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"He left the room as perpendicular as a Quaker." Where has the expression come from? Thanks.-- Omidinist ( talk) 05:26, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Why is a Brazilian soccer player named Rafael called in Portuguese Rafinha? I understand that -inha is a diminutive, but so is -inho. So, why not Rafinho? 88.11.244.183 ( talk) 07:56, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
and so on, but finally Richard - Dick, Rick. There seems to be no pattern in the diminuitive formation, and that is just a few of a longer list. I'm sorry if I didn't make my self clear. Richard Avery ( talk) 14:28, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Here is a paragraph from a New York Times "blog" titled: "Five Things to Watch for in the G.O.P. Debate", by Michael D. Shear.
(My question relates specifically to the quote but here is a link to the article.) http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/five-things-to-watch-for-in-g-o-p-debate/
"But Mr. Cain has proven himself to be a formidable presence in speeches to conservative activists. And he is not unwilling to be blunt in his criticism of Mr. Romney or his other rivals. It is possible that Mr. Cain, sensing an opportunity in the moment, could pile on Mr. Romney."
"And he is not unwilling to be blunt" means basically that "he is willing to be blunt". But at a more subtle level, does this wording convey something more than simply that "he is willing"? Wanderer57 ( talk) 15:20, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Not unwilling does not necessarily equal willing. Rocks and the comatose are not unwilling. The terms are contraries, since both cannot be true but both may be false. See square of opposition. μηδείς ( talk) 01:39, 12 October 2011 (UTC)
I'm asking because in Rudyard Kipling's poem A Pilgrim's Way it says:
I'm curious if the the two words might have rhymed in Kipling's time? (either as surpr-ee-z or courtes-eye-s)? Oh, and while I'm at it, what's a General Averagee? Is it someone who's suffered shipwreck? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.50.191.96 ( talk) 19:56, 11 October 2011 (UTC) Thanks in advance, 78.50.191.96 ( talk) 19:50, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Till, after cloying the gazettes with cant,
The age discovers he is not the true one;
Of such as these I should not care to vaunt,
I'll therefore take our ancient friend Don Juan
I am with you all on this one. 'Courtes-eye-s' seems the only logical explanation. KägeTorä - (影虎) ( TALK) 01:15, 13 October 2011 (UTC)
Once again, thanks everyone (78.50... was me) Уга-уга12 ( talk) 08:00, 17 October 2011 (UTC)
How is Roy Thinnes's last name pronounced. I searched Google & Wikipedia, but couldn't find anything. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.206.185.196 ( talk) 23:08, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Why do Spanish Wikipedia articles on dead people begin with "fue," as in: "Walter Leland Cronkite... fue un periodista y presentador de noticias televisivo estadounidense." Why not "era?" He was a journalist for like 60 years. Shouldn't that get the imperfect? -- Mwalcoff ( talk) 23:31, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
This is an interesting sentence:
Though in many natural objects, whiteness refiningly enhances beauty, as if imparting some special virtue of its own, as in marbles, japonicas, and pearls; and though various nations have in some way recognised a certain royal preeminence in this hue; even the barbaric, grand old kings of Pegu placing the title "Lord of the White Elephants" above all their other magniloquent ascriptions of dominion; and the modern kings of Siam unfurling the same snow-white quadruped in the royal standard; and the Hanoverian flag bearing the one figure of a snow-white charger; and the great Austrian Empire, Caesarian, heir to overlording Rome, having for the imperial color the same imperial hue; and though this pre-eminence in it applies to the human race itself, giving the white man ideal mastership over every dusky tribe; and though, besides, all this, whiteness has been even made significant of gladness, for among the Romans a white stone marked a joyful day; and though in other mortal sympathies and symbolizings, this same hue is made the emblem of many touching, noble things- the innocence of brides, the benignity of age; though among the Red Men of America the giving of the white belt of wampum was the deepest pledge of honor; though in many climes, whiteness typifies the majesty of Justice in the ermine of the Judge, and contributes to the daily state of kings and queens drawn by milk-white steeds; though even in the higher mysteries of the most august religions it has been made the symbol of the divine spotlessness and power; by the Persian fire worshippers, the white forked flame being held the holiest on the altar; and in the Greek mythologies, Great Jove himself being made incarnate in a snow-white bull; and though to the noble Iroquois, the midwinter sacrifice of the sacred White Dog was by far the holiest festival of their theology, that spotless, faithful creature being held the purest envoy they could send to the Great Spirit with the annual tidings of their own fidelity; and though directly from the Latin word for white, all Christian priests derive the name of one part of their sacred vesture, the alb or tunic, worn beneath the cassock; and though among the holy pomps of the Romish faith, white is specially employed in the celebration of the Passion of our Lord; though in the Vision of St. John, white robes are given to the redeemed, and the four-and-twenty elders stand clothed in white before the great-white throne, and the Holy One that sitteth there white like wool; yet for all these accumulated associations, with whatever is sweet, and honorable, and sublime, there yet lurks an elusive something in the innermost idea of this hue, which strikes more of panic to the soul than that redness which affrights in blood.
