Curiosities of the English language

Apparatus Bic Lady Shaver - uses and meanings of sacred and profane "lady" in English

You've heard talk of Lady Diana and Lady Gaga there. But you know who was Lady Godiva? And you know what they mean Lady Chapel and lady-killer in the English language? Do not know? So learn now uses sacred and worldly lady in English. Follow me.

Hair Removal Device Bic Lady Shaver

In English lady (ladies plural) means lady, wife, noblewoman, housewife, lady, girlfriend, lover or beloved. Lady in the UK, is also the title of nobility.

Examples:

a) His wife was a real lady, with such nice manners.

b) Be quiet! Ladies of not shout in public.

"Our Lady"

Since we're talking about you, it is worth adding that, in English, is called Our Lady of Our Lady, and the Lady Chapel is called the Lady Chapel.

Stained Glass of Our Lady

Who was Lady Godiva?

In the eleventh century, Lady Godiva (say / leidi godaiva / English) was the wife of the Earl of Mercia. According to legend, she asked her husband to reduce taxes paid by the people of Coventry. He said he'd do it if she rode in a horse completely naked and ran through the city. She did it. And taxes were reduced.

Lady Godiva

Sculpture of John Thomas (1813-1862)

More interesting expressions with "lady"

Bag lady –  beggar. (mendiga.)

 Ladies’ man – womanizer (mulherengo)

 Lady-killer – womanizer, philanderer (conquistador, galanteador)

 Lady of the house – Housewife (dona de casa)

 Lady of the night – lady of the night, prostitute (dama da noite, prostitute)

 Ladybird (brit.)/ladybug (amer.) – Ladybug (joaninha)

How do you say "Corujão" (morning flight) in English?

           In Portuguese informal Corujão's flight conducted late at night, usually at reduced rates. In English, "o Corujão" is called red-eye as in We caught the red-eye from Recife and got to Rio de Janeiro at three this morning (Apanhamos um corujão do Recife e chegamos ao Rio de Janeiro às três horas da manhã ). In a translation to the letter, red-eye means "olho-avermelhado" due to the fact you stay awake or sleeping poorly in owl.

A Red-Eye Flight – Um Voo Corujão

Right and wrong in English: blunders committed by the guardians of the language

          The blacklist of "guardians of the language" is extensive. The rule against splitting the infinitive, as discussed in another article, is just one of them, there are many others. For example, the "guardians" declared war on expression It's me (me), decreeing that the only acceptable way is I. It's According to them, this way is more logical. Unfortunately for them, everybody says It's me, that is the universal form in English. The person that I can use It's being looked at as if there was something wrong with her. The same can happen if she uses other expressions also dictated by "guardians", eg, Whom did you see? (Who did you see?) Rather than Who did you see? that is perfectly normal and used by almost everyone with the utmost tranquility. The "guardians" Whom think, rather than who is more correct because that was how people spoke five hundred years ago and so did the rule: it is used to designate who the subject of a verb (Who keeps the keys? / Who holds the keys?) and Whom to designate the object. So Whom did you see? Now bounce off opponents, the idea is absurd. If we revive this word, so let's resurrect the thousands of others that have been used and discarded throughout the history of the language.

          More nonsense of the guardians of English

          In the list of prohibitions defended by "guardians" are several other forms of speech that are part of the language for centuries. For example, a sentence can not end with a preposition, you should not use a double negative, the habit of turning nouns into verbs should be avoided. However, they are all freely used in everyday English.

          Double Negative in English

          A good example is the famous double negative that the "guardians" swore death. Use two negations in the same sentence is a statement of ignorance, lack of education and class, they say. Thus, one should not use the word not, when we use any other negative term, for example, no one, nobody, nothing, none, neither, hardly, barely so. By the logic of grammarians, two are not equivalent to a yes. If we want to use the verb with the word not, must we change the second term negative for any. The rule simply does not take into account that, far from being an impropriety, the double negative was the normal English poet Chaucer, as was and still is in almost all European languages. While correct in Portuguese would say: Do not get no satisfaction, in English we would say: I can not get any satisfaction. Therefore, according to the "guardians", when Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, sings I can not get no satisfaction he's actually claiming that the four winds are delighted - which would cause astonishment to own Jagger. For mere mortals, it is difficult to understand why the singer would use the two negative reinforcement to declare to the world that, yes, he finds pleasure and satisfaction with the greatest of ease.

