Saturday 12 February 2011

Why is it.....

....that the third hand on the watch is called the second hand?

....that 'slow down' and 'slow up' mean the same thing?

....that 'fat chance' and 'slim chance' mean the same thing?

....called 'after dark' when it is really 'after light'?

....that a 'wise man' and 'wise guy' are opposites?

....that 'overlook' and 'oversee' mean opposite things?

....that 'abbreviated' is such a long word?

....that if horrific means horrible, then why doesn't terrific mean terrible?

..that when you transport something by car, it is called a shipment, but when you transport somethng by ship, it is called a cargo?

Thoughts for the day!!!
xxx

19 comments:

  1. Good point! i do enjoy your word plays.x

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  2. I love the way you boggle my brain sometimes! x

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  3. I love this little posts of yours. Just the thing to put a smile on my face :)

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  4. Hello! Thanks for your lovely comment. The layout of your blog looks great, too! It was different last time I stopped by. Hope you and yours are well and you're having a fab weekend :D xx

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  5. Yes, why is it?!? :) Great blog, great post.
    Greets from Belgium

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  6. Very well observed, thing like this make me smile ~ isn't language a difficult thing to grasp it's any wonder we all manage to learn it!
    Kandi x

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  7. Great post! Hope you are having a lovely weekend xxxxx

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  8. Hi Vanessa,

    Can't answer your questions. Wish I new the answer. It quite intriquest me :-)!

    Happy sunday!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

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  9. Oh I love this post, it is so funny. We all think these things, and you have 'hit the nail on the head'. Blooming Brilliant Bloggerxxxx

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  10. loving your post today, hope you had a good day, xx

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  11. I love word plays, however horrific means horrifying and terrific originally meant terrifying, so language is correct just the meaning of terrific has changed a tad over the years!

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  12. Great post! I'm loving the new look. xxx

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  13. And if a quiz is quizzical, what is a test?? :P he he

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  14. Us English speakers just like to confuse everyone else!

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  15. This was really great, a wonderful english-lesson for me. Oh yes, even if english is called easy to learn, it´s full of such funny special play on words.
    With my best wishes from Germany,
    Suzi

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  16. OK...non-PC alert here. It narks me when all these people who make their way to the UK for the 'good life' don't make any attempt to speak English. Then I read your post and can't blame them really!
    Z xx

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  17. I used to teach English as a Foreign Language, and the students always loved the lessons that discussed language differences like these! Hugs, Em x

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  18. LOL. You rock. Love this post, the gorgeous, inspiring pics + your blog. I'm a new follower, hope you're gonna follow back. All the best, talk soon
    www.rivierabrides.com

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