Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

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

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#916 03/24/00 09:36 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1
S
Shi2p2e Offline OP
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
S
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1
About twenty years ago, on his night time talk show, Dick Cavett mused that there was only one two-syllable word in the English language that had an equal accent on both syllables. He went on to say that he couldn't remember what it was. Does anyone else know?




David.
#917 03/25/00 02:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
?


#918 03/25/00 02:52 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
hmmm... I think I know, but my word didn't come through, probably because it is profane.


#919 03/25/00 07:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 140
member
Offline
member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 140
How about "Sushi"? Well, it must be English by now, surely?


#920 04/03/00 12:24 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 81
P
journeyman
Offline
journeyman
P
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 81
The droppings of the male bovine animal fits the bill


#921 04/03/00 09:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Thank you, Philip! That was the word that came to my mind, but I didn't think to euphemize it. :-)


#922 04/03/00 10:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 81
P
journeyman
Offline
journeyman
P
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 81
I loathe a great many euphemisms, partly because they are often silly and partly because they are closely linked with class in the UK, with the none euphemistic, straight forward and honest terms being associated with the working classes. (ie Loo; toilet; shithouse). Since the none euphemistic terms are usually germanic and the euphemisms french it can be seen this class differentiation goes book to the Norman conquest.
However if you are compelled to use euphemisms it is important to do so with some wit.
By the way, where I live, in Birmingham UK, all words are pronounced with equal emphasis on all syllables!


#923 04/04/00 11:53 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
old hand
Offline
old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
Well, I am not a native English speaker, but what about "aardvark" and "moonlight"?


#924 04/04/00 12:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
J
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
J
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
On the other hand I love euphemisms. I'm particularly fascinated by words that really are very far off the mark.

I was asked by a desperate American for a bathroom and spent ages trying to think where she could go for a bath in Central London. In the end she only wanted to find a place to go for a rest (rest-room), so I suggested she lie down on the chairs in the railway station. If she had have only said she wanted to "powder her nose" I'm sure I could have helped her much quicker!











#925 04/04/00 12:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
J
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
J
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Phillip

I see what you mean - the word Birmingham has three syllables with equal emphasis.



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 302 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
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

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5