Search found 13 matches

by DerekB
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:29 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Irritate
Replies: 2
Views: 954

Re: Irritate

Frequently (in the UK at least), confused with "aggravate". I find this irritating.
by DerekB
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:27 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Apothecary
Replies: 4
Views: 1634

Re: Apothecary

I have seldom, if ever, heard "druggist" used. I suspect that the obvious association with "recreational/illegal drug user" may reduce the likelihood of it being used in polite society.
by DerekB
Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:31 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Apothecary
Replies: 4
Views: 1634

Re: Apothecary

My own experience is that "the British" are increasing calling these businesses "pharmacies" and many, if not most, label themselves thus. There is a distinction between businesses that employ qualified pharmacists and are permitted to dispense medical prescriptions and those who...
by DerekB
Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:54 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Scavenger
Replies: 3
Views: 10363

Re: Scavenger

Quite right, but the Dec 20 Good Word lists the first meaning as "British) A street cleaner". To the best of my knowledge, the street cleaner meaning is no longer current in Britain and has not been for a very long time.
by DerekB
Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:13 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Good Words Five Days a Week
Replies: 22
Views: 40283

Re: Good Words Five Days a Week

I go along with much of what has already been said. I voted No because I cannot have too much of this sort of stimulation. I will confess that I do not at the moment even read the posts daily but I save them up so that I can have a little feast from time to time. Nothing wrong with a repeat now and ...
by DerekB
Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:50 pm
Forum: Grammar
Topic: Literally or Not
Replies: 17
Views: 47337

Re: Literally or Not

I completely accept that languages and meaning can change over time. "Literally" is one of many words that have become debased over time. I have my favourites that annoy me most and these are ones where numeric values have changed such as "decimate" = "reduce by one tenth&qu...
by DerekB
Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:17 pm
Forum: Grammar
Topic: The Case of the Sinister Buttocks
Replies: 4
Views: 18959

Re: The Case of the Sinister Buttocks

The article, especially the second example, shows the familiar problem of automated translation attempts where word-by-word dictionary lookups are used. More modern translation tools try to work on phrase or word-group matching and are often more successful because of it. I am reminded of the hilari...
by DerekB
Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:46 pm
Forum: Pronunciation
Topic: Uptalk
Replies: 4
Views: 22132

Re: Uptalk

I'm not at all sure that uptalk is completely new in British English. I am sure it has always been there as long as I can remember. In earlier days though, I would say that it was used in the context of repeating the sense of what someone else had said, possibly prefaced with "Do you mean to sa...
by DerekB
Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:30 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Brummagem
Replies: 1
Views: 4261

Brummagem

As well as fake etc., there is a general use of Brummagem, or more often Brummie (maybe Brummy) in connection with an assumption that the city's inhabitants are a little slow-witted or just plain dim. I hasten to add that this is not my own experience or judgment. A classic example is "Brummage...
by DerekB
Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:07 am
Forum: Spelling
Topic: into, inhere, within, herein
Replies: 4
Views: 21176

Re: into, inhere, within, herein

There are parallels in our language's German roots: darin= in there, in that or just inside; darunter = underneath (it) and similar.

Other like the Scottish "outwith" serve to leave one wondering about the subtle distinction from "without".
by DerekB
Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:02 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: STATESMAN
Replies: 8
Views: 16447

Anders, What's your position on the "man" as genderless suffix question? I am interested particularly as your tag "Irren ist männlich" is quite specific as to gender. I have occasionally wondered if was a deliberate choice. The version "Irren ist menschlich" is gender-f...
by DerekB
Sun Aug 14, 2005 5:56 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: TRENCHERMAN
Replies: 6
Views: 15599

Having only just ventured into this Agora, starting by seeming to disagree with the Good Dr Goodword is perhaps presumptuous. However , although not disputing the basic origin of trencherman , I had always been of the opinion that it is a formation from trencher , meaning a wooden plate or board on ...
by DerekB
Sat Aug 13, 2005 7:45 am
Forum: WELCOME HOME!
Topic: Welcome to our new Agora
Replies: 99
Views: 361803

Me too!

I have finally got round to dipping into the Alpha site, haven't really had a lot of time for Agoring recently. Looks good and lots of familiar names.

Hi to those who remember me from the other place.

Derek

Note for self: Must make more time for this sort of thing.

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