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Re: erbs....herbs???
What about Math???? for mathematics
"Do the Math"..... And we've a party leader with another ridiculous one....Menzies Campbell....pronounced Ming! WHY?? |
Re: erbs....herbs???
erbs or herbs is an example of a type of linguistic conservatism sometimes found in American English. Until the sixteenth century the word was usually spelled erb—the English got it from the French, who didn’t say the first letter either. Down to the nineteenth century, long after the h had been added under later French influence, that was also the way it was said. The seventeenth- and eighteenth-century American colonists took this state of affairs with them. During the nineteenth century, Britons began to say the first letter, as a result of what linguists call a spelling pronunciation.
So Americans kept the old pronunciation while British speakers changed it. A sneaky trick, but there it is. It's the same with the 'ou' spelling such as color/colour: we revised the spelling after people left for the 'new world'. (which in turn is why some Yanks switch cutlery back-and-forth, knife in the righthand and then pick up the fork with the right. There was a shortage of costly silver knives when the newbies arrived and they had to cut and pass on the knife). |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
(which in turn is why some Yanks switch cutlery back-and-forth, knife in the righthand and then pick up the fork with the right. There was a shortage of costly silver knives when the newbies arrived and they had to cut and pass on the knife).
So after 200 years they still only have 1 knife? or are they too stupid to evolve? :D |
Re: erbs....herbs???
I think that most of the populace is evolving. It's the leadership that is stuck in a time warp.
Originally Posted by Thydney
So after 200 years they still only have 1 knife? or are they too stupid to evolve? :D
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Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by TRPardoe
I think that most of the populace is evolving. It's the leadership that is stuck in a time warp.
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Re: erbs....herbs???
I did say most...........
Know any moonshiners up there ?
Originally Posted by Thydney
You've been here Terry would you like to reconsider? :D
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Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
erbs or herbs is an example of a type of linguistic conservatism sometimes found in American English. Until the sixteenth century the word was usually spelled erb—the English got it from the French, who didn’t say the first letter either. ).
ahem...guess we can blame it on the frogs.... as usual ;) |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by Thydney
So after 200 years they still only have 1 knife? or are they too stupid to evolve? :D
I'll let you be the judge...you've seen how some of them eat! But, US etiquette books always suggest that one holds the knife in righthard and then puts down the knife and picks up the forks, and the non-fork hand is placed on the lap, so perhaps it was someone's way adapting to the knife-sharing situation rather than revising/evolving later. In all seriousness, it's almost become a class issue: if you watch posh yanks, either in person or on telly, you will notice that many eat the continental way with the fork in the righthand and the tines facing down, and knife in the left. Not sure why that is. My husband and his family eat 'the British way' but I think that's because they are only second generation American (the grandparents are British). Ahh the joyous things that come up in conversations at work...we got on this topic when one of the yanks asked why we eat 'differnt' (um, properly!). |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
:)
one of the yanks asked why we eat 'differnt' (um, properly!). Breeding dear girl breeding :D |
Re: erbs....herbs???
I just found out something interesting today.
The term "varsity" is one used commonly in the US to refer to various things academic. Well, the word is an abbreviation of University, but with the usual septic dog's ear made of the spelling. :rolleyes: Its taken ages to figure that one out. :D |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by gardnma
I just found out something interesting today.
The term "varsity" is one used commonly in the US to refer to various things academic. Well, the word is an abbreviation of University, but with the usual septic dog's ear made of the spelling. :rolleyes: Its taken ages to figure that one out. :D You mean as in Varsity Boat Race? ;) |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
:)
.........if you watch posh yanks, either in person or on telly, you will notice that many eat the continental way with the fork in the righthand and the tines facing down, and knife in the left. .... |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
erbs or herbs is an example of a type of linguistic conservatism sometimes found in American English. Until the sixteenth century the word was usually spelled erb—the English got it from the French, who didn’t say the first letter either. Down to the nineteenth century, long after the h had been added under later French influence, that was also the way it was said. The seventeenth- and eighteenth-century American colonists took this state of affairs with them. During the nineteenth century, Britons began to say the first letter, as a result of what linguists call a spelling pronunciation.
So Americans kept the old pronunciation while British speakers changed it. A sneaky trick, but there it is. It's the same with the 'ou' spelling such as color/colour: we revised the spelling after people left for the 'new world'. (which in turn is why some Yanks switch cutlery back-and-forth, knife in the righthand and then pick up the fork with the right. There was a shortage of costly silver knives when the newbies arrived and they had to cut and pass on the knife). So the bottom line is us Yanks are correct, the Brits are wrong, and it's all the French's fault? I can live with that. |
Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by ironporer
So the bottom line is us Yanks are correct, the Brits are wrong, and it's all the French's fault? I can live with that.
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Re: erbs....herbs???
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
which in turn is why some Yanks switch cutlery back-and-forth, knife in the righthand and then pick up the fork with the right. There was a shortage of costly silver knives when the newbies arrived and they had to cut and pass on the knife).
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