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 Fri Nov 02, 2007 17:53 pm feedback on tests |
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| Torsten wrote: | Hi Amy,
As for as I understand Alan just said that he has an impression and he senses an underlying hint in your comments. So what part of the following sentence might be untrue?
I get the impression that you are angry with anyone who comments on your comments about usage. Now don't bite my head off ! but I get a sense that when you make these comments, there is an underlying hint suggesting that a test writer using a certain word or expression not used, you say, in your country should not have the audacity to use it/them in the first place. |
My God, Torsten! How many times do I need to specifically write that I simply wanted to state usage information? Can't you comprehend why it's frustrating to have people repeatedly misinterpret a simple statement? I mean, even after having specifically stated several times (!) that I simply wanted to point out the lack of usage in the US, your continuing misinterpretation seems to be nothing more than intentional harassment.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 17:55 pm feedback on tests |
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Seems rather tenuous, Linda. Didn't you notice the spelling of "neighbour"? 
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:00 pm feedback on tests |
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| Linda wrote: | | Also, if anyone would like to Google the term, you will find a plentitude of references. Most of them are from the UK and Australia but as you can see from the links and the story above, there are some who live in the US and Canada who have used this word in their writing for the general public. |
So, are you trying to suggest, Linda, that the expression is in widespread general use in Canada? In the US? In North America? Probably not, right? So, just how widespread do you personally believe the expression is in North America?
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:14 pm feedback on tests |
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I would be interested in hearing your opinion on how widespread the general usage in the US and/or Canada is. I don't think you have actually stated an opinion about that yet, Linda.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:15 pm Mutton dressed as lamb |
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It's widespread enough that a journalist used it in her writing - that is published for the general public to read - in Toronto, Canada and another woman from Austin, Texas used it on her blog as well. I provided the link for both of them so I'm not sure what you're trying to say here.
As well, "our" spellings are standard in Canada and they are used all the time.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:20 pm feedback on tests |
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The word "neighbor" is standardly spelled without a "u" in Texas and the rest of the US. So the British spelling suggests "not native to the US" to me.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:23 pm feedback on tests |
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As far as my opinion goes, I have heard the expression before and I'm from North America - born and raised. I haven't polled anyone about it so I don't know how widespread it is. However, I have heard the expression before. So, if I've heard the expression before then the possibility of others hearing it and using it is reasonable. It may not be as widespread as "dressed to kill" but how often do you use the expression "Dressed to kill?" I can't remember the last time I said it but I have heard it before and I know what it means.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:27 pm Returning to our muttons |
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Hi Amy,
It's intriguing to imagine you doing market research with your neighbours about 'mutton-lambgate' and you discovering they don't know what it means! and they have British connections, too! What is the world coming to? They should hasten to the site and expand their knowledge of English. I can see as a precaution in future we shall have to add a caveat to expressions of British/Canadian/Australian origin with the warning: Not known in Mystic Seaport, southeast Connecticut.
Alan
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 18:43 pm feedback on tests |
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You know, Alan, this is not the first time I've talked to people specifically about language. I've been doing it for years. And not just in Connecticut. Why? Because of what I do. Why in the world should it be difficult to imagine a language teacher being interested in language and usage? So, why the need for sarcasm simply because I happen to be interested in how people say things? And why the sarcasm simply because I decided to get some fresh input from people around here? Is it not allowed to add specific idioms to my list of things I'd like to get people to talk about? Do you somehow think I'm "cheating" because I dare to ask people questions about language?
If you would like more extensive research, I would be happy to accept your financing of the project. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll just have to settle for the fact that I have lived and worked in quite a number of areas in the US and have also made it a point over the years to speak to people from all over the country specifically for language input.
EDIT:
By the way, what exactly do you mean by "neighbours"? Do you think I talk about language only with people who live on the same street I live on? Only in the same town? If you thought either one of those, then I'm afraid you've jumped to an incorrect conclusion.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 19:06 pm feedback on tests |
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Sarcasm is clearly the wrong word to describe what I intended as nothing more serious than gentle humour. I fear despite the common language we shall never be able to communicate with each other. You read things into what I write that astound me - who's talking about 'being allowed to .....' ? who's talking about 'cheating'? Entirely in your imagination, not in my intention. Sad, really.
Alan
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 19:21 pm feedback on tests |
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| Alan wrote: | | You read things into what I write that astound me |
Same here. So it seems you ought to be able to understand why I don't like the fact that you do precisely the same thing. Yes, quite sad.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 19:46 pm feedback on tests |
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| Linda wrote: | | As far as my opinion goes, I have heard the expression before and I'm from North America - born and raised. I haven't polled anyone about it so I don't know how widespread it is. However, I have heard the expression before. So, if I've heard the expression before then the possibility of others hearing it and using it is reasonable. It may not be as widespread as "dressed to kill" but how often do you use the expression "Dressed to kill?" I can't remember the last time I said it but I have heard it before and I know what it means. |
Well, at least I agree with you that "dressed to kill" would be a generally well-known expression in the US. Sorry, but I still disagree that the other expression is in widespread general use here. To me, it is simply an unknown expression. It might pop up somewhere from time to time, but to me it's not something people generally use or readily understand. So, I suppose we'll have to leave it at that. We'll simply have to agree to disagree.
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| Fri Nov 02, 2007 22:07 pm feedback on tests |
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Thanks for the link, Tom. You certainly did have to go into a good bit of detail with us back then, didn't you? Isn't it amazing how people from other parts of the world can be so completely baffled by two seemingly simple words? 
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