One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
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@afewbugs New grammar module:
British english insultative vocative: “You (insert random creatively applicable noun).
Emphatic insultative vocative: “you absolute …”
This one is of course related and regularly combined with the common exclamatory vocative: "Oy!", e.g., "oy, you absolute disco light!" -
@afewbugs also nearly every alliterative “verbing the noun” construction sounds like an euphemism for masturbation.
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@jetlagjen @quixoticgeek @afewbugs The funny thing is that it only works with a solid British accent. I used to get mistaken for Canadian when talking English for a long time, but then I moved to the UK, and all that shifted to modern RP with hints of Essex and London. And suddenly this magical world of creative vocabulary and wordplay opened up to me.
@cassana @quixoticgeek @afewbugs that's delightful! I hope you're having fun with it.
Although it only works in British accents, it does work in *all* of them.
"Ahm bluddy loo rawlled, eh?" (Cumbria)
"Ye buzz seat!" (West Midlands)
"We'll gan get bridged" (Geordie)
"He is such a bookcase!" (RP) -
@afewbugs See Australian usage of "mate" ...
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@afewbugs also nearly every alliterative “verbing the noun” construction sounds like an euphemism for masturbation.
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs
Haha, not only the English language. My mom freaked when I called my brother "een aangebrand stuk protoplasma" = a piece of burnt protoplasm in my teens.
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@CarstenBoll @afewbugs @DamonHD @Flisty
Exactly this!
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs My kid sister *hated* it when I called her words she didn’t understand. I used to ask how the weather was in German, with a sneer in my voice, or call her an australopithecus. Drove her mental. Good times.
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@afewbugs
Haha, not only the English language. My mom freaked when I called my brother "een aangebrand stuk protoplasma" = a piece of burnt protoplasm in my teens.️Heh, well since another Dutch speaking person chimed in as well, I'll add 2 of my own...
I've been to call people:
"ongelofelijke natte sok" (incredible wet sock) for when I want to say a vulgar thing but can't or won't
"slappe pannekoek" (weak/soft pancake" for when someone is being a spineless wet sock
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs I present the ultimate master of insulting tone. Malcom Tucker AKA know as Peter Capaldi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjKHPv7b3fQ&t=109s
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Heh, well since another Dutch speaking person chimed in as well, I'll add 2 of my own...
I've been to call people:
"ongelofelijke natte sok" (incredible wet sock) for when I want to say a vulgar thing but can't or won't
"slappe pannekoek" (weak/soft pancake" for when someone is being a spineless wet sock
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That it indeed is. And we are all better for it
There is of course "spetterpoep hoofd" as well, but how do you translate that? Should we translate that?
Also, bonus points for finding and posting that photo (and including alt-text!)
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs I really like "wet wipe" -- covers so many facets!!!
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@quixoticgeek @cassana @afewbugs or mix and match!
"You're totally tabled, you utter biro!"@jetlagjen lolled
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@jetlagjen @quixoticgeek @afewbugs The funny thing is that it only works with a solid British accent. I used to get mistaken for Canadian when talking English for a long time, but then I moved to the UK, and all that shifted to modern RP with hints of Essex and London. And suddenly this magical world of creative vocabulary and wordplay opened up to me.
@cassana I don't think 'only," but I do think maybe "better"...
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs this is a great thread!
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@cassana I don't think 'only," but I do think maybe "better"...
@acm_redfox Technically, sure. I’m assuming you have specific examples in mind?
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RE: https://mstdn.social/@sodslawyer/116056688380387248
One of the greatest strengths of the English language is any noun can be an insult if delivered in the right tone.
@afewbugs Reminds me: in French you can be very disgusting by speaking extra nice in a very high language level ... I often use that in contact with aggressive or bad administration officers.
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@afewbugs
Haha, not only the English language. My mom freaked when I called my brother "een aangebrand stuk protoplasma" = a piece of burnt protoplasm in my teens.️