          Anyway, you must know that the rule is strictly observed in Inglês Standard and will be in all grammar books. But remember that many people around the world do not even take note of its existence, especially in the English spoken by less literate.

           Formation of English Verbs

           Another practice is condemned comfortable with that simple nouns are converted into verbs. (Americans have been attacked so far). Only the last 100 years were denounced as verbs: to access (access) to input (provide details) to impact (impact) to host (hosting) to parent (raising children) to chair (chair); to showcase (expose) to progress (progress) to contact (contact) to intrigue (intrigue) to head (to head).

           All these verbs are now so commonplace that English is difficult to understand why the controversy, especially when it comes to a conversion process that is part of the language for centuries. The big problem, according to the "guardians", is that people are slowly destroying the difference between a verb and a noun, resulting in a lack of clarity in reasoning and nerd and loose. In The Language Instinct, Steven Pinker is adamant: If someone suffers from a lack of clarity and slowed thinking, that someone are themselves "guardians" who do not follow the dynamics of language.

How do you say "Amigo da onça" and "Amigo urso" in English?

In Portuguese, the jaguar friend (or friend-bear) is false friend, who pretends to be a friend. In English, the friend of Oz is called fair-weather friend as in I thought he would always stick by me, but when i got into trouble, he turned out to be a fair-weather friend (I thought he would always be my side, but when I had problems, he became a friend of Oz). In a translated literally, means fair-weather friend friend of weather, ie the fair-weather friend is only your friend in times of prosperity and happiness. When you are in trouble, the fair-weather friend disappears.

Fair weather friends are your friends

(As long as it's convenient ...)

Shampoo Palmolive Fashion Girl - uses and meanings of "fashion" to mold their English

The English word fashion is well known in Brazil. Brazilians use it as an adjective in shoes or fashion it is all fashion. In English, however, fashion has many meanings. And many of these meanings have nothing to do with the fashion world. You know, for example, the verb which means to fashion in the cavemen fashioned tools from stones? If you do not know, learn all about this English word now. Follow me.

In English, fashion can be a noun or verb. As a noun, means fashion fashion, use, custom, good manners, carving, cutting (dress), form, shape, feature, pattern, style, style, manner, mode or habit.

Examples:

 a) The dictates of fashion.

b) He played the violin in his curious fashion.

c) She spoke Inglês in a very strange fashion.

As a verb, fashion means forming, shaping, carving, give shape, shaping, shaping, accommodate, adapt, adjust or settle.

Examples:

 a) Toy guns fashioned from bits of wood.

b) He is himself a hat fashioned from / out of newspaper.

c) The cavemen fashioned tools from stones.

The suffix "-fashion"

The suffix added to nouns-fashion way means, like, like, like how he climbs up walls in spider-fashion.

She walks crab-fashion

Useful Expressions with "fashion"

Fashion victim – vítima da moda

 Go out of fashion – sair de moda

 Parrot-fashion – (repetir) como papagaio.

 People of fashion – alta sociedade

As it is said "to have the eye bigger than the belly" in English?

In Portuguese, have the eye bigger than the belly means being greedy, wanting to eat without being hungry. An expression that is equivalent to English eyes are bigger than stomach / belly as in he has eyes bigger than his stomach.

I do not have eyes bigger than my belly

Right and wrong in English: the guardians of language

Who are the arbiters of right and wrong in a language? In France there is the Academie Francaise which, often, is the victim of pranks and more respectful disrespect by the French themselves. And we have agreements in Portuguese spelling elaborated by the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon and the Brazilian Academy of Letters, and approved by the national congresses of both countries. The average citizen is simply not consulted and, for him, the academies are entities where Olympic takes some tea with biscuits and discusses the importance of being immortal.

Since the English language does not have that kind of lodestar. There is a gym in England or the United States to govern the wanderings of his language. Perhaps this explains the mess that often reigns in English and justify the arrogance of those who are masters of language. As the saying goes: "In the land of the blind ..." Could be. So the question remains: "Who, after all, lawmakers 'proper English', how and why have achieved this power to dictate the little rules that you learn in school and that should be obeyed in private and professional life?"

