Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby cactuspete » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:58 am

surfsteve wrote:
cactuspete wrote:When did the middle finger become offensive?
I didn't realize that this gesture has been around for so long. I just assumed it was a modern invention.
:thumb:
Ancient Greek philosophers, Latin poets hoping to sell copies of their works, soldiers, athletes and pop stars, school children, peevish policemen and skittish network executives have all been aware of the gesture's particular power to insult and enflame. "It's one of the most ancient insult gestures known," says anthropologist Desmond Morris. "The middle finger is the penis and the curled fingers on either side are the testicles. By doing it, you are offering someone a phallic gesture. It is saying, 'this is a phallus' that you're offering to people, which is a very primeval display."

LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16916263

Image
I get it...lol

Perhaps it's a subliminal expression indicating that I have passive-aggressive tendencies?!!
:up2:
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby BallaratBob » Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:33 am

A Historical? An Historical? :popcorn:
Here's an interesting article about how language changes over time. It talks mostly about the use of A and AN before words that start with H, but it makes a lot of general assertions about language change in general.
Notice that when you use a before the words, you fully aspirate the h, but when you use an, you do not--and the h sound very nearly disappears into the following vowel.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: http://grammartips.homestead.com/historical.html
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby panamint_patty » Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:23 am

Proper Spelling? Its Tyme to Let Luce!
Some words in the English language make no sense and so I've given up on being a perfect speller! But more often than not I do spell the words I write correctly, but not always. I'm no grammar or spelling Nazi and so if you misspell a word you won't hear me making a big deal about it!
:thumb:
English spelling is a terrible mess anyway, full of arbitrary contrivances and exceptions that outnumber rules. Why receipt but deceit? Water but daughter? Daughter but laughter? What is the logic behind the ough in through, dough, and cough? Instead of trying to get the letters right with imperfect tools, it would be far better to loosen our idea of correct spelling.

LINK: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/01/st_essay_autocorrect/
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby cactusoid » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:17 am

Spelling: A Rebuttal From Wired’s Copydesk
Someone on the staff at Wired Magazine didn't agree with the previous article (which appeared in Wired, BTW) and wrote a rebuttal! Let the spelling and grammar wars begin!!!
:popcorn:
But when what you’re writing actually matters; when you want to earn the reader’s trust by signaling that you’ve put real care into your blog post; and ultimately, when you care more about the reader’s experience than your own in writing it, you’ll make that small extra effort.

LINK: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/01/st_essay_autocorrect_rebuttal/
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby cactuspete » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:20 am

How To Write Readable - And Retweetable - Tweets
I'm not what you'd call a Twitterbug and I spend almost no time exploring the Twitterverse, but I still found this article interesting!
:thumb:
Twitter lets you post up to 140 characters in each messages, but pros shoot for tweets in the sweet spot of 100 to 120 characters. The reason is simple: that lets people add their own quick comment when they retweet your message to their followers. "Twitter's limit may be 140 characters, but the most-read Tweets are even shorter," said Greg Hakim, a senior account executive with the Boston-based public relations firm Corporate Ink. "Typical users scan Twitter's feed pretty quickly, and Tweets that are too long consistently get lost in the shuffle."

LINK: https://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_write_readable_-_and_retweetable_-_tweets.php
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby panamint_patty » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:24 am

7 Commonly Corrected Grammar Errors (That Aren't Mistakes)
1. Using the word "literally" when speaking figuratively
2. Use or misuse of "I'm good"
3. Splitting infinitives
4. The passive voice
5. Correct use of "less" and "fewer"
6. Incorrect use of "they"
7. Use of the word "hopefully"
Also stay tuned for an interesting discussion of "prescriptives" versus "descriptives" as these terms pertain to the rules of grammar.
:popcorn:
LINK: http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-commonly-corrected-grammar-errors-that-arent-mistakes/
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby wildrose » Fri May 18, 2012 8:09 am

Say Pleonasm: 9 Common Phrases Longer Than They Need to Be :pacman:
The list includes:
1. Nape of the neck
2. False pretense
3. Frozen tundra
4. Gnashing of teeth
5. Head honcho
6. Bleary-eyed
7. Veer off course
8. Ford a river
9. Safe haven
LINK: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/126901
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby desertrat » Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:11 am

Massachusetts Town Votes to Fine Cussing Residents
Twenty dollars for saying a naughty word?
:soap:
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby cactuspete » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:15 am

Town places fine on swearing
Better watch what you say when you visit this town! :wackywacky:
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby shadylady » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:52 am

Fucking Ridiculous Fine For Swearing
Is this freaking ridiculous or what?!! :mad002:
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby sandman » Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:53 am

Explainer: Why do Hitchhikers Stick Out Their Thumb?
Interesting origin and history of this meaningful gesture! :thumb2:
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Re: Words, Symbols, Language, etc.

Postby blackturtle.us » Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:07 am

Why I am an Atheist, NOT Agnostic.
Great rant on the meaning of the word ATHEIST!
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