New Words And Phrases

I've always loved the English language, regardless of its learning difficulties, agonizing inconsistencies and annoying uses.

Still, it opens up avenues of vocalization and expression like no other tongue.

This week I learned a few new words.

They're not words you can readily look up in a dictionary, mind you, but they detail actions or feelings into succinct definitions which make perfect sense.

Feel free to add them to your lexicon as you see fit.

Crouchy: A state of becoming a full-fledged grouch but not quite there yet; somewhere between the levels of crotchety and grouchy

Bakupauphamy: Another state of being in approaching a level where the sarcasm slowly turns annoying, indicative of when a response contains or suggests the following - "You know what? You better back up off of me or things could get ugly ..." - where a person has reached or is in purview of bakopauphamy

.......... Ruprecht ( never STOPs learning ) 174

Something I Don't Like

Dear People of Earth:

Hokay. Enough, already. Just stop. Stop it. 

Right now.

No more. Discontinue with the word "liking" and keep continuing that discontinuation.

Don't utter it again. Not unless you're writing a story or doing a film or television show (you know ... The Following? The Killing?) or a poem with the title "The Liking." That's one of the few acceptable uses I'm willing to get on board with.

When someone says "I'm liking this thing!" I visibly cringe. I'm certain I involuntarily screw up my face as well. And when I read something such as "I'm liking this new attitude of mine!" ... ??? I groan. Really.

"Liking" isn't a verb. It's not a form of the word which should be used to convey you are fond of something or someone or some situation. You "like" something, you don't "liking" it or him or her or that. I'm dead serious: You don't. I'm being completely honest with you on this point.

The word "liking" is a noun, not a verb. You are not "liking" ... you "like."

"I like that. I really like that color on you." 

If you say "I'm really liking that color on you," you sound as if you don't know how to speak English. It's akin to "axing" someone for a sip of their drink as opposed to properly "asking" someone:

"Can I axe you something?"

"Yes ... is it possible for you to axe me a seven foot tall wood carving of the Statue of Liberty so I may place it proudly and with flourish in my backyard? And ... will you tell me when might I expect that?" 

"Liking" is a state of being or a feeling. It's a taste for something - as in an agreeable proclivity - or a showing of pleasure. It's an inclination, a usage of stating you are inclined to favor or prefer something or someone. You have an affection or a fondness or you lean on the side of a particular partiality.

You don't "liking" something. You "like" it.

You don't "liking" the dog. You "like" the dog.

And ... you should liking like the fact you speak English as if you actually know how to speak it.

Got it? Get it? Good ... I'd like that ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP "inging" stuff, people ) 391

Talk, Talk 2

You have to wonder how, sometimes, words twist to the point they're interpreted in a completely different manner than originally intended.

While it can be the power and the passion with which they're delivered, just the same tossing them to the wind with a lackadaisicalness can promote unintentional and detrimental feedback. 

It happens all the time. Reviews and critiques from the media. An interpretation of some television or radio ad. The way something comes across in a print article.

Good intentions skewed awry.

I found myself on the giving (and receiving end) of such "a twist" much to my chagrin. And, while it caused consternation, discussion and a couple apologies, it rounded out with something I say continuously:

You don't learn from your successes,
you learn from your mistakes.

Interestingly enough, I had dreams last night of being unable to reproduce lyrics to various Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Loggins & Messina songs I was recording in a studio somewhere. (Hey ... I can dream, can't I?) So ... the lyrics below - courtesy of Stan Ridgway - work perfectly :

"Now when the world is over, clocks run outta wind

Somebody will scrape through the ruins and find

A little picture of you and in a file they found

Sayin' 'Just a little too smart for a big dumb town' ..."

- "Big Dumb Town"

"Trees are tall and grass is green

One's alone and two's a team

Play guitar and make a scene

Read about it in a magazine.

"Tired of playin' what to be?

Friend is now an enemy

Slam a door and break a glass

From there to here has gone too fast."

- "Gone The Distance"

"He took a drive down the coast highway

Blowin' where the air was fresh and clean

He had a plan that said 'I'll do it my way'

but he could not plan for what he couldn't see ..."

- "Down The Coast Highway"

.......... Ruprecht ( won't ever STOP putting his foot in his mouth* )

* And this is okay. Because, if that ever happened, it would be a really boring life.

Talk Talk

"Our conversations have not been such 

that I am anxious to continue them."  

- Peter Lorre, The Maltese Falcon

.......... Ruprecht ( should have STOPped when I knew better ... )