What is your favorite non-native language word?

[joekicker 53]

The Eskimo has 99 words for different types of ice.

 

There is no such language as Eskimo. No language used by Eskimos has 99 words for ice (or snow, the usual version of this hoary old urban legend). English has seven very common words for it, though. One Innuit language (or dialect, your choice) has 10, but not all 10 are as common as the seven most comon English words.

 

This is the kind of happy horsepuckey that always comes up with the appeals for grants to study and preserve all the disappearing languages, though.

 

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[puaa 1]

In Thai, the word for boring (no idea how to spell this) is 'bueh'. Sounds like the act of vomiting.

[atlas2 4,329]

The term idiot was formerly used to describe a person whose intelligence was too low to function without constant supervision. The term was not applied to toddlers or babies.

 

Higher up the intelligence scale were imbeciles, then morons. Imbeciles could be trusted for short periods without supervision, but could not lead independent lives. Morons could support themselves and live independently.

 

IQ scale:

 

idiot - 25 and below

imbecile - 25 to 50

moron - 50 to 80

Note that advocates have registered strong objections to the use of these terms and that IQ testers stopped using them in the late 20th century. Individuals with such intellectual disabilities are now diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe mental retardation.

quote; conserapedia.com

 

The word originated in Ancient Greece the word 'idiote' meant a unit of population,layman,common man. I think we all know what the word has now come to mean. But thank you anyway.

 

 

Actually, I take that back. I idiotically didn't bother to read completely through your post, which does add to the debate.

 

I think that failure puts me at moron.

Edited August 17, 2010 by atlas2

[atlas2 4,329]

There is no such language as Eskimo. No language used by Eskimos has 99 words for ice (or snow, the usual version of this hoary old urban legend). English has seven very common words for it, though. One Innuit language (or dialect, your choice) has 10, but not all 10 are as common as the seven most comon English words.

 

This is the kind of happy horsepuckey that always comes up with the appeals for grants to study and preserve all the disappearing languages, though.

 

.

 

To say that, The Yupic of Northern Alaska have 99 identifying words for sea-ice formations sounds so poser-like!

[Tarl 1]

To say that, The Yupic of Northern Alaska have 99 identifying words for sea-ice formations sounds so poser-like!

 

Yeah but you have to admire someone who can use happy horsepuckey in a sentence, I think that is a pearler

[atlas2 4,329]

Yeah but you have to admire someone who can use happy horsepuckey in a sentence, I think that is a pearler

 

 

Yes......... 'Poser-like' comes effortlessly to some people. I prefer plain old 'pococurante' to 'horse-puckey'

Edited August 17, 2010 by atlas2

[joekicker 53]

Yes......... 'Poser-like' comes effortlessly to some people. I prefer plain old 'pococurante' to 'horse-puckey'

 

atlas, ferkrighsake, "horsepuckey" is one word!

 

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[atlas2 4,329]

atlas, ferkrighsake, "horsepuckey" is one word!

 

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joe

 

If it was one word I would have written it as one word......... Look into it why don't you?.......... And if I'm wrong let me know and I'll correct it..................If by some small chance it's you that has made the mistake please let me and everyone else know know so that we can feel confident when using the expression in future.........

 

For those without the time to 'Google'........'Puckey' means shit.....So 'horse puckey' 'shit of the horse' makes a welcome change from the acrid whiff of your, (OK our) usual 'bullshit' (one word) joe!

Edited August 19, 2010 by atlas2