Without the last phrase it would amount to abuse of the reader. μηδείς ( talk) 02:20, 12 October 2011 (UTC)
Language desk | ||
---|---|---|
< October 10 | << Sep | October | Nov >> | October 12 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
"He left the room as perpendicular as a Quaker." Where has the expression come from? Thanks.-- Omidinist ( talk) 05:26, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Why is a Brazilian soccer player named Rafael called in Portuguese Rafinha? I understand that -inha is a diminutive, but so is -inho. So, why not Rafinho? 88.11.244.183 ( talk) 07:56, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
and so on, but finally Richard - Dick, Rick. There seems to be no pattern in the diminuitive formation, and that is just a few of a longer list. I'm sorry if I didn't make my self clear. Richard Avery ( talk) 14:28, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Here is a paragraph from a New York Times "blog" titled: "Five Things to Watch for in the G.O.P. Debate", by Michael D. Shear.
(My question relates specifically to the quote but here is a link to the article.) http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/five-things-to-watch-for-in-g-o-p-debate/
"But Mr. Cain has proven himself to be a formidable presence in speeches to conservative activists. And he is not unwilling to be blunt in his criticism of Mr. Romney or his other rivals. It is possible that Mr. Cain, sensing an opportunity in the moment, could pile on Mr. Romney."
"And he is not unwilling to be blunt" means basically that "he is willing to be blunt". But at a more subtle level, does this wording convey something more than simply that "he is willing"? Wanderer57 ( talk) 15:20, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Not unwilling does not necessarily equal willing. Rocks and the comatose are not unwilling. The terms are contraries, since both cannot be true but both may be false. See square of opposition. μηδείς ( talk) 01:39, 12 October 2011 (UTC)
I'm asking because in Rudyard Kipling's poem A Pilgrim's Way it says:
I'm curious if the the two words might have rhymed in Kipling's time? (either as surpr-ee-z or courtes-eye-s)? Oh, and while I'm at it, what's a General Averagee? Is it someone who's suffered shipwreck? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.50.191.96 ( talk) 19:56, 11 October 2011 (UTC) Thanks in advance, 78.50.191.96 ( talk) 19:50, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Till, after cloying the gazettes with cant,
The age discovers he is not the true one;
Of such as these I should not care to vaunt,
I'll therefore take our ancient friend Don Juan
I am with you all on this one. 'Courtes-eye-s' seems the only logical explanation. KägeTorä - (影虎) ( TALK) 01:15, 13 October 2011 (UTC)
Once again, thanks everyone (78.50... was me) Уга-уга12 ( talk) 08:00, 17 October 2011 (UTC)
How is Roy Thinnes's last name pronounced. I searched Google & Wikipedia, but couldn't find anything. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.206.185.196 ( talk) 23:08, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
Why do Spanish Wikipedia articles on dead people begin with "fue," as in: "Walter Leland Cronkite... fue un periodista y presentador de noticias televisivo estadounidense." Why not "era?" He was a journalist for like 60 years. Shouldn't that get the imperfect? -- Mwalcoff ( talk) 23:31, 11 October 2011 (UTC)
This is an interesting sentence:
Though in many natural objects, whiteness refiningly enhances beauty, as if imparting some special virtue of its own, as in marbles, japonicas, and pearls; and though various nations have in some way recognised a certain royal preeminence in this hue; even the barbaric, grand old kings of Pegu placing the title "Lord of the White Elephants" above all their other magniloquent ascriptions of dominion; and the modern kings of Siam unfurling the same snow-white quadruped in the royal standard; and the Hanoverian flag bearing the one figure of a snow-white charger; and the great Austrian Empire, Caesarian, heir to overlording Rome, having for the imperial color the same imperial hue; and though this pre-eminence in it applies to the human race itself, giving the white man ideal mastership over every dusky tribe; and though, besides, all this, whiteness has been even made significant of gladness, for among the Romans a white stone marked a joyful day; and though in other mortal sympathies and symbolizings, this same hue is made the emblem of many touching, noble things- the innocence of brides, the benignity of age; though among the Red Men of America the giving of the white belt of wampum was the deepest pledge of honor; though in many climes, whiteness typifies the majesty of Justice in the ermine of the Judge, and contributes to the daily state of kings and queens drawn by milk-white steeds; though even in the higher mysteries of the most august religions it has been made the symbol of the divine spotlessness and power; by the Persian fire worshippers, the white forked flame being held the holiest on the altar; and in the Greek mythologies, Great Jove himself being made incarnate in a snow-white bull; and though to the noble Iroquois, the midwinter sacrifice of the sacred White Dog was by far the holiest festival of their theology, that spotless, faithful creature being held the purest envoy they could send to the Great Spirit with the annual tidings of their own fidelity; and though directly from the Latin word for white, all Christian priests derive the name of one part of their sacred vesture, the alb or tunic, worn beneath the cassock; and though among the holy pomps of the Romish faith, white is specially employed in the celebration of the Passion of our Lord; though in the Vision of St. John, white robes are given to the redeemed, and the four-and-twenty elders stand clothed in white before the great-white throne, and the Holy One that sitteth there white like wool; yet for all these accumulated associations, with whatever is sweet, and honorable, and sublime, there yet lurks an elusive something in the innermost idea of this hue, which strikes more of panic to the soul than that redness which affrights in blood.
Without the last phrase it would amount to abuse of the reader. μηδείς ( talk) 02:20, 12 October 2011 (UTC)