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#2 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:53 am English or english |
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Hi Tom,
As far as I know, the only way of spelling 'English' (when referring to the language or the nationality) correctly is with a capital e: names of languages and nationality words should be spelt with capital letters. However, it's quite common that people misspell words such words, and therefore you might well come across texts where 'English' is spelt 'english'. |
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Englishuser I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 806
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#3 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:39 am 'English' or 'english' |
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| Tom wrote: |
1- English 2- english
I am telling you for sure that I have seen the latter :D , though I do not seem to recall where. |
Hi Tom :D
My first clairvoyant episode of the day tells me you might have seen it in the following thread:
Do you have any regrets about things you've done? http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic8878-15.html#27950
(Please pay close attention to what Jamie wrote there --- in particular the "schmuck" part. :lol:)
My second clairvoyant episode wasn't really so clairvoyant. I just happend to spot the name of this website in the above link. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Amy
PS
| Quote: |
| 'English' (when referring to the language or the nationality) |
This begs the question: When does this word not refer to those things? Examples would be good. :?: _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#4 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:30 am 'English' or 'english' |
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. From the American Heritage Dict:
5. also english a. The spin given to a propelled ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist. b. Bodily movement in an effort to influence the movement of a propelled object. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#5 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:55 am 'English' or 'english' |
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Leave it to, Mr. M :lol:
Do you also happen to know whether this usage is connected with a specific sport or sports? And why it's thought to be English? :lol:
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#6 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:11 pm 'English' or 'english' |
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. Do you know this SITE,
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English (1) Look up English at Dictionary.com "people or speech of England," O.E. Englisc, from Engle (pl.) "the Angles," one of the Gmc. groups that overran the island 5c., supposedly so-called because Angul, the land they inhabited on the Jutland coast, was shaped like a fish hook (but how could they know this from the ground?). The term was used from earliest times without distinction for all the Gmc. invaders -- Angles, Saxon, Jutes (Bede's gens Anglorum) -- and applied to their group of related languages by Alfred the Great. In pronunciation, "En-" has become "In-," but the older spelling has remained. Meaning "English language or literature as a subject at school" is from 1889.
English (2) Look up English at Dictionary.com "spin imparted to a ball" (as in billiards), 1860, from Fr. angl? "angled," which is similar to Anglais "English." |
Yank? . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#7 (permalink) Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:17 pm 'English' or 'english' |
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Hi MM
Yes, I do know that site. But I hadn't looked there for an answer. Thanks. Billiards sounds like a logical possibility. Unfortunately I'm not a pool player --- unless it's a pool filled with water, that is. :lol:
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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| Pole and its collocations | Can I say do hired labour or perform hired labour? |