Evolving English

[jjefferies]

It's so much fun to hear the English language evolving. An old friend from New Zealand sent out her yearly update on her family's activities. It was by e-mail and despite any overtones one might feel about such - my cousin's, the missionary one, is a bit much to read much less digest. But this one was interesting, as much about the animals, new, old, died, as the humans. But one passage was rather interesting when she mentioned that her son had gone "flatting" with his girl friend. Translation: they shacked up, moved in together, etc.

I wonder if this is a British'ism or just a New Zealand ism. First "door stepped"
and now "flatting". And I used to think that "SO" (significant other) was such an euphuism.

It's fun.

[Lady Quindecim]

Can we make them up? Repugnating should be one. When someone takes/does/says/uses something that would have or used to be cool and like totally ruins it with their lameness, forever making it repugnant.

edit: Like, for example, when there is this really cool thread on f.net and then I post on it, and it like totally dies because no one would be seen posting after. Then that thread would have been repugnated.
Or like, NHL's passing around female celebrities like tissue, then Mr Avery has to go and get quoted in the media. (yeah, I'm still bitter about it. I used to like the Stars, then they go and do that to him... Argh... I'll shut up now.)

[Fencergrl]

I love slang from different English speaking countries. I admit some is more difficult to follow than others... (the Scottish slang comes to mind).

On the flip side, it's hard to know when I (or my fellow Canadians) use Canadian slang. For instance, James used the word "gacked" (meaning to choke up during stress). Do Americans use this word?

[lefty_monster]

I love slang from different English speaking countries. I admit some is more difficult to follow than others... (the Scottish slang comes to mind).

On the flip side, it's hard to know when I (or my fellow Canadians) use Canadian slang. For instance, James used the word "gacked" (meaning to choke up during stress). Do Americans use this word?

No, we don't say gacked in the states. However, that is an awesome word!!! I'm gonna have to use it sometime...

[Fencergrl]

It's very "Bill the Cat-ish"

http://henrystrongingoldberg.blogspo...ll_the_cat.gif

[Timo]

Anyone else say baller?

[ATL Fencer]

I've always like the British slang term, "gobsmacked". From what I understand it means astounded, astonished, surprised, speechless, etc.

I really like it, it makes me laugh.

_____

If you want to just browse a bunch of slang; here's a fun website:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/

It seriously has like everything, including some very interesting and some somewhat obscene words.

[Fencergrl]

Anyone else say baller?

Need to use that one in a sentence or provide a definition.

[Fencergrl]

I've always like the British slang term, "gobsmacked".

Me too!

[ATL Fencer]

Anyone else say baller?

I'm a fan of the phrases "ballin'" and "pimpin'" to describe things. For example: "MBP: Most Ballinest Playa" (haha, Name that Tune!)

[Timo]

Need to use that one in a sentence or provide a definition.

Herr Tizzle is baller.
Mr. Tarr is really cool.

or

Are you serious? That was completely baller!
Are you serious? That's cheap... That shouldn't have worked... That's basically cheating!

Besides slang I think peoples accents are interesting.
I don't have an accent, I mean I do in the fact I speak American English, but inside the USA I am completely neutral.

[Fencergrl]

Nope... never heard "baller" used that way. It's American slang.

[Lady Quindecim]

I read the term "gorked" to indicate something was forced askew into an unnatural position. The book (contemporary fiction novel set in the future) had lots of other verb-ized nouns and peculiar conjugations.)

[Fencergrl]

Here's one... "Bunny Hug".

This is a Saskatchewan term for "Hoodies", or what we used to call them... "Kangaroo Jackets".

If you're still confused... sweatshirts with hoods and one long pocket in the front.

[Fencergrl]

"Clicks": Short for kilometres.

As in... "It's about 15 clicks down the road"

[Fencergrl]

You’s: Referring to more than one person

As in “You’s going to the movies tonight”?

[Philistine]

You’s: Referring to more than one person

As in “You’s going to the movies tonight”?

I've always seen it spelled "youse" in the northeast US. Most often in the context of "youse guys."

Or, as they say in Pittsburg--you'ns.

Personally, when I was in Texas, I picked up using "you all" (I could never really pull off a "y'all" that didn't leave me cringing in embarrassment) as a very useful way of making clear that "you" was plural in the appropriate situation.

--Philistine

[Fencergrl]

How about using the saying... "Keep the shiny side up" when someone is embarking on a long trip or driving in the snow.

Oddly enough, the reverse is also used (but not as often)... "Keep your dirty side down".

[latenight]

I've always seen it spelled "youse" in the northeast US. Most often in the context of "youse guys."

Or, as they say in Pittsburg--you'ns.

Personally, when I was in Texas, I picked up using "you all" (I could never really pull off a "y'all" that didn't leave me cringing in embarrassment) as a very useful way of making clear that "you" was plural in the appropriate situation.

--Philistine

NY and NJ maybe, but not in NE.

[latenight]

No, we don't say gacked in the states. However, that is an awesome word!!! I'm gonna have to use it sometime...

I've heard gacked before. It really all depends where in the US you are. It's a big place.