Early Risers.

[Darlington_Shed]

8 hours ago, Tony_S said:

the scenery sounds wonderful in the novels she is currently reading.

 

John Sandford's Davenport and Flowers novels?

 

I'm a big fan!

[Ozexpatriate]

23 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

“GIFTED” is the latest word I’ve come across that is guaranteed to provoke a Victor Meldrewish apoplexy in anyone who cares about the English language.

OED

Quote

The earliest known use of the adjective gifted is in the mid 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for gifted is from 1644, in Minutes Westm. Assembly

I don't have a subscription to check which meaning this is.

 

Etymology Online suggests:

Quote

gifted (adj.)

"talented, endowed by nature with some skill or power," 1640s, past-participle adjective from gift (v.). Related: Giftedness.

also from 1640s

My underline

 

EDIT:

I appreciate that the adjectival form (as a noun) is the one employed by Gary Larson in his immortal "Far Side" work:

 

But I'd be surprised if gifted as a past tense verb doesn't have a long pedigree. Further trawling with better keywords found this NPR interview with the following reference:

Quote

At least since the 1500s you can go back and find examples of an earl gifting a church go to the town council house. So gift has been around as a verb for a long time, but there is something about it that seems new. 

.

Edited January 6 by Ozexpatriate
Added cartoon and reference to gift as a verb

[Ozexpatriate]

18 hours ago, Barry O said:

English language and Grammar has never been the same since the start of importing and screening American Television programmes.

Zounds! I doubt it not that in the reign of Her late Majesty the Virgin Queen, defenders of the plain and fair speech of England’s green and pleasant land did verily protest the argot of that lewd playwright of Stratford, whose vile inventions poisoned the lingua Anglia with noxious novelties n’er seen afore, and more grievously were constructed as frivolities for low entertainments to amuse the base-born unwash’d; diverting their attention from prayerfulness and proper attention to labours increasing the common weal.

 

A goodly number of so-called Americanisms were traditional English lovingly* kept in a colonial time capsule and later returned home – like the use of “Fall” for Autumn.

 

* Well not always 'lovingly'

 

My dad used to complain about Americanisms. But his favourite movies were Hollywood interpretations of Broadway musicals - particularly featuring Gene Kelly. I always found that a bit ironic.

[Ozexpatriate]

6 hours ago, PupCam said:

I believe from my training many years ago that at one point someone proved that anything more complex than 10 lines of code could not be formerly "formally" proven to be correct in every circumstance. 

Formal proof technology has come a long way in the last couple of decades.

 

It is extensively used in hardware design but usually requires a lot of constraints to be effective. Formal property checking can be effective with software. It is a growing field.

[Ozexpatriate]

1 hour ago, monkeysarefun said:

 On every  OZ teenage boys wall in the 80's!

Can't hear Divinyls "I touch myself" without thinking of this:

The clip is cut before this bit:

 

"Wait Vanessa, I can explain. You see, I was looking for Dr. Evil when the Fembots came out and smoke started coming out of their jubblies. So I started to work my mojo, to counter their mojo; we got cross-mojulation, and their heads started exploding."

 

Edited January 6 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

18 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

"Temu", (whoever they are)

Wikipedia: Temu

 

Owned by the same company as Pinduoduo.

 

If the likes of Amazon or AliBaba make you uncomfortable, then Pinduoduo and Temu will have you running for the hills.

 

[BR60103]

There are two points in grammar that currently grate on me.

One is in the "plink, plank, plunk" verbs where the pp is used as the past.  With the current events in the Middle East, I keep reading "The ship sunk".

 

Another is the disappearance of participles.  A container with multiple DVDs in it is called a "box set" when it should be "boxed set" And a certain kitchen apparatus is being called a "fry pan".

 

 

[Ozexpatriate]

1 minute ago, BR60103 said:

Another is the disappearance of participles.  A container with multiple DVDs in it is called a "box set" when it should be "boxed set" And a certain kitchen apparatus is being called a "fry pan".

