Biggest pet peeves?

[legerdemer]

It strikes me that, having a "multi-cultural society", there's a real difference in stress with swear words. Make no bones about it, people, these are (traditionally) assessed as 'swear words'; ie., words not used in what was once called "polite society".
The result is that some swear words, probably imported from wherever (and, of course, the returning military) mean slightly different things to different people.

That gorgeous bird in the corner of the bar may have a cunt as big as the Mersey Tunnel or the Thames estuary, but it's not a description one might use to any but ones most intimate of friends, and then fairly quietly. But the stupid SOB who drops your TV or Ming vase may well get called a "cunt" at fairly high volume if he drops it.
Please note the difference. To call someone a cunt implies that they are more than slightly dim.

The term "dick" is a long-used words to describe a person who is not quite with it or up to speed. One who makes mistakes despite being told and/ or taught. These days it is more often "dick-head" (or even 'bell-end'). It ain't often used in terms of the physical size of his prick.

I've always been mystified by the use of "bloody" as a swear word - where does that come from ? (I know I could look it up in the OED, but why do that when I have real live Brits to annoy? )

 

[SamScribble]

I have to stop and think three times about that one, as well. And I try to completely write around the who/whom issue.

I think most UK editors have accepted who replacing whom - except where it follows a preposition (of whom, with whom, by whom, etc).

 

[sr71plt]

I think most UK editors have accepted who replacing whom - except where it follows a preposition (of whom, with whom, by whom, etc).

Thanks. When I'm called on it, I'll just say "I had a flash of British."

 

[CharleneBarr]

I've always been mystified by the use of "bloody" as a swear word - where does that come from ? (I know I could look it up in the OED, but why do that when I have real live Brits to annoy? )

I understand 'bloody' to be a contraction of the medieval 'By Our Lady'.....

 

[Hypoxia]

I understand 'bloody' to be a contraction of the medieval 'By Our Lady'.....

I read that it's from By God's Blood -- but nobody really knows.

 

[Handley_Page]

I've always been mystified by the use of "bloody" as a swear word - where does that come from ? (I know I could look it up in the OED, but why do that when I have real live Brits to annoy? )

From my Oxford ED:-

Used vaguely as a strong imprecation or intensive; exceedingly, very; confoundedly, damnably. Also inserted within words (tmesis). (In general colloq. use until M18; later regarded as on a par with obscene or profane language, hence numerous euphemistic alternatives as blasted, blinking, blooming, etc.; now usu. regarded as strong but not deeply offensive.) L17.

---------------------------------------------------------
Excerpted from Oxford Talking Dictionary
Copyright © 1998 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


I do hope this has cleared up any confusion.

 

[legerdemer]

From my Oxford ED:-

Used vaguely as a strong imprecation or intensive; exceedingly, very; confoundedly, damnably. Also inserted within words (tmesis). (In general colloq. use until M18; later regarded as on a par with obscene or profane language, hence numerous euphemistic alternatives as blasted, blinking, blooming, etc.; now usu. regarded as strong but not deeply offensive.) L17.

---------------------------------------------------------
Excerpted from Oxford Talking Dictionary
Copyright © 1998 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


I do hope this has cleared up any confusion.

It certainly bloody well did.

 

[lovecraft68]

I know people get pissed when a series is never finished...

I want to add the opposite. Series that were once promising and original, but will never end and just keep doing the same thing over and over in every chapter because they seem afraid to end it.

 

[SandraMustard]

Readers who tell their own story in a comment on mine.

 

[lovecraft68]

Readers who tell their own story in a comment on mine.

In LW some of the comments are longer than the stories.

One whacko left one on mine so long I copy pasted it into word to see how long and it was close to 2k words....

There's something out there called a life, get one....

 

[tanyachrs]

I usually get those by email.

 

[Handley_Page]

It certainly bloody well did.

It is incorrect to use 'certainly' and 'bloody' like that.

This is more like it:-
It bloody well did

PS. My ole' Dad told me that it was from 'God's Blood'

PPS.
Despite this thread and several others of similar repute, I read a newly-posted story last night and - well blow me down - she was described in some detail. All it needed was her DNA profile and one would know here instantly.
34DD indeed!

 

[lovecraft68]

My cousin worked at Fredericks for a few years before moving on to Victoria secret.

At gatherings she will watch women go by and say their measurement. Both size and cup. She's never been wrong.

I'm simple, for me they're small, medium, big and "Damn!"

 

[tanyachrs]

I went to Victoria's Secret with a friend to get fitted once, because they're always putting it out there that women don't know their real bra size. We were both told we were the same size, despite our bodies and breasts being very different. Also, they didn't stock bras in that size, despite it apparently being the size that everyone is. So I went back to wearing my normal size and now understand that bras sizes tell you nothing.