|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > The Queen ´s English Society to fold
The Queen ´s English Society to fold
|
|
yanogator
|
|
As for semi-colons, Sophia, I just tell people never to use them, because a period can always be used instead, thereby eliminating the need to remember when and how to use a semi-colon.
Alex, I definitely see Norma Loquendi as the dominant force in English, and I �m gradually becoming less resistant to it. That �s mighty difficult for an old curmudgeon like me!
Bruce |
5 Jun 2012
|
|
|
cunliffe
|
|
Curmudgeon - a fabulous word! It derives from the French �coeur mechant � - bad heart. These days it means a sweet old boy, a bit stuck in his ways. If the cap fits, Yanogator... |
5 Jun 2012
|
|
|
almaz
|
|
Not too sure about that derivation, Lynne. I �d always assumed it was a Scots word originally, a �mudgeoune � or �murgeon � being a facial contortion or grimace (like �mugging �). By the way, I �ve just learned that the word �curmur � referred to grumbling or complaining (from the Concise Scots Dictionary). Are they related? Who knows? |
5 Jun 2012
|
|
|
cunliffe
|
|
I wonder... As often, there �ll be different stories about this. I think, Alex, your account sounds more likely. |
5 Jun 2012
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
Dictionary.com says that Johnson �s derivation of "curmudgeon" that Lynne quoted is no longer taken seriously. However, since they don �t offer a better explanation, what do they have to offer?
Bruce |
5 Jun 2012
|
|
|
cunliffe
|
|
Aw! I �ve always quoted that with such authority and now I �ll have to stop. |
6 Jun 2012
|
|
< Previous
1
2
|
