Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language

[Giles]

Following on from our discussions elsewhere, about how in England the adjective "nice" is often used as a back-handed compliment.

I caught myself answering a query from Paula with the phrase "It's perfectly pleasant", which basically means it's as dull as dishwater.......

@goosehd

[endo]

nice

[pechelman]

This is maybe somewhat specific to the Seattle area, one might run into acquaintances at random places with a genuinely friendly exchange that ends with "we should get together sometime" or "let's get together soon" or something equivalent.

This means, it was nice to see you, we'll leave on good terms, and never make plans to see each other again until it happens by chance.

[ARNC]

I was reminded of a type of question/command earlier today that I haven’t heard in a while (but was often used by my mother): Would you like to…? As in: Would you like to run downstairs and bring me a glass of water? Very hard to answer other than in the affirmative.

[ARNC]

@pechelman we have that here in the UK too.

[Kasi]

I had my mate father in law who is a
copper

Who I met the very first time.

As I was going leaving said to me “so long”

Felt weird to me not something use or heard

[Luijim78]

by the way, “bobbies”, policemen are called that only in London, am I wrong?

[Kasi]

Yes Bobbies every where in UK

That’s what mate also said to me at the time.

[goosehd]

Here’s one that most of us know and can probably relate to: “Fine” does not mean fine when coming from a significant other, or your children…

[Matt]

@pechelman that’s definitely not exclusive to Seattle.

[pechelman]

Well it's good to know that it isnt just here @Matt and @ARNC

It certainly wasnt this way in other parts of the US I've lived.

[Giles]

Cunt, used with the right inflection is the highest compliment you can give/receive......

[T4920]

I do find it interesting how seemingly inoculus gestures develop negative connotations over time..

I asked a few people recently if they found the emoji to be rude/dismissive/passive aggressive and they all agreed that it was.

The pictographic sibling of 'nice' you might say!

[goosehd]

I once had a discussion with Laura about the purchase of a Porsche 911 turbo…no words were necessary for her thoughts on the matter.

[DeeDee85]

@T4920 if my wife replies to one of my texts with a “”I know world war 3 is about to begin

[WhiskeySandwich]

@DeeDee85 similar to the lone “k” text reply. It means “fuck off”.

[DeeDee85]

@WhiskeySandwich I think the lone “k” is worse actually.. it definitely means fuck off

[mclaincausey]

In the southern US, blessing someone’s heart can be a genuine expression of empathy, fondness, or respect, or a genuine expression of disdain, pity, or disrespect. Sometimes the delivery won’t help you suss out exactly which we mean.

“Bless her heart, that poor girl could get stuck on an escalator.”

“Oh bless his heart he means well but just has the worst luck.”

Then of course, the ole F bomb…

[ROman]

@Giles said in Nuances and Idiosyncrasies of the English Language:

Cunt, used with the right inflection is the highest compliment you can give/receive......

I once worked with an Irish guy that used to say cunt lapping bitch. Was that a compliment.

[steelworker]