Lingusitics For those who enjoy language (not Njorl)

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The discussion revolves around the enjoyment of language, particularly through clever wordplay and puns in English. Numerous examples of humorous phrases are shared, showcasing the playful nature of language. The conversation then shifts to the linguistic characteristics of English, highlighting its amalgam nature, which incorporates vocabulary from various languages, primarily due to historical influences such as the Norman conquest and interactions with other cultures. The debate includes perspectives on the Germanic roots of English, with participants discussing the proportion of Germanic versus Latin-derived vocabulary. Some argue that English has a significant amount of borrowed words from languages like French, Latin, and even Arabic, while others emphasize its Germanic structure. The discussion also touches on the evolution of English and its unique characteristics, such as homonyms, which facilitate wordplay. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexity and richness of the English language, as well as the enjoyment derived from its playful aspects.
  • #51
Linguistic etiology and the study of female mitrochondrial DNA may indicate that we (arguably) all share a common genetic makeup as well as a common language root. 10’s of thousands of years ago in a cave our ancestors may have been speaking and using words we would recognize today. I guess “ma-ma” would be one of them. I suspect “no” would be commonly used by our ancestral females, as “please” would be by their male companions.
 
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  • #52
Originally posted by Monique
Njorl, you are not supposed to be enjoying this thread!

It's alright... I've stopped sulking now.

Anyway, what about the swear words we have in English, F*** and c***...these are old Anglo-Saxon words I believe, dating back to well before 1066. And Thursday is a Norse word - Thor's day.

We also have quite a few indian words such as pjamas, veranda..
Arabic such as the insult bint, algebra ...

I can think of loads more but have to go now..
 
  • #53
Originally posted by Adrian Baker
And Thursday is a Norse word - Thor's day.
I remember my boss telling me one day the meaning of all the day-names.. I wish I could remember it still..

Sunday: day of the sun
Monday: day of the moon (moonday)
Tuesday: Tiu's day, also Tyr: norse god of war
Wednesday: Wodan's day, also Odin: norse god of god of war, poetry, wisdom, and death
Thursday: Thor's day: norse god of thunder
Friday: Freya's day: norse goddess of sex, fertility, war, and wealth
Saturday: Saturn's day: Roman and Italic god of agriculture
 
  • #54
Originally posted by NileQueen
André:
I think my German uncle calls it an auto...PKW, LKW not to be confused with BMW? or VW

Ik wil graag het koets...het gouden koets, dat is, en sommige snOepje

Originally posted by Chroot Das ist alle lächelnden gelben Plastikgesichter für mich.
That is all smiling yellow plastic faces for me. !? :smile: :smile: :smile: like that? :wink:
 
  • #55
Originally posted by Monique
I remember my boss telling me one day the meaning of all the day-names.. I wish I could remember it still..

Sunday: day of the sun
Monday: day of the moon (moonday)
Tuesday: Tiu's day, also Tyr: norse god of war
Wednesday: Wodan's day, also Odin: norse god of god of war, poetry, wisdom, and death
Thursday: Thor's day: norse god of thunder
Friday: Freya's day: norse goddess of sex, fertility, war, and wealth
Saturday: Saturn's day: Roman and Italic god of agriculture

The seven days of the week come to us from ancient Babylonian science. Each day refers to a moving body in the sky ie Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

These meanings got lost in some languages, but in English we still have Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and in French we have Mardi, Mecredi, Vendredi and Jeudi.

Because the planets were such an influence on ancient thought we have sayings dating back to ancient Astrology such as a Mercurial temperament, or a Jovial character.

They also gave us the 360 degrees in a circle. They were pretty good scientists and mathematicians it appears.
 
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