Like roast beef? 😃

 

I note the advent of the death of adverbs - extensively used in advertising to punch up the copy - like "Eat healthy" rather than "eat healthily". My reaction is "eat healthy what exactly?".

 

Similar to "Eat Fresh" (the old Subway slogan).

 

My guess is that adverbial form (particularly -ly) will disappear- despite the best efforts of Tom Lehrer.

[Grizz]

2 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Like roast beef? 😃

 

I note the advent of the death of adverbs - extensively used in advertising to punch up the copy - like "Eat healthy" rather than "eat healthily". My reaction is "eat healthy what exactly?".

 

Similar to "Eat Fresh" (the old Subway slogan).

 

My guess is that adverbial form (particularly -ly) will disappear- despite the best efforts of Tom Lehrer.

Yeah….i agree…….like what he said. 

[iL Dottore]

4 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

OED

I don't have a subscription to check which meaning this is.

 

Etymology Online suggests:

My underline

 

EDIT:

I appreciate that the adjectival form (as a noun) is the one employed by Gary Larson in his immortal "Far Side" work:

 

But I'd be surprised if gifted as a past tense verb doesn't have a long pedigree. Further trawling with better keywords found this NPR interview with the following reference:

.

Just because it’s old with a long pedigree doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be eradicated.

 

Smallpox was old with a long pedigree and we (eventually) managed to get rid of that.

 

“Gifted” as an adjective = fine; “Gifted” as a verb? On with the black cap! 🤣

[iL Dottore]

10 hours ago, PupCam said:

 

In addition, let's hope that every innocent person's good name (alive or dead) is cleared* and  I suppose it's way too much to hope for that those culpable pay a suitable price* and find out just how hard life can be.

 

Captain Cynical has made notes….

[monkeysarefun]

19 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Just because it’s old with a long pedigree doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be eradicated.

 

Smallpox was old with a long pedigree and we (eventually) managed to get rid of that.

 

“Gifted” as an adjective = fine; “Gifted” as a verb? On with the black cap! 🤣

 

 

Can I add "Medalled"  as in for instance "England Medalled in the swimming final " (Not that you'd hear that ever). 

 

I always hear it as "meddled" which brings up suspicions.

Edited January 6 by monkeysarefun

[iL Dottore]

One of the biggest strengths of English as a language is that is a language of loose morals, inasmuch as it will associate itself with any vocabulary that promises it a good word or two (according to one lexicographer “As many as 350 other languages are represented [in English] and their linguistic contributions actually make up about 80% of English!“)

 

Additionally, as it has become (pretty much) the world’s lingua franca, many versions of English have emerged. Apart from the usual suspects (US, NZ, SA, OZ, Eire), many countries that use English as a lingua franca between various linguistic groups in those countries; from which such countries have developed their own version of English (India and Switzerland come to mind). As Dr McCoy (never) said “it’s English, Jim. But not as we know it”.

 

For example: “Swenglish” (Swiss English) may use the OED vocabulary, but much of the phrasing and sentence construction comes from the Swiss languages (German, Italian, French) - which does take some getting used to.

 

Finally, to make a (possibly) contentious observation: English - as a language - is better taught in countries where it is a foreign language than in those countries where it’s the mother tongue!

[jjb1970]

I am back in Singapore, global warming is out of control, temperature has gone up by over 20C in the space of a single day, at this rate the world will be uninhabitable tomorrow🫣

 

The flight was a long one, actual flying time isn't that much longer via Beijing at the moment (16 vs. about 14) because Air China still fly over Russia but of course there's the transfer time in Beijing (three and a half hours yesterday). That said, Beijing Capital is one of my favourite transfer airports because it is a good airport for taking photographs and there's lots of interesting aircraft activity so I actually enjoy transferring there. Bizarrely, China is much more open about taking pictures than Singapore, there is no issue taking pictures at Beijing Capital whereas Singapore Changi is a protected place. You are allowed to take pictures of aircraft in Singapore, but not the airport, which in practical terms means they don't like any photography looking outside from the terminal and it is not allowed to take photographs over the fence from outside.

