When I hear something like that, I always remember what happened during my second year in a college. There was a girl, brought up in a very decent manner by her mother and grandmother (no men at home.) Once she saw a certain Russian equivalent of a 4-letter word written on a wall near her campus room. She went back into the room and asked what it meant. I don't know how she managed not to know. If her friends were a little more mature or a little older, they would be able to explain it on any level that suited the poor girl. But they were very embarrassed and only laughed - not at her, out of embarrassment, but it was all the same for the girl. Wouldn't it have been better if she knew all aspects of the language? Besides, in different languages curses are off limits in different ways. The trouble with Hebrew, for instance, that they use their own, Russian ones, and those from Arabic, and I don't remember which ones are stronger. I think Russian ones are considered OK, for instance, for a spot indefinitely removed (such as in math) there is a corresponding Russian expression that an Israeli Math Prof can use freely but I wouldn't want to say in the presence of my mom. Confusing...  |
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Post by sparklingblue on Jul 3, 2004 11:22:59 GMT -5
I was actually taught British/American swear words in calss last year. I think you should at least know what they mean to avoid embarassment for yourself and your client. It doesn't mean that you have to use them all.
As for German ones, there is one that is considered rather mild and that I use sometimes. It's more Bavarian than standard German, though: Himmel-arsch-und-zwirn! ;D
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Post by curious george on Jul 3, 2004 19:40:17 GMT -5
So do we get a translation for that? Isn't "Himmel" heaven, or am I way off base? btw, I was thinking of this topic last night reading a British author who very casually refers a couple of times to someone "humping" something -- from context, that apparently means lugging it around.  For those of you who speak British English, that's not an expression you'd want to use here.  ;D cg |
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Jul 3, 2004 21:57:43 GMT -5
Loved the article about Castro and his desire for an American $10 bill. I was thinking it would be fun to make a copy of his letter, enclose a $10 bill, and send it to him. Does anyone know his zipcode? Well, I don't know what's been going on here -- ignoring posts and whatever -- but I'm just getting back from lack-of-computer-land. Don't ask. It's not a fun place to be. One thing I know is that computers are very strange things. This one started acting up about six months ago and I gave up on it. Two days ago I turned it on just to see what it would do, and the thing is working!!! So my advice is to let bad computers linger in the corner quietly for some time and it just might surprise you and spark new life. This isn't the first time this has happened. Strange! I'm sorry I never learned any bad words in other languages. Actually, I'm sorry I hear bad words in English.  But the "humping" comment is interesting. I know what that means here in the USofA. ;D And I know when the British want to know if we want to be knocked up, we shouldn't be surprised. "What time should I knock you up in the morning?" "Oh, whenever you get up is fine with me, Pierce." |
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Post by sparklingblue on Jul 4, 2004 2:09:32 GMT -5
"What time should I knock you up in the morning?" "Oh, whenever you get up is fine with me, Pierce." ;D ;D ;D You are right on base, cg! "Zwirn" is a thread you need for sewing, and the other word refers to a person's backside. Shocked? ;D And thanks for the alerts on the differences of meaning, Myrtle and cg! |
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Post by Ace on Jul 4, 2004 4:54:36 GMT -5
Loved the article about Castro and his desire for an American $10 bill. I was thinking it would be fun to make a copy of his letter, enclose a $10 bill, and send it to him. Does anyone know his zipcode? ;D I'm sure hed appreciate it. Cuba needs the money. My computer was running really sluggshly. Thought maye I downloaded some ad software or a virus. I rescanned even though I already scan regualry. Noting. I updated my virus softare even though I just did that a couple days ago. Nothing. I downloaded other virus idntifiers and checked. Still Nothing. Still slow. I did a thorgh scan of my hardrive... slow as hell and nothing and still Slow. Today turned it on, it's fine. Guess it needed a "rest" On Steele I always wondered how Pierce kept a staright face saying things like "hello nice little American shag" and asking Laura how fanny" was her dance when "fanny" in Brit speak is a certain part of the female anatomy one usually doesn't mention in U.S. PG-13 programming unless it's the name of a Bond heroine or coupled with the word cat. *snort* Ace |
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Post by curious george on Jul 4, 2004 7:22:18 GMT -5
The things one learns on this board...! LOL Myrtle, I have also come across the expression to "beat someone up" which apparently means to meet them. Not exactly an invitation to extend in the U.S., either. I'll have to keep an eye out for more of these as the fiction I am currently reading is by a British author. Just for fun, I recommend a quick run through British English, A to Zed. Too reference-like to simply sit down and read, but humorous in its explanation of British terms which Americans may come across in transatlantic conversations. You can just flip through it and look for phrases you know or skim several pages at a time. cg edit: by Norman W Shcur |
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Post by sparklingblue on Jul 4, 2004 9:52:38 GMT -5
On Steele I always wondered how Pierce kept a staright face saying things like "hello nice little American shag" and asking Laura how fanny" was her dance when "fanny" in Brit speak is a certain part of the female anatomy one usually doesn't mention in U.S. PG-13 programming unless it's the name of a Bond heroine or coupled with the word cat. *snort* ;D Though I do remember him trying to hide a little smirk. But that could also be an interpretation on my part. |
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Post by Yuliya on Jul 4, 2004 12:28:10 GMT -5
