English Literature sayings

[HK1837]

Want to make yourself look smart in general conversation? Memorise these.

http://listverse.com/2009/03/23/10-m...ommon-sayings/

[wbute]

I love the use/miss-use of English. I miss-use it all the time as most people probably do. However, I have to add one to the list that jumps to mind;
a politician does a backflip. This does not mean what it is intended to mean. When someone does a backflip, they end up facing the same way. The phrase that should be used is; to do a one hundred and eighty degree turn on a decision.

Actually the correct phrase should be; yes you are a lying tool.

[Blocker]

^{I am always amused when people say "I saw it with my very own eyes".
Not just your own eyes but your VERY own eyes', the tautology is astounding.}

[Absinth]

Want to make yourself look smart in general conversation? Memorise these.

http://listverse.com/2009/03/23/10-m...ommon-sayings/

Only two of those I didn't know the correct meaning or pronunciation of.....

"Fit as a Fiddle" Never made sense to me and I never used it.... I always say "as healthy as an Ox"

"beg the question" I had never heard of.


Blocker... "I saw it with my own eyes" is a correct saying.... people have added "very" to give it emphasis. It means you didn't "see it through someone elses eyes" IE have it described to you... and in later years that you didn't see it in a photo, poster etc. "I saw it in the flesh" is another saying that means the same thing.

[Blocker]

Blocker... "I saw it with my own eyes" is a correct saying.... people have added "very" to give it emphasis. It means you didn't "see it through someone elses eyes" IE have it described to you...

It may be a "saying" but it is poor grammar. The use of the word "see" means to perceive by the eye, it is not possible to see with any other eye other than your own (unless you had an organ transplant, but the argument could be had that the eye is now yours anyway).
Having something described to you, as you put it would be using different organ called the ears.

Pleonasm: A form of redundancy, a phrase or word that repeats itself.
Incorrect: “Twelve noon.” Correct:“noon.”
Incorrect: “one a.m. in the morning.” Correct: “one a.m.”
Incorrect: “round in shape.” Correct: “round.”
Incorrect: “revert back."Correct:“revert."
Incorrect: “free gift." Correct:“gift."
Incorrect: “I saw it with my own eyes.” Correct: “I saw it.”

[wbute]

One bit of Aussie slang that got me into trouble in Canada all the time was saying "no I'm right thanks" when asked if I wanted something.
Waitress asks my mate Davo if he wanted a drink with his meal. He replied "no I'm right thanks". She left with a confused look, came back in a while and asked Davo how she should make that for him.

[Dago]

I try to be a bit of a nazi when it comes to grammar. I think it's important. The youth of today, ie the 'y generation' have no concept at all. My bitch today is about the use of the word 'then' instead of 'than.

For example, my Sandman is better THEN yours.

So completely wrong and incorrect. In my opinion, this has become more and more common. I can't go a day without seeing it used on Facebook. My Girlfriend says I'm too harsh and it's only because I am a grammar Nazi that I notice.

I think it's grade 3 English, but maybe I'm wrong..?

[HK1837]

That is an easy fix. Stay away from Facebook!

[Gaddy]

Another thing that bugs me is the phrase "Near Miss"
When your on a job site etc you are supposed to report "Near Misses" to the OHS ppl!
Now correct me if im wrong, but if it "Nearly Missed", does that not mean that it actually "HIT"!???

[HK1837]

We have fixed that one at work, and they are termed "near hits"