2006-09-23 09:09:42 · 10 answers · asked by kriti 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
English is both humorous and strange because we have borrowed, begged and stolen words from so many other languages, notably Anglo-Saxon, Latin and Greek, but from others as well. Sometimes we have kept the pronunciation, but changed the spelling, sometimes we keep spelling and change pronunciation, sometimes we keep or change both. We also are notorious for inventing words. Meanings can also change dramatically. For example, gay used to mean happy. Now, it has a different connotation.
The Book Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, is an interesting read on how our language has changed.
Hope this helps.
2006-09-23 09:30:24 · answer #1 · answered by bizime 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Timer on the wall is a "clock"; timer on your wrist is a "watch" but not read as "9 o'watch"; it's still "9 (or any other number) o'clock".
Cookies are baked, but not called "bakies".
A "coat" of paint cannot be worn as clothing.
A "scale" may mean an instrument used for measuring, may pertain to music or a fish covering.
2006-09-24 19:14:13 · answer #2 · answered by tranquil 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You drive on a parkway and park on a driveway, rush-hour is when you are at your slowest, To dress something is to put the dress on, but to peel something is to take the peel off. English is funny because it was invented by the English .
2006-09-23 09:20:45 · answer #3 · answered by mindtelepathy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean funny as in strange, then I think it's because there are a lot of examples of strange and often confusing grammar!
2006-09-23 09:11:27 · answer #4 · answered by claire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All languages are funny, oviously you cant understand themm all, yeah english comedy is good to, "The Office" is the best yet, must see, dont watch the american version, its crap...
2006-09-23 09:10:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you think English is funny, you should try pig latin!
2006-09-23 09:46:06 · answer #6 · answered by ravin_lunatic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a mined is a tearable thing to waist.
2006-09-23 09:12:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear kriti
They're glad they left their car over there.
(We have puns too!)
Good luck
2006-09-23 10:15:38 · answer #8 · answered by mesmerized 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause it's a mish-mash of so many others.
2006-09-23 09:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by JWA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because you think it is.
2006-09-23 09:11:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