Etymology Game

Quote: Fleastiff

What about the English (UK) sentence: I should sit down. This means, of course, you should sit down.

I never heard that.

Quote: Pacomartin

I never heard that.

Well, its obvious you've never been nicked in the UK... cause that is what a police officer would say to you there whereas in the USA a cop would bark "Sit Down" at you.

Quote: Fleastiff

I agree that ebonics should not be elevated to being acceptable but what about such words as 'aggravate'? Should we teach that it means 'to annoy' merely because so many ignorant people think that it means to annoy rather than to increase?

To be honest, that's what I thought it meant. I'm in a good mood, so no suspension for the insult.

Quote: Dictionary.com

aggravate:

2. to annoy; irritate; exasperate:
His questions aggravate her.

Quote: Pacomartin

My question is not to teach Ebonics and standard English, but if some ancient English forms should be revived. However some of the old forms are still part of AAVE.

I have no problem with a university offering education in ancient English. Nor nearly-extinct languages. However, we shouldn't be wasting time on it as a required course at any level. I don't see how knowledge of that leads to any meaningful employment.

Quote: Wizard

I don't see how knowledge of that leads to any meaningful employment.

You find that in the pursuit, one thing leads to another.
It's something that still continues to astound me, what
gems I find in the oddest places. He who looks, finds.
It's not looking at all that's the travesty.

Quote: Wizard

To be honest, that's what I thought it meant. I'm in a good mood, so no suspension for the insult.

Next thing you will be telling us is that you pronounce 'comptroller' as KOMPTROLLER instead of as CONTROLLER because that is what dictionaries now allow.

Old Spice means quality said the Captain to the Bosun...... and also to the Boatswain.

Quote: Wizard

I have no problem with a university offering education in ancient English. Nor nearly-extinct languages. However, we shouldn't be wasting time on it as a required course at any level. I don't see how knowledge of that leads to any meaningful employment.

It should be mandatory.

It riles me to hear "Ye Olde Bookshoppe" pronounced as 'YEE' instead of 'THE'.

Anyone want to try for the derivation of 'posh'?

Note: Those who offer Port Ootbound, Starboard Homeward will be shot.

Quote: Fleastiff

Next thing you will be telling us is that you pronounce 'comptroller' as KOMPTROLLER instead of as CONTROLLER because that is what dictionaries now allow.

I would if I ever had need to say the word. I'm not sure I ever have.

Quote: Wizard

I would if I ever had need to say the word. I'm not sure I ever have.

OED says either pronunciation is acceptable: /kənˈtrəʊlə/ or /kɒmpˈtrəʊlə/

It is listed as a mistake that was made over 500 years ago.

Quote: Wizard

I have no problem with a university offering education in ancient English. Nor nearly-extinct languages. However, we shouldn't be wasting time on it as a required course at any level. I don't see how knowledge of that leads to any meaningful employment.

I don't think the professors are suggesting a new required course, just a modification of existing class so that "Who be eating cookies?" is not simply dismissed as bad grammar. It just has an alternative meaning than "Who is eating cookies?".