There was a time when there was no place for such legislators. Even before the Norman Conquest in 1066, English was not reached rules and procedures as a result of many influences from outside. After 1066, the French became the official language of the country, and the English language continued to loose third class thing, the language of the mob, and remained so for centuries. The people made, remade and changed the language without anyone tell you that "this form is correct" and that "is wrong."

The "guardians" of the English language

Today, the self-appointed arbiters of right and wrong in the English language are, in fact, an informal network comprised of editors, columnists, critics, professionals, members of the editorial boards of dictionaries, consultants in the use of the English language, grammarians, authors writing books and style, English teachers and essayists. The number is quite large. Among them, some already dead, but still having great influence, we highlight the brothers H. W. and F.G. Fowler, Sir Ernest Gowers and Robert Burchfield, in England, and Theodore Bernstein, John Simon, William Safire and Edwin Newman, USA. His authority, they argue, stems from its dedication to maintaining standards that served very well the language in the past as evidenced in the works of its greatest writers, these are standards that ensure clarity, logic, consistency, accuracy, stability, integrity and scope of expression. Some of these "authorities" go further and say they are really protecting the ability to think clearly and logically.

Have members of the opposing camp, usually linguists dispute some of the excesses and exaggerations conservative language of "keepers", and say that generations of speakers of the language were simply intimidated to obey the rules imposed. And explain why. According to R. L. Trask, in Language: The Basics, many tend to look anglofalantes issues of language as something involving moral issues, like there was something sacred in the rules dictated in the books and enforced in schools. After unraveling some of the rules, Trask declares that the opinions of some "keepers" on what is good or bad judgments are based on highly subjective and riddled with prejudices, ignorance and confusion.

For many linguists, the "guardians" have remained in power because of the nervousness and anxiety of the middle class, driven by the desire to "get ahead." According to them, the intimidating message of "keepers" is more or less like this: "The deal is simple: either you speak properly or is excluded from the club, or belongs to the elite or the rabble."

The "guardians" also commit grammatical errors

In the book The Mother Tongue, 1990, p. 136, Bill Bryson, with obvious pleasure, gives examples where the "guardians" of tread on the ball more prominent grammatical committing serious errors of agreement, while Steven Pinker, in several parts of The Language Instinct, presents some egregious in that " clarity, logic, consistency, etc.. ", touted as the" guardians ", fall victims of intellectual disability and prejudice of their own.

For the "guardians", never mind that there are historical facts that empty balloon rules "protected". After all, many of them originated in small folk follies that were perpetuated for centuries, even being ignored by the most celebrated authors in the English language. Some of them will be addressed in future articles.

Tommy Panettone - uses and meanings of "Tommy" for whom English is living on bread and water

Tommy is an English word that will be on the lips of thousands of Brazilians on Christmas night. If you ask some of these Brazilian tommy meaning in English, you know the answer? If you do not know, learn it now. Follow me.

In English, tommy (Tommies plural) means food, food, bread or British soldier.

And what does "soft tommy"?

In English, it means tommy softy soft bread, soft bread.

Soft Tommy – Pão Macio

A man named "Tommy"

In Forenames men and their nicknames in English, we see that Tommy is also the nickname given to boys who call Thomas.

Oral Antiseptic Oral-B - uses of "oral" in English for those who will put his mouth in the world

Oral is a word of Latin origin found in dictionaries of Portuguese and English. And in English, oral meanings have you know. Doubt it? So answer me this: which means an oral Inglês? Do not know? So now learn all about oral to munch on mouth of the balloon in their English classes. Follow me.

In English, oral can be noun or adjective. As a noun, oral (orals plural) means test or exam spoken.

Examples:

 a) He was preparing for his orals.

 (Ele estava se preparando para seus exames orais.)

b) When do you have your English oral?

 (Quando você vai ter seu exame oral de inglês?)

c) He failed the oral.

 (Ele falhou no teste.)

As an adjective, means oral oral, buccal, oral or viva voce.

Examples:

 a) Oral hygiene.

