English Language & Usage: Multi-Layered Discourse Room - 2015-09-09

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12:23 AM

@Mazura Alea jacta est.

1:15 AM

@tchrist I'm totally on the fence as to whether I should support this. But looking at the logic, I can't help but sleep in the bed that I've made (aside from the fact I think it's gone on long enough). So be it.

@Cerberus: imgur.com/gallery/N5ugb1A

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

1:30 AM

@MikeEdenfield thank you.

1 hour later…

2:32 AM

2

A: Why does "ow" have two different sounds

The words now and snow have never rhymed in the history of English. Both of them are native English words; they did not come into English from Dutch or German. (Rather, English, Dutch and German all descend from a common ancestor, Proto-Germanic; that is why these three languages have similar wor...

user image

Upvote please.

6 hours later…

9:03 AM

[ SmokeDetector ] Offensive title detected: eh forget it, fucking hate these communities for a reason, dick by Anonymous on english.stackexchange.com

2 hours later…

11:16 AM

@MattE.Эллен: I edited the controversial "Are we getting tense" question to include a link to the recent ELU Blog article.

Matt E. Эллен

oh, great! thanks :D

Matt E. Эллен

11:45 AM

Interesting to note that none of the example include "I have been eaten", or "I will have been eaten".

Ollow

What's the difference between survey and questionnaire?

The question exists on main, but the answers don't seem that reliable to me

0

Q: Survey vs. Questionnaire?

What is the difference between a survey and a questionnaire? Which word would be more appropriate in a report?

meaning terminology

@MattE.Эллен No chickens or pigs will find it exhaustive in that case.

Matt E. Эллен

@Robusto I hope they don't ever learn English...

@Gigili you don't questionnaire the land

all questionnaires are surveys. not all surveys are questionnaires

Animal Farm is an allegorical and dystopian novella by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalin era in the Soviet Union. Orwell, a democratic socialist, was a critic of Joseph Stalin and hostile to Moscow-directed Stalinism, an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. The Soviet Union, he believed, had become a brutal dictatorship, built upon a cult of personality and enforced by a reign of terror. In a letter to Yvonne...

Too late.

Matt E. Эллен

:-s

12:00 PM

> All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

@MattE.Эллен OK, but they both are a type of form of short questions seeking for short answers. Right?

Matt E. Эллен

@Gigili no

for example, people get their houses surveyed, by surveyors. this is not a questionnaire

geological surveys are not questionnaires

The word "survey" has a much broader meaning of looking over something, while a questionnaire only concerns questions.

Matt E. Эллен

aye

12:19 PM

Oh that makes... sense

Thank you @Matt

Matt E. Эллен

no problems

ELU has an opportunity to get its first Reversal badge.

how backwards is that :P

The most backwards.

@Matt: What are you doing to celebrate the Queen's longest-ever living monarchy?

news.google.com/news/…

Matt E. Эллен

12:38 PM

Sweet FA. Did she turn up to my birthday? No. So why should I do anything for her?

Sweet FAs are in season now. Enjoy them while they're ripe

@Robusto Isn't there a shorter term for standing on the pedals (when going up hill), an English equivalent of French "en danseuse"?

Matt E. Эллен

"Five things you can do in London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's historic reign
1. The Thames"

@crl I've always called it "honking" up the hill.

Matt E. Эллен

I can do the Thames?

12:40 PM

I've done the thames

@MattE.Эллен If you can't, you're not a true Englishman, I guess.

It's not particularly comfortable

Matt E. Эллен

lol

5 things that fill out a piece of screen real estate that makes the advertisers pay you and brings users eyes to the site having absolutely nothing connected with reality, and effing Queen of England!

No effing ER2 in this chat.

12:43 PM

I have nothing for or against the QofE. I'm sure she's a something something girl (botched Beatles reference)

But she doesn't have a lot to say.

It's better that way. People talk too much.

@Robusto nice thanks

she's a day tripper

@crl En danseuse is a little too fruity, IMO.

12:46 PM

I mean if the monarchy was abolished then what would we do? We'd still complain about that pothole in front of ur house...well our neighbors but we pass by it.

@Robusto hehe, what do you mean with 'fruity'?

colorful?

Too much fiber

Has corners

lul

Or is square

@Mitch seeds

12:46 PM

FRUITY FRUITY FRUITY EXTENDED VERSION

Seedy is different

@crl No. It's a crude synonym for "effeminate."

