Search found 232 matches

by brogine
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Languages of the World
Topic: Got Your Number
Replies: 0
Views: 2083

Got Your Number

I don’t know if this belongs here, or on this forum at all. Howsomeverwise . . . . I’ve seen our Western Arabic numerals used with all kinds (possibly literally ) of writing systems, Arabic, Chinese, other Asian, and lots of others. (Notices from Kaiser include contact information in lots of differe...
by brogine
Wed Jan 17, 2024 7:36 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Word Search
Replies: 6
Views: 8940

Re: Word Search

It's not exact, but spoonerism comes to mind. The original wasn't intentional, but nearly anything you see nowadays called one, is. I’m remembering the very clever Two Ronnies , from BBC television. Wordplay-based humor I always found so much funnier than Monty Python , and way better than Rowan At...
by brogine
Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:50 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

Re: More Trivia

Pronunciation: slu (US), slaw (UK)”

Interesting. ‘Slaw’ would a fifth way to pronounce.
Unfortunately, this is not supported by the OED.

Maybe - and I think anyone is susceptible to this - it’s a regional variation so familiar it’s thought of without question as standard.
by brogine
Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

Re: More Trivia

Hi. Did you mean though ? Because through is one of the two most obvious ones. Matter of fact, it’s the usual pronunciation of your second slough . ‘Slough’ was an alternate spelling of ‘slow’ in Middle English, and ‘slow’ is given as a secondary pronunciation of ‘slough’-cum-‘morass’ in U.S. Englis...
by brogine
Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:47 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

Re: More Trivia

Enfin! Well, all both of you waiting . . . (I’ve always been an optimist, and apologies to Louis Jordan, by the by) . . . counting British English, (or Old or Middle English, if you’re doing a reading), there are four ways to pronounce s-l-o-u-g-h . To wit, depending on meaning, of course, it can r...
by brogine
Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:45 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Kvetch
Replies: 3
Views: 12634

Re: Kvetch

I’ve heard that usage and you’re perfectly right. Should have noted that. Supported by both sources mentioned. Thanks.
by brogine
Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:09 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Kvetch
Replies: 3
Views: 12634

Re: Kvetch

According to Leo Rosten’s The Joys of Yiddish - and HRH, the OED - the word derives from the German ‘quetschen’, ‘squeeze’ or ‘press’. Although Rosten cites several meanings, I think it’s safe to say that these days its near-exclusive use is yours, ‘complain’. Practitioners of the ancient art are (m...
by brogine
Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:58 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

Re: More Trivia

Still homonyms. Heteronyms are - independently - tear, lead, bow, and the ever-popular cetera.
by brogine
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

Re: More Trivia

Sorry, old son. Abbreviations need not apply. Anyway, those are homo nyms. Perusing my effluvia, though, I do see a few quad homonyms, although a couple exhibit scant respect for my strict principles on word games. Actually, I didn’t know ‘heteronym’, and discovered it searching the OED for words en...
by brogine
Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:56 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: More Trivia
Replies: 9
Views: 23465

More Trivia

Through assiduous shiftlessness, I have found a quadruple heteronym!
And it doesn’t involve Scottish English.
It will be revealed in a week or so. (I may need reminding.)
by brogine
Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:11 am
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Word Search
Replies: 6
Views: 8940

Re: Word Search

That is quite interesting, but we’re still missing its vocal cousin. Closer, but no cigars yet. I’ve just found this ‘obsolete’ word in the OED: missounding, ‘Erroneous or uneuphonious sounding (of music, words, etc.),’ which could include intentional application.
by brogine
Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:28 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Word Search
Replies: 6
Views: 8940

Word Search

Anyone know a word - I haven’t had any luck with reverse dictionaries - for ‘deliberate mispronunciation,’ - as for comedic or emotive effect? (Or ‘deliberate use of incorrect grammar,’ either.) I’m thinking of some very effective examples. I think such rhetorical devices may go back a long way, and...
by brogine
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:11 am
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Alternative Christmas hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 60728

Re: Alternative Christmas hymns

Tom Lehrer on Christmas: Christmas time is here, by golly, Disapproval would be folly. Deck the halls with hunks of holly, Fill the cup and don't say when. Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens, Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens. Even though the prospect sickens, Brother, here we go again. On Chris...
by brogine
Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:13 pm
Forum: Spelling
Topic: Dot’s de One!
Replies: 2
Views: 6269

Re: Dot’s de One!

I assumed the name adaptation came from the Spaniards,
and it was pronounced ‘we-HEE-hee.’
by brogine
Fri Dec 01, 2023 3:42 pm
Forum: Spelling
Topic: Dot’s de One!
Replies: 2
Views: 6269

Dot’s de One!

Came across this name in a novel . . . Wijiji.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wijiji

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