 (Higiene oral/bucal.)

b) An oral agreement.

 (Um acordo verbal.)

What is "Oral Stage" in Psychoanalysis?

  According to Freudian theories, the oral stage is the first stage of psychosexual development of the individual. At this stage, the baby's interest is concentrated in the mouth; fixing this stage results in dependence, selfishness and aggression. The second stage of psychosexual development of the individual is the anal stage. At this stage, the child's interest is concentrated on the anal region. And at this stage results in fixing meanness, stubbornness, compulsiveness, etc.. Then come the phallic stage and genital stage.

I wanna suck – Quero mamar

More expressions with "oral"

An oral vaccine – vacina oral

 Oral contraceptive – pílula anticoncepcional.

 Oral surgeon – cirurgião dentista.

Nivea Deodorant Pearl & Beauty - uses of "pearl" in English that can not be thrown to the pigs

You know how they say throw pearls before swine in English? Not? So, I'll make an easier question. You know how they say pearls of wisdom in the English language? Nor do you know? Well, in that case, I recommend that you learn all about pearl now if you want to enhance your English. Follow me.

In English, pearl can be a noun, adjective or verb. As a noun, means pearl pearl, bead, precious thing, estimated or special person, object shaped pearl (tear drop of dew etc.) Or pearl color.

Examples:

a) The necklace consists of three strings of pearls.

 (O colar é formado por três cordões de pérolas.)

b) Pearls of dew glistened on the grass.

 (Pérolas de orvalho brilhando na grama.)

c) She is a pearl among women.

 (Ela é uma pérola entre as mulheres.)

As an adjective, means pearl or pearled grain as in He gave me a pearl necklace (Ele me deu um colar perolado).

As a verb, means fish pearl beads, adorn with pearls, pearl (to appearance, color or shape of pearl) or form small grains, granular.

Cast/Throw pearls before swine

In English, cast / throw pearls before swine mean throwing pearls before swine, ie, doing favors to the undeserving or say things precious to those who do not understand how in Them She read Shakespeare but it was casting pearls before swine (Ela leu Shakespeare para eles, mas isso foi como jogar pérolas aos porcos).

Woman throwing pearls before swine

Mulher jogando pérolas aos porcos

A pearl of wisdom

In English, the pearl of wisdom means pearl of wisdom as in Thank you for Those pearls of wisdom (Obrigado por essas pérolas de sabedoria). Speaking of ironic way, is a pearl of wisdom spoken somewhat stupid either the content or the way it is said. Examples of pearls of wisdom, I suggest you read 15 pearls of wisdom for students in English.

Grape Juice Minute Maid - the two pronunciations and the many meanings of "minute" in English

Many students know that minute means minute in English, but just know that. They do not know that minute has two pronunciations: / minit / and / maiNIUt /. And, as its pronunciation, the meaning of minute changes. Want to see? Follow me.

First pronunciation of "minute"

In English, minute / minit / - can be noun or verb. As a noun, minute means minute (60 seconds) message or angle (one of sixty shares in which a degree of an angle is divided). As a verb, means to take note or minute minutar.

Examples:

a) She was here a minute ago.

 (Ela esteve aqui um minuto atrás.)

b) 78º 52′ means 78 degrees 52 minutes.

 (78º 52′ significa 78 graus e 52 minutos.)

c) This discussion was not minuted.

 (A discussão não foi minutada.)

The minutes

The minutes the noun in the plural, means draft, short note or minutes as in The minutes of the last meeting were approved unanimously (The minutes of the last meeting were approved unanimously).

Second pronunciation of "minute"

In English, the adjective minute / maiNIUt / means extremely small, tiny, tiny, little or thorough.

Examples:

 a) Read everything in minute detail.

 (Leia tudo nos mínimos detalhes.)

b) You only need a minute amount.

 (Você precisa só de uma pequena quantia.)

c) Her handwriting is minute.

 (A letra dela é muito pequena.)

The pronunciation of "Minute Maid"

What is the pronunciation of minute at Minute Maid? The answer lies in this fun commercial Minute Maid, which account banned from dating a juice box and a laranjinha.

