27 Feb 13
2 edits
Originally posted by SoothfastThe reason is simple. The story is just so good that everyone is reluctant to put it aside.
Strange. Okay. Seemingly my textbooks and every resource I can find on this particular issue is outright wrong or false. I wonder how it could be so.
But there are, indeed, numerous untrue claims about language ( "The Eskimos have fifty words for snow", etc). Years ago I remember reading Bill Bryson's book on the English language, Mother Tongue, in which I was confidently assured that there are no swear words in Finnish, and that the Finns were obliged to adopt the word "Ravintolassa" ( "in the restaurant" ) as a makeshift alternative. I entertained this belief for some years until I met a Finnish girl who told me that this was absolute nonsense.
By this time, however, I had spread the story around many of my friends. To this day, if I am in the company of one or other of these friends and wish to swear discreetly in public, I do so by saying "Oh, ravintolassa".
27 Feb 13
Originally posted by TeinosukeA language without swear words is just too horrific a thing to contemplate!
The reason is simple. The story is just so good that everyone is reluctant to put it aside.
But there are, indeed, numerous untrue claims about language ( "The Eskimos have fifty words for snow", etc). Years ago I remember reading Bill Bryson's book on the English language, Mother Tongue, in which I was confidently assured that there are no swear words ...[text shortened]... e friends and wish to swear discreetly in public, I do so by saying "Oh, ravintolassa".
I do have fifty words for snow, though. All of them swear words.
27 Feb 13
1 edit
Originally posted by TeinosukeIf it is some solace to you, "ravintolassa" does in fact mean "in (the/a) restaurant". Finns do have swear words, but they don't swear often - any kind of public display of emotion is rare.
The reason is simple. The story is just so good that everyone is reluctant to put it aside.
But there are, indeed, numerous untrue claims about language ( "The Eskimos have fifty words for snow", etc). Years ago I remember reading Bill Bryson's book on the English language, Mother Tongue, in which I was confidently assured that there are no swear words e friends and wish to swear discreetly in public, I do so by saying "Oh, ravintolassa".
27 Feb 13
Originally posted by whodeyWell Whodey...considering American's are among the poorest educated in the industralized world, I'd say he's right.
John Kerry flew all the way to Berlin to deliver a speech, and in that speech he declared one thing, Americans have the right to be stupid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnfi4m07s4M
And he will defend the public education system to the death as is in order to defend the right to be stupid.
Other notable speeches in Berlin includes:
JFK: "Ich bin ...[text shortened]... "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
And now this? My, how far we have "progressed".
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27 Feb 13
Originally posted by sasquatch672"I would have chosen my words far more carefully than he did, lest he get some wild-eyed conservative like me needlessly up in arms."
I would have chosen my words far more carefully than he did, lest he get some wild-eyed conservative like me needlessly up in arms.
You won't know this, unless you pay extremely close attention. The Erican media are always complaining how Obama and anyone who works for him are always being "taken out of context". Always. Why do they continue to say things that are so easily misinterpreted?
Sasquatch, I am trying to imagine words that would keep you from getting needlessly up in arms. 😀