DIALECT AND WORD MEANINGS

[Tizer]

I've noted shuttering used today in connection with McDonalds closing in Russia

Perhaps Britain should invade somewhere so that McDonalds will close its stores here!

[Stanley]

We would survive without them. Mind you I think there are people who eat nothing but fast food.
Perhaps they would re-discover cooking.

[plaques]

Mind you I think there are people who eat nothing but fast food.

A different view...
“A cyclist is a disaster for a country's economy. He does not buy a
car and does not take a car loan. Does not buy car insurance. Does not
buy fuel. Does not send his car for servicing and repairs. Does not
use paid parking. Does not become obese.
Healthy people are not needed for an economy. They do not buy drugs.
They do not go to hospitals and doctors. They add nothing to a
country's GDP.
On the contrary, every new McDonalds outlet creates at least 30 jobs:
10 cardiologists, 10 dentists, 10 weight-loss experts apart from
people working in McDonald's outlets.
Choose wisely: A cycle or a McDonalds? Worth thinking."
Walking is even worse. Those people do not even buy a bicycle.

[PanBiker]

[Big Kev]

I reckon I could liven up a few by posting that on Facebook

[Cathy]

Tripps, have you got this one?
Circumlocution.
Could be used for some politicians and so-called experts.
Circumlocution means using too many words, with the intent of being vague, evasive, or misleading.

[Stanley]

I recognise it Cathy but never use it because in a way, using it is an illustration of what the word means!

[Stanley]

I've just heard a lady who has conducted a report on the restriction of freedom of people in institutions.
She said that repeated restriction led to them 'deteriorising'. Not sure where she got that from.....

[Tizer]

I've just learnt that `chthonic' means underground (from Greek). I think I'll stick with underground!

[Stanley]

I can pronounce underground....

[plaques]

Brexit Derangement Syndrome.
Not quite sure what it really means. Derangement = confusion. In my mind there is no confusion about Brexit except a number of the right-wing media and politicians try to confuse people into thinking that paying more for goods and receiving lower wages is somehow an advantage. As far as I can see the 'Derangement Syndrome' is an American import usually tied to Trump or Bush although I dare say we could add Boris Johnson to this list.

[Stanley]

I agree Ken. Like you, I am perfectly clear about Brexit. Any 'derangement' or simple confusion is to be found amongst the Little Englanders who haven't realised the days of empire are long gone.

[Cathy]

Just come across a government program that has been “incentivized”.
What a word, could it be any longer?
Looked it up and an example is “this is likely to incentivise the management to find savings”.

Couldn’t they just use the words motivate or encourage?

[Stanley]

Quite Cathy! They think it makes them stand out from the crowd.....

[Tizer]

Another word for Tripps' list - astroturfing. From an article about Facebook posts supporting Putin: Lead researcher Moustafa Ayad calls the practice an example of "astroturfing" - an online operation involving multiple accounts that falsely gives something the impression of wider grassroots support. BBC I predict we'll see the word more often in the coming years.

[Stanley]

Why do horses 'prance'?

[Wendyf]

Horses prance when they are showing off, looking magnificent.

[Cathy]

Apparently spring is the same as prance, and horses use high springy steps.

[Stanley]

[Tripps]

In chess the Germans call what we call the Knight - Der Springer. Literally - The Jumper.

Nigel Short sometimes calls it "Harry the Horse"

Here are the rest - quite interesting I'd say.

Apart from the king, the other pieces are -
der König – king
die Dame – queen (lit. the dame)
der Turm – rook (lit. tower)
der Läufer – bishop (lit. runner)
der Springer – knight (lit. jumper)
der Bauer – pawn (lit. farmer)

[Stanley]

That somehow reminds me of Tarot Cards.......

[Tripps]

Not a fan of this TV programme, but this is funny I'd say.
Words or good clean jokes - you decide.

embiggens.jpg

[Stanley]

Speaking as a man who used to call weighing scales 'nebbins' I couldn't possibly give an opinion.....

[Tripps]

Seems it has actually now become a 'word'. Cromulent

That's quite made my day. . . .

[Stanley]

I doubt if anyone will be using nebbins.....