Deodorant Rexona Teens Beauty - uses of "beauty" that transform your English in beauty

The ugly will pardon me, but beauty is fundamental (excuse me that's ugly, but beauty is fundamental). Agreeing or not with the thought of Vinicius de Moraes, suggest you learn all about your beauty to leave an English belezura. Follow me.

In English beauty (beauties plural) means beauty, beauty, beauty, charm, grace, completeness or perfection.

Examples:

 a) An area of outstanding natural beauty.

 (Uma área de grande beleza natural.)

b) Millions of dollars are spent each year on beauty products.

 (Milhões de dólares são gastos anualmente com produtos de beleza.)

The advantages of being "beauty"

Not always the word beauty is related to beauty. The expression the beauty of something, for example, means that something has good qualities and advantages as in The beauty of email is its speed and ease of use (The advantage of email is its speed and ease of use).

More interesting expressions with "beauty"

Beauty and the Beast – A Bela e a Fera

Sleeping Beauty - A Bela Adormecida

Beauty contest – concurso de beleza

 Beauty is but skin deep – a beleza é apenas superficial

 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – A beleza está nos olhos de quem vê.

Beauty parlor/salon/saloon – salão de beleza

 Beauty sleep – sono da beleza (dormir o suficiente para manter a saúde e a boa aparência).

My beauties – minhas queridas

 That’s the beauty of it – isto é o melhor de tudo

 Lollipops Big Big Arcor - uses and meanings of "big" to tell you advantages in English

Which means big in English? Bet you responded great. Your answer is right, of course, but I must warn you that, in some cases, has big translations that have nothing to do with greatness. Did you know, for example, that could mean big pregnant at an advanced stage? Doubt it? So learn now all about big. Follow me.

In English, big can be an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, means great big, bulky, arrogant, proud, adult, grown, important, full, tall, fat, full, abundant and generous.

Examples:

a) He kept all his secret papers in a big box.

 (Ele guardou todos seus papéis secretos numa caixa grande.)

b) I saw a big man next to the doorway.

 (Vi um homem gordão próximo da porta.)

c) He gave me fifty dollars. I thought ‘That’s big of you’.

 (Ele me deu cinquenta dólares. Pensei “é generosidade sua”.)

As an adverb, means big arrogantly or proudly. To talk means big exaggerate, brag on how he Talked big all evening (he told advantage all night).

Meanings of "Big Brother" in English

For children anglofalantes, big brother means older brother. The older sister is called big sister. For adults anglofalantes, Big Brother means not only the television program similar to the one presented by Globo TV, but also the fictional book "1984" by George Orwell. In this work, the society lives under complete surveillance state authorities through cameras. Currently, Big Brother is used to describe any overly curious or controlling authority, or government attempts to increase surveillance.

A "big" pregnant

In the southern United States, the adjective also means big pregnant at an advanced stage; barriguda of tripe. In this case, use the phrases big with child or great with child.

She is big with child

Ela está barriguda

Right and wrong in English: descriptive and normative rules

For a linguist, human language is like a dolphin dive or corner of the thrush. Animals are experts in their way of being, the owners of the ball as they say. Who dares to say if the water ballet of pink dolphins are being well executed, when the choreography is a creation of their own porpoises? Who can complain that the thrush is out of tune, when the author of the melody itself is thrush? Therefore, the only way to know if an expression is grammatically correct, is asking people who use it. If there is consensus, it becomes the rule. The rest is daydreaming, linguists say. But if everything is so simple, why all the controversy? Why, according to some commentators, the English language is becoming a "garbage"?

Descriptive and Normative Rules

The confusion begins with what is a "rule" and that is to speak of "grammatical form". The definitions of these terms, and their application are different for a linguist and a grammarian. The rules we learn or do not learn in school are called normative because they prescribe the rules of how we talk. Already linguists pore over another type of rule, rule description, one that simply describes the way people really speak. But the debate goes beyond discussions of normative rules, describing the correct, incorrect, and so on. Above them all looms the theory that human language is instinctive and that the syntax of the code is already printed in our DNA, as they say linguists Noam Chomsky and Steven Pinker.

