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Well, Bean, would you then also prefer that helpful become helpy?

"Oh, thank you, that's very helpy!" can I get another long "Whaaaaaaa" from you?


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Well, Bean, would you then also prefer that helpful become helpy? [emphasis added]

It's the become part of your statement that I disagree with. It never became "healthy" here, it always was "healthy" and "healthful" is new to me. BTW, the "healthy food" or "healthy vegetables" usage is in my Canadian dictionary, so it's not just that I personally have been using it "wrong" all my life!

Besides, I think we've all gotten the gist from this Board that "wrong" is relative. After all, I do have a Driver's Licence*, not License!


#57113 03/28/02 12:46 PM
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...we've all gotten the gist from this Board that "wrong" is relative. After all, I do have a Driver's Licence*, not License!

Any connection at all between that license and licentious?
Atomica :
1.Lacking moral discipline or ignoring legal restraint, especially in sexual conduct.
2. Having no regard for accepted rules or standards.

I once heard there have been some naughty goings on in some cars!




#57114 03/28/02 01:24 PM
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2. Having no regard for accepted rules or standards.

This is the province where drivers are likely to
(a) back up on a major street
(b) stop randomly to let a car in which is having trouble getting off a side street onto the main road
(c) stop randomly if a pedestrian even looks like they're thinking about crossing the street (causing great screeching of tires behind them)
(d) wave other cars through continuously at a four-way stop sign, without regard to right-of-way; or, alternatively, not stop at all, viewing the stop sign as merely a suggestion

So, I think definition (2) applies.

Regarding licentious: They say if you go up to Signal Hill at night (where some licentiouness apparently takes place), the city lights spell out "SEX". I haven't checked this one out personally.


#57115 03/28/02 05:43 PM
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My roommate and I have included "helpy" in our internal lexicon for about the past three years... it's convenient to have a goofy shorthand when you spend wa-a-a-a-a-ay too much time with someone! BTW, the opposite of "helpy" is "shmelpy" ~ an obvious extension of a la Max "Help, shmelp".


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would you then also prefer that helpful become helpy?

Or that hapful become happy?


#57117 03/29/02 10:50 PM
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wow's cross thread query ("I once heard there have been some naughty goings on in some cars!") prompts this cross thread response.

http://wordsmith.org/board/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=wordplay&Number=54981

Always glad to be the vehicle to be of service to a lady.


#57118 03/30/02 02:50 PM
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T'other staters that relocate permanently to Western Australia have to sit a written test to get a WA license. 20 questions, multiple choice, 17 or better to pass.

Most of 'em don't get more than 19. Why? - they blow the one "In what circumstance must you stop at a pedestrian crossing?" Have a go yourself, the possible answers are:

(a) Always, even if there are no pedestrians crossing.
(b) Only if you are in danger of colliding with a pedestrian that is crossing.
(c) When a pedestrian is about to step onto the crossing, no matter what side of the street they are on.
(d) Whenever there is a pedestrian on the crossing.

The correct answer is b!!!! I don't walk across roads any more - it's safer to go by car!

stales


#57119 03/31/02 02:29 AM
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#57120 03/31/02 11:23 AM
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Nope - Godstrewf. (Well it was the case when I last asked - haven't read the handbook for years).

What they're trying to say is that pedestrians have priority on a crossing. If there are no pedestrians, or if they're on the opposite side of the crossing, motorists should proceed (with caution). In NSW the rule is (was? Hev?) that as soon as a pedestrian sets foot on the crossing all traffic has to stop. I think the WA police figured this was over zealous if applied to a wide crossing. Once the basic idea was translated into police english it remained technically correct but, as you say, horrific.

stales


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