There was also something about giving one a lift - I don't think the expression should be used in the States these days. Did I confuse it with something else? I'm not up to speed with this kind of stuff. On Steele I always wondered how Pierce kept a staright face saying things like "hello nice little American shag" and asking Laura how fanny" was her dance when "fanny" in Brit speak is a certain part of the female anatomy one usually doesn't mention in U.S. PG-13 programming unless it's the name of a Bond heroine or coupled with the word cat. *snort* Or used by Mrs. Marcall (e.i., an American character in a PG-13 show.) In one of the recently aired PB-rlated programs, Bio, I think, Chris Columbus said he cast PB as Stew in Mrs. Doubtfire because he needed a highly trained actor to play against Robin Williams. They'd do a scripted take and then 20 more allowing Williams to do anything he wanted. In the scene at the restaurant, while Mrs. Doubtfire tells Stu all that noncense about Miranda, there's moment when there's a flicker of laughter in PB's eyes and his mouth is beginning to cringe. Columbus said he chose that particular take for the movie because it was the only take for all the scenes where PB was close to cracking up - all other times he kept his calm no matter what Williams did. |
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Post by curious george on Jul 4, 2004 13:27:57 GMT -5
There was also something about giving one a lift - I don't think the expression should be used in the States these days. Did I confuse it with something else? I'm not up to speed with this kind of stuff. I'm probably not up to speed, but as far as I know, "giving someone a lift" still means providing transportation. If one of the younger folks has a newer meaning, we're all ears. I've often thought it must be really difficult to work with someone like RW just for that reason. There's that scene with him in the social worker's office where he does some rapid-fire patter - can't remember exactly what - and you can see her shoulders starting to shake (you only get a back view). Happened to have TVland on last night and watched a few minutes of what I thought was an old Carol Burnett show. Tim Conway was doing a sketch with Sandy Duncan (one or two of you folks might remember her ) and she was cracking up something awful. As it turned out, it was Flip Wilson's show (another "whatever happened to....?"), and he was amazingly straight-faced as Conway went further and further into ad libs. That is impressive that PB could maintain a role in the face of RW's lunacy. cg |
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Post by sparklingblue on Jul 5, 2004 0:41:09 GMT -5
In one of the recently aired PB-rlated programs, Bio, I think, Chris Columbus said he cast PB as Stew in Mrs. Doubtfire because he needed a highly trained actor to play against Robin Williams. They'd do a scripted take and then 20 more allowing Williams to do anything he wanted. In the scene at the restaurant, while Mrs. Doubtfire tells Stu all that noncense about Miranda, there's moment when there's a flicker of laughter in PB's eyes and his mouth is beginning to cringe. Columbus said he chose that particular take for the movie because it was the only take for all the scenes where PB was close to cracking up - all other times he kept his calm no matter what Williams did. I always admired how he kept a straight face in his scenes with RW. I don't know how often I've watched this movie, but some lines still crack me up. |
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Post by steeleinc on Jul 5, 2004 9:32:22 GMT -5
>There was also something about giving one a lift - I don't think the expression should be used in the States these days. Did I confuse it with something else?
Here in the south,' to give someone a lift' means to provide them with transportation. I've never heard it used any other way.
Debra
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Post by Yuliya on Jul 5, 2004 12:22:33 GMT -5
Like I said, I'm not entirely sure; I can't find anything to support my words nor can I contact the person who said that anymore. If I'm right, it may be very regional. A couplt of years ago I was told that "to give somebody a lift" was to perform oral sex. Actually, I thougt the apropriate American expression was to "give a ride" and "give a lift" wasn't used at all. Did I confuse that, too? Shows how often I use those expressions.
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Post by Ace on Jul 5, 2004 12:39:38 GMT -5
I've heard lift and ride used pretty much interchangeably in regards to transportation. I've never heard that ahem other connotaion to the phrase. Ace |
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Post by curious george on Jul 5, 2004 14:39:00 GMT -5
:: debates on making a remark about relationship between name of this thread and what is currently being discussed :: :: decides to ignore possibilities :: cg |
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Post by Yuliya on Jul 6, 2004 8:55:39 GMT -5
(:: And gives herself away  CG, don't you pretend to be the modest one anymore, youre mind is in the same gutter with the rest of us. Like I said, I don't insist it's the right expression, and even if it is, it could be very regional. Just like a rotary - how many would use the word in a traffic-related context? |
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Post by curious george on Jul 6, 2004 11:25:53 GMT -5
Me?? :: bats big brown innocent eyes ::
What does a "rotary" have to do with traffic? Really, I don't know what you mean.
cg
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migs
Jewel Thief
Posts: 144
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Post by migs on Jul 6, 2004 16:55:18 GMT -5
I assume a "rotary" is a traffic circle/roundabout -- which people in the west don't know how to navigate properly  Drives me crazy Anyway, back to the thread . . . Apparently, you can buy a pair of XL jeans at the Gap for $10 migs |
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Post by Yuliya on Jul 7, 2004 9:59:11 GMT -5
In Gap Outlet - maybe, especially if they're on sale or on clearance. Migs is right, rotary is a traffic circle (US) or roundabout (UK); I don't think it's called a rotary anywhere outside of New England and it's not called anything else in New England. I just used the word to illustrate what I mean by some words/expressions being regional. But since we're talking about rotaries now - enjoy! www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htmIt's a real thing. It does exist. And just imagine - it all goes in the wrong direction.  (The URL was provided by Chayna quite a while ago and I liked it so much I bookmarked it.) |
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Post by curious george on Jul 7, 2004 11:55:58 GMT -5
People drive through that voluntarily?? cg
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It's not like that exchange student never watched TV.
;D
But the "humping" comment is interesting. I know what that means here in the USofA. ;D And I know when the British want to know if we want to be knocked up, we shouldn't be surprised.
CG, don't you pretend to be the modest one anymore, youre mind is in the same gutter with the rest of us. 
Drives me crazy 