[monkeysarefun]

3 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

One of the biggest strengths of English as a language is that is a language of loose morals, inasmuch as it will associate itself with any vocabulary that promises it a good word or two (according to one lexicographer “As many as 350 other languages are represented [in English] and their linguistic contributions actually make up about 80% of English!“)

 

Additionally, as it has become (pretty much) the world’s lingua franca, many versions of English have emerged. Apart from the usual suspects (US, NZ, SA, OZ, Eire), many countries that use English as a lingua franca between various linguistic groups in those countries; from which such countries have developed their own version of English (India and Switzerland come to mind). As Dr McCoy (never) said “it’s English, Jim. But not as we know it”.

 

For example: “Swenglish” (Swiss English) may use the OED vocabulary, but much of the phrasing and sentence construction comes from the Swiss languages (German, Italian, French) - which does take some getting used to.

 

Finally, to make a (possibly) contentious observation: English - as a language - is better taught in countries where it is a foreign language than in those countries where it’s the mother tongue!

 

 

Sometimes for sheer fun I read the BBC in Pidgin instead.

 

https://www.bbc.com/pidgin

 

[jjb1970]

I was at school in an era when the fashionable theory of the moment was to prioritise being able to express oneself was all that mattered, so we weren't taught grammar or more traditional linguistic structure and rules. I can't help feeling my generation lost something as a result, of course it's important to be able to use language to express ourselves, but grammar still matters and at a certain point correct use of language is essential to convey ideas clearly and unambiguously.

 

On the other hand, I agree that one of the strengths of the English language is it has always been happy to steal with pride and is constantly evolving as a live language. I'm of an age where I listen to words used by younger people and think 'eh?' but that has always been the case and is a reason why it's such a vibrant language.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Still quite dull,  it's cloudy and will remain that way for much of the day with a few light showers along the way.  A chilly day forecast with the chance of some brighter spells later in the afternoon.  5°C rising to 7°C.

Bin lorry came and went at 06.55 followed by a neighbour having a Waitrose delivery at 07.00.    Waitrose always seem to make a lot of noise when delivering, sounds like crates being chucked around in the van.  Sainsbury's and Tesco are much quieter by comparison.  Any noise around this time upsets adjoining neighbour who is a lady bouncer security operative who works late shifts and often makes her feelings heard loudly. Very loudly in fact, she sometimes gets quite, shall we say,  "vocal."

Rugby watched last night, a bit of a scrappy match and Bristol managed a win at Sale who have been undefeated at home for quite some time.  Another match will be watched later.

Slight change of plans this morning as Steve is visiting today instead of tomorrow so the Christmas decorations will disappear into the loft which will please The Boss.  I believe some discussions will also be taking place about our forthcoming cruise as final payment is looming and I have to arrange our travel insurance.  I've got general travel insurance with my bank account but the cruise company insist on specific "cruise cover" and that (for me ) can become expensive once I start listing my various ailments.  The forthcoming operation probably won't help matters either.

Tea was taken to The Boss earlier and She has made an appearance but has yet to utter the magic words.

I may gettamoveon before she does.

Have good one,

Bob.

Edited January 6 by grandadbob

[Hroth]

39 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

 

Can I add "Medalled"  as in for instance "England Medalled in the swimming final " (Not that you'd hear that ever). 

 

I always hear it as "meddled" which brings up suspicions.

 

May I refer my esteemed colleague to the medal tables in recent Olympics, especially in 2012 where England "medalled" in a wide range of sports, including swimming.  But, to quote a famous fictional civil servant, "Meddled? You may think so, I couldn't possibly comment... "

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Slept well.

 

Off to the MRS later to crate up a lot of wooden boxes with parallel bits of metal on them. That's my afternoon taken care of!

