Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

 About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

You are not logged in. [Log In] Wordsmith.org » Forums » General Topics » Q&A about words » but
Register User    Forum List        Calendar     Active Topics     Search     FAQ
Page 5 of 8 < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >
Topic Options
#14864 - 01/12/01 03:18 AM Re: but
Phyllisstein Offline
newbie

Registered: 01/05/01
Posts: 31
Loc: Cape Town, S. Africa
It strikes me that if you used "though" instead of "but" nobody would remark on the construction. Since the two words are sometimes interchangeable when used at the start of a phrase it's not too hard to imagine somebody substituting "but" for "though" at the end of it. Follow?

Here's the putative evolution:
I don't like caramel, though chocolate's not bad.
I don't like caramel, but chocolate's not bad.
I don't like chocolate; caramel's not bad, though.
I don't like chocolate; caramel's not bad, but.

Presumably a few people think this sounds cute, the fad takes off and a new mannerism is born. Too far-fetched?

BTW I presume that saying "chocolate's not bad, though" is also anastrophe? If so, I'm thrilled to know that all my life I have been using such lah-di-dah grammatical constructions. [emoticon of a kugel preening]

On second thoughts it does rather take the gilt off it to know that millions of Ozzies are using it too - and more imaginatively!


Top
#14865 - 01/12/01 03:33 AM Re: but
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/22/00
Posts: 1981
>Too far-fetched?

Spot on, think I.


Top
#14866 - 01/12/01 04:22 AM Re: but
Capital Kiwi Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/00
Posts: 3146
Loc: Northamptonshire, England
that millions of Ozzies are using it too

Yep, happens.

- and more imaginatively!

Now, hang on a minute - that's stretching things a bit too far. at Marty, Marvin, Paulb and the rest!

_________________________
The idiot also known as Capfka ...

Top
#14867 - 01/12/01 07:35 AM Re: but
Jackie Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/15/00
Posts: 11582
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
at Marty, Marvin, Paulb and the rest!

Er--who's Marvin? And, my sweetheart paulb is not from
Australia, but.




Top
#14868 - 01/12/01 11:23 AM Re: but
Capital Kiwi Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/00
Posts: 3146
Loc: Northamptonshire, England
Marvin was an illusion or delusion (see the appropriate thread). paulb is from Tasmania which, the last time I was there, my dear, is only semi-detached from Oz!

_________________________
The idiot also known as Capfka ...

Top
#14869 - 01/12/01 12:42 PM Re: but
tsuwm Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/03/00
Posts: 10472
Loc: this too shall pass
CK avers Marvin was an illusion or delusion...

sort of a giant Aussie rabbit, Elwood?




Top
#14870 - 01/12/01 12:57 PM Re: but
Max Quordlepleen Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 08/12/00
Posts: 3409
In reply to:

paulb is from Tasmania

Ah yes, home of David Boon, that freak of nature. How someone with his less-than whippet-like frame could be such an outstanding fielder at suicidal mid-on or mid-off still remains a mystery to me.


Top
#14871 - 01/12/01 01:20 PM Re: but
Capital Kiwi Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/00
Posts: 3146
Loc: Northamptonshire, England
sort of a giant Aussie rabbit, Elwood?

Yes, and therein lies a tail.

_________________________
The idiot also known as Capfka ...

Top
#14872 - 01/12/01 01:24 PM Re: but
Capital Kiwi Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/13/00
Posts: 3146
Loc: Northamptonshire, England
Max wonders: Ah yes, home of David Boon, that freak of nature. How someone with his less-than whippet-like frame could be such an outstanding fielder at suicidal mid-on or mid-off still remains a mystery to me.

But not to me. He's of "typical" Tasmanian build and attitude. He must have appeared to be a damned-near insuperable obstacle to batsmen. The effect of his presence at silly mid on was as much pyschological as physical! NZ batsmen hated it.

_________________________
The idiot also known as Capfka ...

Top
#14873 - 01/12/01 02:30 PM Re: but
Bobyoungbalt Offline
veteran

Registered: 11/22/00
Posts: 1289
In reply to:

silly mid-on

Since some of you were so good as to explain to us benighted Yanks what LBW is, how about this colorful term?


Top
Page 5 of 8 < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >


Moderator:  Jackie 
Forum Stats
8453 Members
16 Forums
13691 Topics
210115 Posts

Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM
Newest Members
zhangzhen, dene13, MariaAnastasia, MNPrasad, Krysto4
8453 Registered Users
Who's Online
1 registered (jenny jenny), 19 Guests and 1 Spider online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters (30 Days)
LukeJavan8 98
endymion6 71
wofahulicodoc 71
jenny jenny 69
teepee 23
Rhubarb Commando 16
Faldage 14
tsuwm 9
anddrewlee 6
Jackie 4
June
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Board Rules · Mark all read
Contact Us · Wordsmith.org · Top

Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 2013 Wordsmith