Gone to seed is ratty and unkempt

Holy crap I've been kidding about how all words are dead metaphors. But they really are

Ie sometimes French in English is ok other time a little to lah-dee-dah

they shouldn't be used à gogo

Whiskey a go go

12:55 PM

It's all a matter of style. If it works for you, use it. And be aware that the part of your brain that is worrying about this issue right now is not the part that helps you as a writer to get the story down. Much of the time your "editor brain" will simply edit the life out of anything you do. I speak from experience. — Robusto 2 mins ago

If you start with a boring story, and edit a lot, it comes out the other side

Like beckett

Or Joyce. What the hell was up with that dude? At least add a car chase or jumping in front of a train or something

@MattE.Эллен You may not know it, but she was present at your birthday. She attended incognito. And now she thinks you're an ungrateful wretch for not reciprocating.

Matt was just establishing his superiority

In the crib

*incognita

Puts her in her place

Matt E. Эллен

12:59 PM

@Robusto I'd best rush off to do the Thames, then!

> ǁ incognita /ɪnˈkɒgnɪtə/, /-ˈniːtə/, a. and sb.1
Etymology: Ital. incognita, fem. of incognito unknown.

A. adj. Of a female: Unknown or disguised; having one’s identity concealed or unavowed.

1668 Dryden Mock Astrol. iii. Wks. 1701 I. 303 ― Being thus incognita, I shall discover if he make love to any of you.
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C’tess Mar 3 Aug., ― I walked almost all over the town yesterday, incognita, in my slippers.
1884 Rita Vivienne v. v, ― She would go to Naples incognita.

Perhaps she was in drag.

Ever noticed that every time Matt walks into the board room with the queen, she stands up? It's like that

@MattE.Эллен It may be a little late for that. Her feelings were somewhat ruffled.

Matt E. Эллен

Now, I wonder, was she my mum, my dad or my girlfriend...

@Mitch He is the most interesting man in the world?

Matt E. Эллен

1:01 PM

lol

So it should be terra incognita?

@Mitch Please be rhetorical. Please.

@tchrist Well, I think we should focus more on the plural form, since that is what a monarch tends to use.

Incognitae non sumus.

Terrae incognitoribus

Matt E. Эллен

1:02 PM

terror uncogito

terroir?

Matt E. Эллен

terrier

terreur

Along with all other insects, there's a die-off of monarchs.

Matt E. Эллен

speak of the dog

1:04 PM

They're all going to the same place as unmatched socks and ballpoint pens.

Matt E. Эллен

ballpoint pens all live on a planet

@Mitch Every beehive that dies hosts the death of a queen.

Not to speak of three men

Was Trinidad Silva three actors in one?

Matt E. Эллен

earthstar.co.uk/biros.htm

1:05 PM

@Robusto Of all three genders.

They've all been placed in the stars, if by stars is meant a web page image

Third gender and third sex are concepts covering individuals categorized, either by themselves or by society, as neither man nor woman. It also describes a social category present in those societies that recognize three or more genders. The term third is usually understood to mean "other"; some anthropologists and sociologists have described fourth, fifth, and "some" genders. The concepts of "third", "fourth" and "some" genders can be somewhat difficult to understand within Western conceptual categories. Although biology determines whether a human's chromosomal and anatomical sex is male, female...

@tchrist They died for your sins.

> Trinidad was dubbed the "Sex Change Capital of the World", because a local doctor had an international reputation for performing sex reassignment surgery. In the 1960s, Dr. Stanley Biber, a veteran surgeon returning from Korea, decided to move to Trinidad because he had heard that the town needed a surgeon. In 1969 a local social worker asked him if he would perform the surgery for her, which he learned by consulting diagrams and a New York surgeon.

@crl women, fire, and dangerous things

1:07 PM

Uh-oh, Wikipedia is asking for money again.

> Biber attained a reputation as a good surgeon at a time when very few doctors performed the operations. At his peak, Biber was performing roughly four sex change operations a day, and the term "taking a trip to Trinidad" became a euphemism for some seeking the procedures he offered.

There's a page on the internet that describes how to do surgery. Follow that.

Biber: Snip. Next!

Justin time.

Oh. There's like a hundred you tubes for that kind of surgery.

Found one for do it yourself gall bladder removal.

There should be a YouTuba channel featuring only people playing that largest and lowest of brass instruments.

1:11 PM

The hard part is getting the meds right. Enough pain relief that you can continue with the cutting, but not too much that you forget what you are doing.

2

Q: A word for an array of colours? (see description)

I'm looking for a word or phrase, if there is one, that is similar to the phrase "spectrum of colours" or "array of colours" something to describe the fact that there are several different colours from all over the spectrum of colours. I'm using it in a sentence akin to "The light glinted off o...

single-word-requests phrase-requests

Because there's little more annoying than to wake up and realize you haven't finished removing your own gall bladder.

That would have been auto-protected if only we had had our setting at 3 not 5.

