Words that make English Such a Difficult Language

[Absalom]

.......
However, if you're describing an execution, the correct word is "hanged." The co-conspirators in the Lincoln assassination were hanged. They were not hung.

Indeed. But after they had been hanged, their bodies hung from the gallows.

 

[sheepdawg]

I hear there's a good golf course here.

Of course there is but you'll find the people there quite coarse when you first meet them.

Yup but once they get to know you though they get quite friendly, a three foot putt is usually good.

The greens keeper likes to put the flags right behind the sand traps. Makes the course tougher.

One thing I really hate about the place is they use this real coarse sand in the bunkers. People say it wears out their clubs. I wish they would use some fine sand.

Well my five iron is busted and this one seems heavy. My three wood has a big dent on the bottom too.

No problem a little coarse sandpaper won't remedy.

Yeah and I hear there's an old Cold War bunker hidden behind those buildings over there. Why did they put it there?

Because they figured it would be well hidden of course. See the wood door there? There's an iron one behind it, No one can weigh it but it weighs tons I'll bet.

Fine, pull up a chair and take a load off of your feet.

Great I have a sore spot on this foot here. It's quite hard to bare. It takes a lot of grit to make eighteen holes, something about the way I walk.

We have a pretty good team when it comes to scrambles, we soar like eagles. We could use another fine golfer.

You'll love the place, free breakfast on scramble day too, bacon, biscuits, grits and we can scramble some eggs too.

Well damn I'll be there tomorrow, I can't wait.

Just be careful, the cops are nasty and will fine you hundreds if they catch you speeding or so I hear. Lots of speed traps around and they won't hesitate to flag you down

Yeah Smokey Bear is tough where I come from too.

Fine, see you tomorrow. Bring your A game. Wear a collared shirt though, we have rules.

What a load of bull. Good day!

 

[chaparrito]

I wonder whether the wether will weather the weather or whether the wether will not.

Danged spell-chequer doesn't recognise "wether" anyway. Old term for a female sheep. And yes, "recognise" has no "z" in the rest of the world.

For the record, 'wether' is the correct term for a castrated ram sheep or buck goat. Not a female sheep. It's used all the time, not archaic at all, and is often mis-spelled.

 

[chaparrito]

The misuse of you're and your, are and our, and "should, would, could, might "of" really make my teeth rattle.

should HAVE, please!!!!!!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Ain't got time to hang with you sheepherders.
I got to go slop the Barrows.

 

[chaparrito]

This is a common English word spelled phonetically. What is it?

ghoti

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm near the end of a three year project: editing a 325-page book about Atlantic City, Wyo.

The spell checker has been no help at all. Right?

Bob

 

[ExcitableBoy]

Wright you are!!!

 

[SailDesign]

Just to clarify for the sake of accuracy, a "wether" lamb or sheep is a castrated male animal. A female sheep is an ewe.

Dangitall - no WONDER they looked at me all funny-like.

 

[SailDesign]

This is a common English word spelled phonetically. What is it?

ghoti

Fish. (added characters to allow me to post.....)

 

[chaparrito]

Fish. (added characters to allow me to post.....)

Winner! 8 9 10

 

[amazingflapjack]

effect=physical
affect=emotional
Calvary=place where The Savior of the world died for our sins.
cavalry=military force-mounted.

Also-some New Yorkers, "shut the lights, and turn off the curtains."

 

[amazingflapjack]

Pin-many uses.

 

[gman51]

I still say when they made the words up they must have been smoked up on pot because they sure didn't see using a word for many meanings makes no sense.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Ever noticed how difficult it must be to learn English as a foreign language, especially for an adult?

That is only half the battle. Then account for regional dialect and it is a struggle for natives. I've overheard American English conversations in this country, where I only understood the salutations.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Wright you are!!!

I had missed that wright, right? Got it now. Thanks!

 

[SailDesign]

effect=physical
affect=emotional
Calvary=place where The Savior of the world died for our sins.
cavalry=military force-mounted.

Also-some New Yorkers, "shut the lights, and turn off the curtains."

"Effect" noun
"Affect" verb causing said noun.

"The effect it had was salutory, since the eclipse affected him greatly."

 

[Rustyt1953]

As a Brit, I would like to apologize for the confusion:

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

 

[hoosierone]

Since I only speak English, I have no idea if other languages are easier or harder to learn. Is our language alone in having all these variances?

 

[bigwheelzip]

As a Brit, I would like to apologize for the confusion:

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

I was all set to blame your people for this mess, but it seems your victims as well.

From The History of English: "English is a West Germanic language that originated from Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain in the mid 5th to 7th centuries AD by Germanic invaders and settlers from what is now northwest Germany, west Denmark and the Netherlands."