~Pot's~ Word of the day

[Stoned Smurfs]

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!

[Pirilao]

For me it is difficult. I do not understand very well what you want.

[Tamurin]

He explains words that are rarely used.

[Pirilao]

AHH. OK, but for me continues to be difficult.

Because I am to adapt it the English.

[Tagmatium Rules]

It is a good word. Got a nice ring to it. Potentate?

[Stoned Smurfs]

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...

[Stoned Smurfs]

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

[Europa]

That's a good find, Pot. It's fun and educational at the same time...

 

 

 

 

 

[Stoned Smurfs]

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~

[Phil VII]

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...

 

[Tamurin]

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)

[Stoned Smurfs]

 

i like what this thread is turning out to be. i shoulda added an 's on that title tho.

 

 

~Pot~

Master of Thread Making

[Haken]

Spiegelei is Dutch.

Edited June 18, 2005 by Haken (see edit history)

[Niederoestereich]

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?"

[Stoned Smurfs]

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

 

 

[Phil VII]

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

[Orioni]

Knacker?

[Tamurin]

@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.

[Niederoestereich]

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.

[Phil VII]

(being knackered is british slang for being exhausted, it sounds australian actually, is it used out there Kant?)

[Niederoestereich]

(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.

[Amnalos]

Trebuchet treb'oo-shet

 

A medieval military engine for launching stones.

[Tamurin]

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.

[Phil VII]

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,

[Tamurin]

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?!"