Words & Wordplay - January 2007

What does it add to the language, other than complexity, by insisting that speech use this word over that word, even if the meaning is clear? To demonstrate...
"For whom the bell tolls." or "For who the bell tolls." and other similar sentences. Is there a difference in meaning when it is said either way, or just considered incorrect regardless of the fact the meaning is clear?
Another approach might be the language use of children. Where one might say "I break my toys." and then later say "You breaked my toys." What purpose does it serve to insist it be said "You broke my toys", if the meaning and logic are clear?
When a word changes the intended meaning of a sentence is obvious, but if it doesn't, what's the harm?
Keep in mind that I'm asking about the harm inflicted to the language and not the simple effect of having people correct you all the time.

2007-01-10 13:22:12 · 7 answers · asked by Jagg 5

i ask this question cuz i would like to know, if people who know israelis think they are rude and obnoxious etc? i've heard this stereotype and i don't mean any pun because i am jewish lol and half-israeli but only went once to israel and didn;t meet enough people to see myself. i am kind of taking the stereotpe seriosuly because i want to live in israel but i feel like if i do and the stereotype is true, i will be surrounded by obnoxiousness all the time? serious answers please, tell me if israelis are snobs/obnoxious?

2007-01-10 13:17:57 · 6 answers · asked by . 2

What about the english grammar of the phrase, is it ok??

here is the lyric...

Just sixteen, a pickup truck, out of money, out of luck.
I've got nowhere to call my own, hit the gas, and here I go.

[Chorus]
I'm running free yeah, I'm running free.
I'm running free yeah, Oh I'm running free.

Spent the night in an L. A. jail, and listened to the sirens wail.
They ain't got a thing on me, I'm running wild, I'm running free.

[Chorus]

Puller here at the Bottle Top, whiskey, dancing, disco hop.
Now all the boys are after me, and that's the way it's gonna be

2007-01-10 13:14:20 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-10 13:13:26 · 4 answers · asked by Roshonda S 1

2007-01-10 13:11:37 · 5 answers · asked by James H 1

please cite where you got it if possible

2007-01-10 13:04:54 · 6 answers · asked by Mikey X 2

2007-01-10 12:43:50 · 7 answers · asked by Twirpy 2

I know it's a lame question

2007-01-10 12:40:33 · 11 answers · asked by JMB 1

The English Language

Have you ever wondered why foreigners have trouble with the English Language?

Let's face it
English is a stupid language.
There is no egg in the eggplant
No ham in the hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England
French fries were not invented in France.

We sometimes take English for granted
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly
Boxing rings are square
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If writers write, how come fingers don't fing.
If the plural of tooth is teeth
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth
If the teacher taught,
Why didn't the preacher praught.

If a vegetarian eats vegetables
What the heck does a humanitarian eat!?
Why do people recite at a play
Yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways

2007-01-10 12:38:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-10 12:34:42 · 10 answers · asked by . 4

2007-01-10 12:33:43 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

I'm looking for a powerful word that is something like "journey" or "quest" except one destined to fail. Anyone know a good word for something like that?

2007-01-10 12:31:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

What rhymes with foxy?

2007-01-10 12:27:25 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-01-10 12:23:35 · 14 answers · asked by C 2

2007-01-10 12:19:52 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

From what I've found, some spell checkers say it's incorrect while others ignore it. At the same time some people say it's wrong and others disagree.

Some websites indicate it as a contraction, and over 1 million sites use it. But at the same time, that doesn't make it right.

My question is, is it grammatically correct? Is it different in certain parts of the world?

Thanks,
Ken

2007-01-10 12:17:55 · 4 answers · asked by A: Ken 5

2007-01-10 12:05:19 · 5 answers · asked by Ms. BLONDE 2

2007-01-10 11:57:19 · 25 answers · asked by elay 1

Only things I can think of are Zebra, Zoo, and Zipper. My sons work yesterday was to find items that begin with Z and I can't think of very much stuff and it's driving me crazy. The person that thinks of the most things is who I will give the points too. Thank you

2007-01-10 11:54:28 · 5 answers · asked by Jennifer 3

Why is it that so many people on this site spell "does" as "dose? Almost every time you see a question on this site that means to use the word "does" it is almost always spelled "dose". Is this a reflection of a hidden literacy problem?

2007-01-10 11:29:08 · 3 answers · asked by Kokopelli 7

1. And I am assuming you know the way back.
2. I either just saw a VERY large deer or Bigfoot is in these woods!!
3. I know,I know.....stay close to the lodge....blah,blah,blah.
4. Please tell me you brought batteries for the flashlight.
5. Uh huh,uh huh.......that isn't REALLY your plan, is it?!
6. There's no place like home.

2007-01-10 11:27:45 · 3 answers · asked by I am Sunshine 6

Help me!!!!

2007-01-10 10:50:36 · 2 answers · asked by Glenda 2

Which one came first: the chicken or the egg?

2007-01-10 10:23:07 · 57 answers · asked by nobody 1

2007-01-10 10:18:24 · 3 answers · asked by Lala 1

Trying to help my child with homework and feeling like I need to go back to 3rd grade! Can't seem to remember how to use the ' ................ Dog's , dogs, or dogs'.........what is the difference and where do you use the little ' mark and when??? Please?

2007-01-10 10:17:56 · 10 answers · asked by Josa H 2

and what does it mean?

2007-01-10 10:16:05 · 6 answers · asked by talofa lava 2

What COLOR is that?
I will send you a CHECK
My car TIRES are worn

Why are Americans fat and wear BumBags (FannyPacks)??

2007-01-10 10:14:51 · 17 answers · asked by BigGman 2

2007-01-10 09:57:59 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

"I almost went out and moved to LA where I almost was famous for almost a day"
-Bowling For Soup
If you never moved to LA at all, how can you even almost be famous there? and better yet - for almost a day?

2007-01-10 09:51:17 · 6 answers · asked by hautboisplayer09 1

2007-01-10 09:51:11 · 3 answers · asked by babygrl14 1