#41916
09/21/2001 5:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
You mean you're just freezing us out from time to time? Typical! 
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#41917
09/21/2001 6:06 AM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
just chillin' out, not meaning to give anyone the cold shoulder.
Bingley
Bingley
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#41918
09/21/2001 11:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
Oh, you-all, my sides hurt--you-all're killin' me!  Where to start? Oh, I know: It was bigamy to bring that up! Trust you for that, Ted!  ...it seems strange to me that both the brother of your spouse and the spouse of your brother are given the same title. This seems strange to me, too, unless it is where homosexual marriages are legal. ...solicitors-general, attorneys-general, and even Governors-general...passersby...handsful Good ones, brethren. figging leaves...cryogenics...just chillin' out, not meaning to give anyone the cold shoulder You mean you're just freezing us out from time to time? Oh, ow ow ow!
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#41919
09/21/2001 2:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
addict
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addict
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609 |
attorneys general
I have been told (but disagree with) the notion that trade union follows the same rule, so the plural would be trades union. To me, the noun is union and the modifier is trade so the plural is trade unions. If the union incoporates several trades then it is a trades union.
In fact my POD agrees with me:
Trades Union Congress n. official representative body of British trade unions. I
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#41920
09/21/2001 4:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Oooops...you're right Bingley. It was the size of Geoff's fig leaf we discussed. We would never discuss your fig leaf size, no sireee bob. The size of your fig leaf is the stuff of history. Now whether it is the history of comedy or that of heroic deeds is an other matter.
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#41921
09/21/2001 5:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 2,605 |
While fully appreciating that bel's hysterical -- oops, "historical" -- post above was but a scholarly scientific interest in fig-leaf sizing: botany and all,
had I not undertood that this board is devoted to matters linguistic, not scientific?
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#41922
09/21/2001 6:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 2,891 |
But of course Keiva dear. The linguistics of botany is quite interesting dontcha know. *Somebody’s* feeling a little threatened by fig-leaf comparisons. Men are sooo sensitive about their botany.
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#41923
09/21/2001 8:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Bel says, Men are sooo sensitive about their botanyNo, bel, your interest in fig leaves is a of matter botany, as I'd said. Now had you been talking about men, I'd have said your scientific interest was zoology -- but would have been compelled to  for you.
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#41924
09/22/2001 2:36 AM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
Somebody’s* feeling a little threatened by fig-leaf comparisons. Men are sooo sensitive about their botany.bel, that was great! Oooops...you're right Bingley... The size of your fig leaf is the stuff of history. Well now, I feel sure that our Mr. B. surely has a wide variety...
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#41925
09/22/2001 2:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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bel says, "Men are sooo sensitive about their botany."
bel, according to my dictionary the word "about" can mean either:
a) in the immediate vicinity of;
b) with regard to.
In which sense were you using that word?
May I adjudge from context that you were using the first sense (as your main reference concerned biology rather than psychology)?
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#41926
09/22/2001 3:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
May I adjudge from context that you were using the first sense (as your main reference concerned biology rather than psychology)?No, no, Keiva, she said botany. 
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#41927
09/22/2001 4:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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(1) Jackie, this can be resolved only with bel's participation.
That is, you cannot hope to win a "no-bel peace prize". Who, after all, is "in the soup"?
(2) Substantively: since botany=plants (not animals), we must conclude that as to botany, men haven't gotany.
So when bel said, "Men are sooo sensitive about their botany," she had the wrong scientific term, which I corrected.
The more-primary definition of "about" is the first one I cited, further suggesting that bel's comment concerned male biology, rather than male psychology. But bel must clarify this, if she wishes we men to respond properly.
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#41928
09/22/2001 4:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 328
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 328 |
homosexual marriages
A question about this just occurred to me: Does one party in a homosexual marriage take the last name of the other, or do they both keep their original names? Or do they hyphenate them?
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#41929
09/22/2001 5:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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well rather than talking about botany or zoology,Bel could have been on about biology, more specifically about symbiotic relationships.. and in this case, men might well be concerned about their botany.
and while we're on the subject, aren't Fig trees botanically related to rubber trees?
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#41930
09/22/2001 5:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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while we're on the subject, aren't Fig trees botanically related to rubber trees?
Now stop that, Helen. My sides are splitting!
note: blue color chosen on purpose.
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#41931
09/22/2001 6:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 2,891 |
aren't Fig trees botanically related to rubber trees?
Helen, that is absolutely great. Bravo, bravo, clap, clap, clap, clap.
Oh wait, sorry, sorry, if you have rubber you don't get the clap.
Now, do we ladies HAVE to exlain all this stuff to you gents, who are evidently having a little trouble over the inuendo flying back and forth. Whoosh, right over their little heads heh ladies?
(snicker snicker, little heads, snicker)
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#41932
09/22/2001 6:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 5,400 |
I dunno, i don't think its their little heads that are really causing the problems- unless it's a problem with a vascular disease that has some how impeeded the flow of blood to the head they are supposed to be able to think with.
oh wait, that does really clear things up, does it?
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#41933
09/22/2001 6:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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of Troy: aren't Fig trees botanically related to rubber trees?
wow: My sides are splitting!
Is it coincidental, my dears, that your two posts were near-simultaneous with bel's post, in another thread, concerning unplanned pregnancies?
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#41934
09/22/2001 6:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 5,400 |
so what your point Keiva, do you think it is a conspiracy?
or are you afraid that great minds think alike and biology being destiny and all that, feel le(a)ft out..
