Godot Taxis
Thursday 8th January 2009 10:37pm
5,742 posts
Quote: Griff @ January 8 2009, 5:22 PM GMT
Re vinegar strokes - has anyone got a Profanisaurus? (the definitive reference work)
Griff, the profanisaurus is not reference work - most of it's definitions are jokes. It gives the definition that Nick quotes above, which is plausible, although I don't know anyone who tastes vinegar on a regular basis. I think my def is more accurate.
Etymology is complex. People say 'I'll give you a tinkle', which is clearly derived from the expression 'I'll give you a bell', which of course refers to Alexander Bell, rather than the bell in the telephone.
Similar misunderstandings are attached to the derivation of the word 'bullshit' which I'll post if anyone's f**king interested.
Quote: zooo @ January 8 2009, 5:29 PM GMT
Oh Mr. Curmudgeon, go and listen to Stephen Fry's latest blog and become less curmudgeonly about language and that.
Sorry Zoo, but I don't like the idea of British people learning to speak English from American films and TV shows.