Shall we check back tomorrow to see what the count is? :)

YouTuba?

Matt E. Эллен

@tchrist how does one set the count?

1:13 PM

@MattE.Эллен Ask a CM to fix it. ELL is set to 3 but we're set to 5. Code Golf is set to 20.

Matt E. Эллен

@tchrist I see.

18

A: Auto-protect questions that get more than N answers from new users in a 24-hour period

This has been implemented pretty much as described in the question and is now deployed across the network. Default threshold is 5 answers in 24 hours (by new users i.e. users who earned less than 10 reputation on the site, excluding any association bonuses), at the point of which the question ge...

1:45 PM

Hello.

Is that really such a problem?

Look at any question that gets a lot of low-quality answers.

0

Q: Frame question to which the following statement is answer. Use the question word given in bracket:

Without making any noise, the thief crept near the steel cupboard.(how)

grammar grammaticality questions

Speaking of low quality . . .

Useless title.

-1

Q: What does mean 'though' and when we use it?

I have some problems with using and understanding sentences with 'though'. for example: He's a good friend though he makes me angry sometimes. This is intelligibly for me but yesterday I was watching a youtube video and one girl said "you have nice shirt though". Why did she use "though" in t...

meaning grammar word-usage

And more . . .

@MattE.Эллен The Queen is very much like the American Santa Claus. You never see her at your birthday, but you always know she's been there because of all the rich presents you receive. And if you didn't receive any, or they aren't very good? Then you have been a naughty boy, and are being punished.

Moral: Don't piss off Her Majesty!

Matt E. Эллен

@Robusto true, she might take my head

1:58 PM

She knows when you've been sleeping
She knows when you're awake
She knows when you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

Sung in the best mead halls.

She knows when you've been sleeping
She knows when you're awake
She knows when you've been bad or good
So be good or loose your head!

And when was the last time anybody called her "Ring Giver"? That one hurts most, I bet.

She knows when you've been sleeping
Or when you're out of bed
She knows when you've been bad or good
So be good or loose your head!

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

Everyone always forgets that she's not just the British queen, she's also the Queen of Canada. Even Canadians forget. Even she forgets.

Songs gotta rhyme, @terdon.

Bah

You've obviously never heard this:

The Folk Song Army by Tom Lehrer

2:01 PM

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 South Park even forgot. They refer to the Prince of Canada. I guess that could mean Charles, though.

@terdon Au contraire, mon blockhead.

Well then, I don't matter if you put a couple of extra syllables into a line!

Obviously "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is not a folk song.

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

@Robusto ugh. Don't remind me. One day we'll have to put him on all our money.

No, the pertinent line is "It don't even gotta rhyne."

Even better, true.

Though I think you meant rhine.

2:03 PM

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 You could rebel at that point. It would make him feel worse than he already does, I bet.

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

Anyway Elizabeth has been the longest reigning monarch in Canada for years now, seeing as Victoria had already been queen for quite some time when Canada was formed.

@Robusto I think we should try to convince one of the next-in-lines to defect, come to Canada, and form a new succession. Or better still, form a republic.

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 Bullshit. Canada was formed hundreds of millions of years ago. If Victoria had been queen for quite some time by then Elizabeth wouldn't now hold the record.

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

@Robusto Nah, that's just the land where Canada is placed.

BTW, I think Elizabeth did it just to get into the Guinness Book of Records. Advice from her publicist, probably.

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

Yeah she needs the press to stay in the public eye so that she can keep making money.

2:06 PM

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 So you're saying Canada could exist independent of the land? There could be some kind of mental Canada similar to "My Own Private Idaho"?

Mr. Shiny and New 安宇

@Robusto Yes, sure. Kinda like how currency works. It exists because enough people believe it exists.

Canada is a state of mind, then. Is it a drunk state of mind?

After a few beers, people say, "Wow, I just got to Canada."

Or "Don't even try to wake him up. He's in Canada."

1

A: Is there a name for “fear of olives” in English?

Elaeophobia or eleophobia Phobias are productive in English, by which I mean that in English when one wants to describe a speciﬁc phobia, one simply identiﬁes the corresponding Ancient Greek word to the thing feared and then attaches ‑phobia to it. This is an open set because people’s fears are...

TED said the same thing one minute later than me. :)

Although at less length.

Is there a name for left-handed fat ballerinas who have six digits on their off-hand and topical dermatitis?

Yes there is, but it exceeds the allowable post length.

2:10 PM

That should only stiffen your resolve.

No flirting in this chat.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

saunters in saucily

@tchrist No sé cómo hacer eso.

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 What kind of sauce?

Hollandaise is my favorite.

A sauce of saudade.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

Hollandaise ruins benedicts!