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#41935
09/22/2001 7:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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feel left out? Not at all, dears, as bel, and old hand herself, specifically invited me to join her for drinks. I am an enthusiast, and you can anticipate I will participate, however you dissipate.
anatomy being destiny and all that
Agreed -- and you may note that the psychological texts include no such term as venus envy.
women of the world, united (bel, Jackie, of troy, and wow)
Ladies (a term used advisedly), as a well-respected, upstanding member of my community, I simply do not do that. At least one of you four will have to leave.
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#41936
09/22/2001 11:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14 |
I remember being taught "mothers-in-law" and "trades union" (and also "courts martial") as correct English (although I've never had call to use any of them). Along similar lines does anyone have an opinion on what is the accepted plural of "son of a gun" (and the obvious alternative)? What I was taught suggests "Sons of a gun", but common-sense dictates this can't be right - it would have to be "Sons of guns" because the "guns" would be different...
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#41937
09/23/2001 2:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
upstanding member That's it, I'm outta here. CK, may I borrow your tent? ========================================================== Goatboy (I am very curious as to how you came by that name, by the way), you're giving me a headache with your sons of guns. Try thinking of the expression as son-of-a-gun--that should clear things right up. 
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#41938
09/23/2001 11:52 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 3,146 |
That's it, I'm outta here. CK, may I borrow your tent?Well, I'll have to ask it, but I don't think it has anything on this weekend ... Nope, it's free. All yours. Come and get it.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#41939
09/23/2001 5:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Nope, it's free. All yours. Come and get it.Thanks, Sweetie! (whew) On my way.
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#41940
09/23/2001 6:15 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
<<(although I've never had call to use any of them)
As in, "I was speaking to my mothers-in-law"?
courts martial -- courts marital
trades union -- I've always heard trade union/trade unions; on no information and belief, I would guess trades union was singular and the plural 'trades unions'.
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#41941
09/23/2001 8:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>Sorry, Jo, but while the construction of "mother-in-law" is a noun modified by an adjective ...
Funny, I don't remember having a view on this, is my memory really that bad?
By the way, you are f-a-r from safe in Wellingborough, I am a great traveller you know and I have a very good information network. You will, like TEd, have to warm the teapot. Be warned.
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#41942
09/24/2001 2:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618 |
I'd be inclined to agree with Goatboy and go for sons of guns. The only similar example which springs to mind is son of a b**** which became sons of b****es in the movie "O brother, where art thou?" (Not that I necessarily believe this to be an optimal source of information)
And I managed to avoid any sexual innuendo. Except maybe inclined. And springs. Damn you people.
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#41943
09/24/2001 5:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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In reply to:
The size of your fig leaf is the stuff of history.
Just so long as it is understood that while it may be making history, it is not history yet.
Bingley
Bingley
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#41944
09/24/2001 7:26 AM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
addict
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addict
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Posts: 609 |
out-laws for in-laws
I have heard the phrase out-laws (for in-laws) and even parents-out-law fairly often, but it is usually applied to parents of the partner in a long standing but non-legalised partnership. Which leads to me to the word question, why are parents of a spouse in-law? Are there, or were there once upon a time, rights and responsibilities, bestowed by this relationship? Inheritance, rights of succession and wardship for child brides are areas that spring to mind as possibilities.
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#41945
09/24/2001 7:59 AM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I think the idea is that in (canon?) law your e.g. parents-in-law have the same relationship to you as your own parents for the rules about who you can and can't marry (after your spouse and theirs have died of course).
Bingley
Bingley
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#41946
09/24/2001 11:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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<<I think the idea is that in (canon?) law your e.g. parents-in-law have the same relationship to you as your own parents for the rules about who you can and can't marry..
YOU MEAN I CAN'T MARRY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW???!!!!!
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#41947
09/24/2001 12:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
addict
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addict
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Men are sooo sensitive about their botany.
whereas women are sooo sensitive about their bottomy!
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#41948
09/24/2001 4:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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TEd
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#41949
09/25/2001 5:54 AM
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Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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In reply to:
YOU MEAN I CAN'T MARRY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW???!!!!!
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Law, this has been possible in England since 1986, provided that both your wife and her father are dead. Divorce doesn't count for these purposes. A priest can refuse to marry you and your mother-in-law but you can have a civil marriage.
Bingley
Bingley
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#41950
09/25/2001 9:54 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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but you can have a civil marriage
which is more than can be said for many wives *EG*
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#41951
09/25/2001 11:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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civil marriage
Then does the term "Sybil marriage" refer to bigamy, or rather to the marriage (which of-troy suggested is ideal) in which he'll never see-'er?
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#41952
09/25/2001 11:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
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<<A priest can refuse to marry you
Bless you, Bingley! Let me see if I understand you aright; a priest can refuse to marry me, but my mother-in-law cannot?
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#41953
09/25/2001 3:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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In reply to:
Then does the term "Sybil marriage" refer to bigamy, or rather to the marriage (which of-troy suggested is ideal) in which he'll never see-'er?
BA-SIL
Bingley
Bingley
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#41954
09/25/2001 3:33 PM
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Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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In reply to:
a priest can refuse to marry me, but my mother-in-law cannot?
No,no. A priest can refuse to marry both of you.
Bingley
Bingley
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#41955
09/25/2001 3:55 PM
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Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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A priest can refuse to marry both of you.Bingley, if I take your sense aright, A priest, being celibate, would refuse to marry each of you. To marry both would be bigamy.
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