Stoned Smurfs Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 potentate DEFINITION: (noun) a powerful ruler EXAMPLE: Before the Russian Revolution, the Tsar was one of the last hereditary potentates of Europe. SYNONYMS: monarch, royalty, sovereign ~Pot~ Shinning on dogs butts everywhere! Link to comment
Pirilao Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 For me it is difficult. I do not understand very well what you want. Link to comment
Tamurin Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 He explains words that are rarely used. Link to comment
Pirilao Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 AHH. OK, but for me continues to be difficult. Because I am to adapt it the English. Link to comment
Tagmatium Rules Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 It is a good word. Got a nice ring to it. Potentate? Link to comment
Stoned Smurfs Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 lmao Tag! it would be cool if every one would put a word in here, i know not everyone speaks english. could be Europa's own little cultural exchange... Link to comment
Stoned Smurfs Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 June 17th 2005's word nuance DEFINITION: (noun) a subtle difference or quality EXAMPLE: At first glance, Monet's paintings of water lilies all look much alike, but the more you study them, the more you appreciate the nuances of color and shading that distinguish them. SYNONYMS: disinction, refinement, tinge ~Pot~ Object of annoyance Link to comment
Europa Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 That's a good find, Pot. It's fun and educational at the same time... Link to comment
Stoned Smurfs Posted June 18, 2005 Author Share Posted June 18, 2005 flamboyant DEFINITION: (adjective) very colorful, showy, or elaborate EXAMPLE: At Mardi Gras, partygoers compete to show off the most wild and flamboyant outfits. SYNONYMS: extravagant, gaudy, resplendent ~Pot~ Link to comment
Phil VII Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 Flibbertigibbet Definition: Flighty, gossiping, or scatterbrained person. Origin: An english Slang Term, in Yorkshire especially, usually used more towards a woman than a man Also the name of a Charecter in Anglo-saxon Mythology, Flibbertigibbet, the apprentice to Wayland Smith, Legendery Blacksmith... Link to comment
Tamurin Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 (edited) I guess I can explain some German words or expressions, if anybody is interested. Here something easy for the start: Spiegelei Two-part-word, consists of "Spiegel" (translation "mirror") and "Ei" (translation "egg"). Translation: Fried egg So, if someone in the future will ask you for "mirror eggs", you know: - That he/she wants fried eggs - That his/her native language is German - That his/her English is not very good Edited June 18, 2005 by Tamurin (see edit history) Link to comment
Stoned Smurfs Posted June 18, 2005 Author Share Posted June 18, 2005 i like what this thread is turning out to be. i shoulda added an 's on that title tho. ~Pot~ Master of Thread Making Link to comment
Haken Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 (edited) Spiegelei is Dutch. Edited June 18, 2005 by Haken (see edit history) Link to comment
Kant Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Larrikin Meaning:Someone whom is Rebelious, Non-Conformist. Often good at sports. Takes the piss out of authority Example:Australian troops in both world wars (but particularly the first) were considered larrkins. An encounter where a larrikin ANZAC asked to salute a british staff officer says "sure mate, just hold me pie, will ya?" Link to comment
Stoned Smurfs Posted June 19, 2005 Author Share Posted June 19, 2005 cloying DEFINITION: (adjective) overly sweet or sentimental EXAMPLE: The deathbed scenes in the novels of Dickens are famously cloying: as Oscar Wilde said, 'One would need a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without laughing.' SYNONYMS: candied, sugary, syrupy Link to comment
Phil VII Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Australian troops in both world wars (but particularly the first) were considered larrkins. An encounter where a larrikin ANZAC asked to salute a british staff officer says "sure mate, just hold me pie, will ya?" I love it! Frazzle Definition: Verb, To make or Become Exhausted Example: "After forty-two hours on shift, frank was completly Frazzled" Synonyms: Knacker, exhaust, wear out Link to comment
Tamurin Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 @Haken: "Spiegelei" is also German...since both languages are related, you'll find even more similar words. Eierlegende Wollmilchsau Multi-part word consisting of: "Eier" = Eggs "legende" = laying "Woll" = wool "milch" = milk "sau" = hog, swine, sow, pig Direct translation: Egg-laying wool-milk-sow Definition: A utopian, unrealistic solution for everything. Its origin is in the agricultural sector. Having one animal that provides everything instead of several (sheep, cow, pig, chicken), each providing only one good, would be a strategic advantage. This term is often used, when someone wants something that can't be done, e.g. a car that is cheap, fast, small on the outside, large on the inside, with all extras, state-of-the-art-technology, super safe, looks cool like a sportscar, requires little fuel, has a great accelaration, has low-running cost, never breaks etc. Link to comment
Kant Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Cadbury Meaning: Someone who gets drunk very quickly Origin:From a series of commercials for Cadbury milk chocolate claiming each block contains "a glass and a half of full-cream dairy milk", the implication being the "Cadbury" can't hold more than a glass and a half of beer. Link to comment
Phil VII Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 (being knackered is british slang for being exhausted, it sounds australian actually, is it used out there Kant?) Link to comment
Kant Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 (being knackered is british slang for being exhausted, it sounds australian actually, is it used out there Kant?) Yeah it is from time to time. Link to comment
Amnalos Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Trebuchet treb'oo-shet A medieval military engine for launching stones. Link to comment
Tamurin Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Handy "Handy" is used for cell phone (for the British: mobile phone). It's one of those "new German" words that sound English. Since the end of WW2, new words for new things are not created in German, but are assimilated from English. E.g.: Jet aircrafts are also often called "Jets", very rarely "Duesenflugzeug", the "Space Shuttle" is the "Space Shuttle", "computers" are "computers" etc. "Handy" is not used in american or british english, but it sounds like it, so it quickly entered common use. The institut for the German language in Frankfurt tried to create a substitute, but was unsuccessful. "Handy" is close to "Hand" (translation: "hand"), which could indicate that the word was created because you can take your cell phone in your hand everywhere. "Handy" is just one of the many words that are called "Denglisch" (a mixture of Deutsch (German) and english). "Denglisch" is used by people who critize that more and more English words enter the German language. Link to comment
Phil VII Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Hmm, and handy in english is usually used to mean somting that is very useful, e.g. "A handy corner shop" is a corner shop which is in a useful position, i.e. nearby, or near a place where it will be used often. A Handyman is someone who does various useful jobs, Link to comment
Tamurin Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 I know. That's the part where it gets really confusing...just imagine this conversation between a German (who doesn't know that about "handy" and "Handy") and an English-native speaker: G: "I need a handy - could I borrow yours?" E: "Err...a handy - what?!" Link to comment
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