2:13 PM

Salsify it, Daisy.

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 You couldn't be more wrong.

Traitor.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

Hollandaise is like yellow mayo.

tee hee

Not the way I make it.

It took me literally years to learn to make good Hollandaise sauce. But it was worth the effort.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

If the egg is suitably runny, that is sauce enough for me.

What's in it?

2:15 PM

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Perhaps I misjudged you. Yes, by all means have your Eggs McBenedict.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

@Robusto what!

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 What's in Hollandaise sauce? Egg yolks, butter, a little salt and a little lemon.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

Not that runny.

@Robusto why do I hate it so?

Because you've never had mine?

If all you've had is restaurant Hollandaise, chances are it's a quickmix something or prepared too far in advance and refrigerated.

No restaurant, especially a breakfast restaurant, has time to make real Hollandaise sauce.

Ah, dairy bars and diners.

It takes, what, ten minutes or something?

2:18 PM

No. Longer than that.

simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_blender_hollandaise_sauce

This one scares me:

allrecipes.com/recipe/233971/…

@tchrist You bring a recipe for blender Hollandaise into this shrine? How dare you?

Even worse: microwaved!

"Quick and easy Hollandaise sauce"! Why not "Quick and easy heart transplants"?

i guess people don't own whisks?

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

2:20 PM

How could it take more than ten minutes to combine four ingredients?

And if you're ever lucky enough to try my sauce bordelaise you will think you are in heaven.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

Are you growing the lemons? Waiting for l'oeuf?

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 By taking time-outs for shots of brandy?

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

I'm ready for l'oeuf / oh, baby I'm ready for l'oeuf

Julia Child

2:21 PM

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 You have to separate the yolks, whisk them, prepare the butter, heat the yolks in a double boiler while whisking them so that they don't begin to overcook, melt the butter, etc., etc., etc.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

@tchrist sounds good.

@Robusto oic

Hollandaise sauce is like Mozart: It all seems very simple but it's a lot of work to get it right.

Light. Effortless.

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Is that a Meat L'oeuf song?

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

Arthur Lee and L'oeuf.

2:23 PM

@tchrist Yes. And when something sounds effortless you know a lot of effort has gone into that.

@Mr.ShinyandNew安宇 Congratulations! I know how important your monarch is to you.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

L'oeuf and Rockets.

/usr/share/misc/units.lib does not have dash in it.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

I'm all out of yolks. I mean jokes.

The only monarchs we have fly to Mexico every year.

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 I bet you're not all out of whites, though.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

2:25 PM

high away / bye bye

There is a man here to replace the giant picture window of this here rental house.

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Stop. You'll bring @RegDwigнt in here.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

slaps forehead

He put plastic sheeting down in front of it, which was suitably impressive. But then he stapled a shroud of it into the ceiling.

I'm scrambling to think of more jokes.

Can you see a picture of the crucified Christ in the shroud?

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

I'm trying to look on the sunny side.

@Robusto not from here.

Mm, that's gonna get closed.

The Perestroika question.

BTW, in perfect Eggs Benedict the yolks of the poached eggs should be just a few seconds past runny.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

2:29 PM

Maybe not. It's more detailed than I imagined.

@Robusto this.

I want slow, thick goo.

@Robusto A good metaphor for life.

@Cerberus Heh, is that your way of trying to get rid of me?

2:45 PM

@Robusto Too many yolks.

3:06 PM

@Robusto I don't want to get rid of Eggs Benedict.

It's one of the few things I cook that is really good. There are only four or five others.

Really?

You don't like cooking?

I like it to make really good things. For everyday stuff, not so much.

There are only a few dishes I liked well enough to learn how to do them right.

Very manly.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

I prefer baking.

3:16 PM

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 Unsurprising, given your name.

@Cerberus Nah, just very lazy. I don't want to be great at cooking everything, just the things I really like that I can't rely on others to make.

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者

@Robusto touche.

1 hour later…

4:44 PM

@cornbreadninja麵包忍者 It's spelled touchy, innit?

5:04 PM

@Robusto i, t, conventionally.

Mwahahaha.

5:47 PM

touché

Matt E. Эллен

ouchy

outré

Matt E. Эллен

café

sauté

his fiancé's decolleté was risqué but that was à la mode

let's stop those clichés

Matt E. Эллен

6:21 PM

oké

1 hour later…

7:31 PM

@MattE.Эллен Poké, mon.

Matt E. Эллен

8:15 PM

hello @Mετά Éd

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Transcript for

Sep '159

English Language & Usage: Multi-Layer…

Not for the faint of heart or those easily triggered by Englis...

phrase-requests pronunciation single-word-requests synonyms

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