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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
One I have actually used in letters of recommendation: "You will be very fortunate if you can get this person to work for you." I of course then go on to explain what I mean, but it does get the attention of the reader, which focuses the reader's attention on the person for whom I have given a recommendation. Four out of five times it results in favorable attention.
TEd
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
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OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
"May you live in interesting times," is, I think, Chinese.
As is, "may your life be filled with lawyers." Which mine is.
[tying this into another thread] Et tu, Father Steve?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771 |
So this woman finds a bottle on some beach, rubs it, and out pops a genie. "I'll grant you three wishes, anything you want, but your husband will get 10 times what you wish for in addition." First she asks for a million dollars. It's hers, and her husband is instantly bestowed with ten million dollars. Next she asks for a gorgeous young mate. He pops into being next to her, and her husband gets a woman 10 times as beautiful as the hunk standing by his wife. Her final request? "I'd like a mild heart attack." 
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771 |
In reply to:
"If brains were gasoline some people wouldn't have enough to drive a moped once around a cheerio." -unknown
A dearly-loved alternative to the "making a mountain out of a molehill" sentiment is "pole-vaulting over a mouse turd". This moped/Cheerio business now ranks in my top 10 mental images, in the distinguished company of said turd-vaulting.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 347
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 347 |
wwh asks: Dear CK: How do you define scatology? To me it means having to do with excreta, not illicit love. wwh
Merriam-Webster gives the following two meanings:
1 : interest in or treatment of obscene matters especially in literature
2 : the biologically oriented study of excrement (as for taxonomic purposes or for the determination of diet)
So, whilst the word comes from the Greek skat- for excrement, I think its more common usage in English relates to meaning (1), i.e. as a synonym for obscene, coarse, vulgar, indecent, improper, etc.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Catching up on these posts brought to mind an old poem that is an amazing exposition of Irish curses. The poem is the cursing of the man who stole a goose and the title -- which eludes me -- is something like Nell Flarity's Goose.(Flahretty's) (Drake?) Anyone know the real name of where I might find it? I spent the better part of an afternoon awhile ago trying to track it down on the web but my skills fell short.
Any help received gratefully.
wow
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Ya jus gots ta spel ut raight.
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Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
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Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
English is a sorry source of evocative curses The syntax, texture, and sheer mouth-stretching flow of Elizabethan English can be a rich source of inspiration. Try a few random combinations, and it will guarantee to get your creative vitriol flowing when next needed, thou beslubbering flap-mouthed bladder, son of a puking idle-headed maggot pie..!  http://www.ifsja.org/humor/172.shtml
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
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OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
Thanks, mav. You reeky fen-sucked clotpole, you.
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