Category Archives: Linguistics

Overheard

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Updated to add:

As you see to the right, Worpress updated and added a Twitter widget! Now either click the link “Some Twitter” to see that page or view the updates in the sidebar. W00t!

There’s nothing like listening in. Maybe it’s not even on purpose, but someone speaks out so loudly you can’t help but hear. Especially in a big crowd. At SXSW last year, one of my moves was “That’d make a good band name” if we all heard a silly comment out of context. Or sharing with the group if it was worth repeating. A personal fave of mine would be LC’s eyes going mega wide if we heard the same hilarity.

One SXSW feature this year is a compiled site from PepsiCo called Twitter Visualizations. It lets you know what people are doing, where they are and even if there’s a line to get in the party you’re headed to.

My favorite part by far is the Overheard section. By putting OH in front of the Twitter message – you know someone couldn’t believe their ears and needed to share. There’s nothing funnier than hearing something that makes you wonder about the stranger standing next to you. Except maybe immediately writing it up and sharing it. 😉

I’ve enjoyed “Breakfast is the most important taco of the morning”

“Can we “crash” the Microsoft party?” (get it…?)

and

“How do you get BBQ sauce off your iPhone?”

twitter OH

Updated to add:

As you see to the right, there’s a link for you to find and follow me. Not much up yet but next week should be fun. Between Twitter,  Facebook and this blog, I’m so out there!

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For Serious

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Top 10 Most Irritating Phrases of the English Language

In his book Damp Squid: The English Language Laid Bare, Jeremy Butterfield outlined the top 10 most irritating phrases of the English language. (Why damp squid?)

… the book’s author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and “synergy”.

Other phrases to irritate people are “literally” and “ironically”, when they are used out of context.

Mr Butterfield said: “We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language.”

Here they are:

  1. At the end of the day
  2. Fairly unique
  3. I personally
  4. At this moment in time
  5. With all due respect
  6. Absolutely
  7. It’s a nightmare
  8. Shouldn’t of
  9. 24/7
  10. It’s not rocket science

Found via Neatorama

I like it – can you think of any others?

About Handwriting

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Are you buying it? Which are you?

HANDWRITING AND WHAT IT MEANS

If letters slant to the left: Indicates introspection and a lot of emotional control.

If letter slant to the right: Reveals a person who’s outgoing, friendly, impulsive, and emotionally open.

If letters are straight up and down: The sign of someone who’s ruled by the head, not the heart.

Letters that slant in more than one direction: Indicates versatility and adaptability.

An erratic slant: Usually means a lack of flexibility.

Heavy pressure writing (like you can feel the rib made on the back of the paper): The writer is agitated.

Moderate pressure (the writing is dark, but you can’t feel the rib on the other side of the paper): Shows ability to deal with stress.

Light pressure: Indicates someone who seems to take life in stride.

Tiny letters: Indicate the writer is has somewhat low self esteem but is intelligent.

Small letters: The hallmark of quiet, introspective types – they’re generally detail-oriented and have good concentration.

Large letters: Sign of a confident, easygoing individual.

Huge letters: Indicate someone who’s theatrical, usually loud, and needs to be the center of attention at all times.

Wide letters (their width and height are about the same): The mark of someone who’s open and friendly.

Narrow letters: Show someone who’s somewhat shy and inhibited but very self-disciplined.

Letters that don’t touch: Indicate an impulsive, artistic, sometimes impractical free thinker.

Some letters connecting: Means the writer’s personality blends logic and intuition.

All letters making contact: The sign of someone who’s highly cautious.

A curved first mark: Shows a person who’s traditional and plays by the rules.

A straight beginning stroke: Reveals someone who’s rigid and doesn’t like being told what to do.

A final stroke straight across: The writer is cautious.

An end mark that curves up: Reveals generosity.

Perfect penmanship: The hallmark of a communicative person.

An indecipherable scrawl: Indicates a person who’s secretive, closed-up and likes to keep his thoughts to himself.

from: http://www.didyouknow.org


Barack Obama

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Before you go and get all excited about the thought of me venturing in to the world of political commentary, this is slightly anecdotal and also mostly a linguistic issue. I do not even remotely posses an educated opinion in the world of politics, which is a prerequisite to their discussion.

That disclamier being set forth, last night I saw a sound bite of this fellow (and I’m paraphrasing but you will understand) that aroused my concern. It went something like this:

“I know I haven’t been in Washington long enough to see what is wrong, but I know what is wrong needs to be changed”

To me, this is what that really says:

“”I know I haven’t been in Washington long enough to see what

is wrong, but I know what is wrong

needs to be changed”

I’m fairly certain that’s the way this type of phrasing works out. Yes?

That has me a little worried.