Normative vs. Descriptive Grammar Grammar

The most interesting is that the opponents in the dispute recognize the need for "rules". Without them, the language would be highly prejudiced as a means of communication. Only a few are enforced and others are natural, and often the two types conflict. A child knows how to use a verb, an adjective, a pronoun, a noun, and you know put them in a logical and natural in your language. If you ask what is a verb she may think it's a toy. Certainly, it was not Mom or Dad who taught him what a verb, a pronoun, etc.., Because Mom and Dad probably do not remember or never knew what these figures. Rather, it is a miracle that children learn to speak correctly regardless of the language they hear tatibitate parents, aunties and titios, who despise their victims with imitations of language ranging from bilu bilu-down.

And the debate continues. Both in Portuguese and in English or any other language that adiantariam normative rules if there were no ground rules that enable the creation instinctive natural sentences with verbs, pronouns, adjectives, etc.., In its place? How to explain, for example, the ease with which a child of two or three years says, "the boy eats a banana" instead of "banana eating the boy." Everyone assumes that the child already knows the basic rules and why they are never mentioned in books or schools. At best, says Pinker, normative rules are mere decorations of little consequence. And give an example: the simple fact that they have to be learned, sometimes the hard way, now shows that foreign elements are the gear natural human language. Therefore, there is no contradiction in saying that a normal person knows at the same time, grammatically speaking (following the rules imposed), and not grammatically (following the rules instinctive). It's like saying a driver and your car obey, without any special effort, the natural laws of physics, but willingly or negligently violate the laws imposed by the traffic code.

The student of English, without having to code the syntax of the language printed on your DNA, is caught in the crossfire, and rightfully asks: "Where, how and why they arise normative rules? And where does the authority of those who consider themselves the right to say what is right and what is wrong? "

How do you say "paint the town red" in English?

In Portuguese, the words paint the seven means, among other things, have fun, too, fall into the binge. An English expression equivalent to paint the seven is to paint the town red as in let's go paint the town red, man (let's paint the town red tonight, dude).

They’re painting the town red

Eles estão pintando o sete

Wet Wipes Equate - uses "equate" to match your English at Queen's

You want to have an Englishman as good as the Queen of England? Want it? So start learning what it means to equate English language. Follow me.

In English, it means equate equate, to equate or compare. Equate with / to equate the means.

Examples:

 a) I don’t see how you can equate the two things.

 (Não sei como você pode comparar as duas coisas.)

b) Don’t make the mistake of equating high test scores and intelligence.

 (Não cometa o engano de equiparar alta pontuação com inteligência.)

c) A $5000 raise equates to 25%.

 (Um aumento de $5000 equivale a 25%)

Queen Elizabeth I equated marriage with death

Rainha Elizabeth I equivaleu casamento a morte

Cognates of "equate"

Equate to come nouns equatability (evenness) and equation (equation) as in the equation for 3x-3 = 15, x = 6 (equation 3-3x = 15, x = 6).

Synonyms for "equate"

Some synonyms of the verb are equate equalize (EQ​​), compare, even (equal) and liken (compare).

Italian Pine Deodorant - uses and meanings of "pine" to avoid regrets in tests of English

Many Brazilians have learned what it means in English pine due to pine drawings displayed on the packaging of deodorant Italian Pine. However, few Brazilians who know what the word means to pine in English. You know? If you do not know, learn all about that word now to avoid wailing, sobbing or crying in their future evidence of English. Follow me.

In English, pine can be a verb, noun or adjective. As a verb, means consuming pine, weaken, waste away, go losing strength, regret, regret or pity. Pine away means consuming up in disgust, and pine for means yearn, yearn.

Examples:

a) Separated by their families, the lovers pined away.

 (Separados pelas famílias, os amantes consumiam-se de desgosto.)

b) He pines for his home and family.

 (Ele anseia por sua casa e família.)

As a noun, means pine cone, pine, fir or pine wood as in That table is made ​​of pine.

As an adjective, means full of pine pine, covered with pine or pine / pine as in I need to buy pine furniture.

Pine Forest – Pinhal

"Pine" for friends

The pineapple is called pineapple in English. Informally, this fruit is also called pine.

Useful Expressions with "pine"

Brazilian pine – pinho-do-pará

 Pine oil – óleo de pinho