 

Watched a programme about Ferdinand Porsche last night. A lot "dumbed down" unfortunately but it filled a gap inthe evening.

 

Time to gerronwithit!

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

[monkeysarefun]

I just went out the  to see how much of the wildlife I could photograph in 10 minutes as they had their evening feed.

 

Two for one - Wonga Pigeon and juvenile magpie

 

 

 

 

A distant  Galah.

 

 

Should have taken a shot of the kangaroo 10 seconds earlier, I  almost missed it as it hopped into the scrub.

 

 

 

[Hroth]

 

Now that is one dyspeptic looking pigeon!

 

I wonder what it ate that disagreed with it so much...

 

 

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

About 7 hours sleep in three pieces, during an awake saw my late brother's house on a TV programme about railway architecture, as it's close the Knaresborough viaduct.

 

Ben the I insist on going out Collie had a good patrol, he was playing his game of looking like he wanted a pat on the head and reassurance, but bounding away when i reached him.he is a cheeky collie.

 

The water levels have dropped considerably, the lower grass areas are still a muddy semi liquid. It's still a multiple hippo sized muddy hollow.

Current temperature 5C, forecast to drop to 4C, 50% cloud cover of the Welkin, a cold North North Easterly.

 

Plans for today,

Put padded insulated overalls on..

Hopefully finish the shed doors, at least get the second one hung, depends how cold I get.

Warm up again,

Muddling.

[DaveF]

It is almost fine here with a few drops of rain now and then from a rather cloudy sky with a few small blue bits.

 

Shortly I shall head off in my car to Newcastle to refresh my memory of the route to the Nuffield in preparation for my appointment on Monday evening about the hernia.  It's almost six years since I was last there and I know there have been some changes to at least one section of road.  On the way I "happen" to pass a camera shop so I want to see where to park as on Monday I will set off early to avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic and stop and look at cameras on the way.  I am thinking of buying something a bit lighter than my current Nikon with its selection of lenses.  Something with full manual control but not interchangeable lenses.  I will then keep the Nikon to use now and then.

 

As you may gather I very rarely go to Newcastle as there is nothing I need there, if I need to go to the city centre then the bus from a stop five minutes walk from home is easier.  If I find the journey tiresome either today or on Monday then in future I will get a taxi, the cost is tiny compared to what I will be having done.

 

I may stop somewhere for coffee while I am out.  The rest of the day will be either something with photographs or modelmaking, if I don't sit down and read.

 

David

[Grizz]

1 hour ago, jjb1970 said:

I was at school in an era when the fashionable theory of the moment was to prioritise being able to express oneself was all that mattered, so we weren't taught grammar or more traditional linguistic structure and rules. I can't help feeling my generation lost something as a result, of course it's important to be able to use language to express ourselves, but grammar still matters and at a certain point correct use of language is essential to convey ideas clearly and unambiguously.

 

On the other hand, I agree that one of the strengths of the English language is it has always been happy to steal with pride and is constantly evolving as a live language. I'm of an age where I listen to words used by younger people and think 'eh?' but that has always been the case and is a reason why it's such a vibrant language.

Schools do seem to go through fashions, I was taught Phonics….

Today the English language in the UK has been politicised. I have seen this first hand, having worked within a transport .gov.uk organisation in London. I’m my experience there are aggressively active elements within that organisation who are positively pushing agendas to establish grammar and language rules to further their political view points. Driven by H.R. (Hindering Resolution). I was once in a meeting and told officially to my face that “the breaking down of the established language norms within our organisation was a restorative part of the dismantling of the empire and its oppressive legacy”…..whatever the fudge that is meant to mean? 
 

What a good job that I was learned to talk proper on the odd occasion that went to skool. 😂

[Andy Hayter]

My bug-bear: pressurised.

 

"The PM was pressurized to issue a statement."

 

Now I know politicians are full of gas but they are pressured to issue a statement.  Beer kegs are pressurised.