Hive: Musings about Crothian

[Knight Otu]

So in Hessen, everyone is a vampire?

Not really... though you could make a point about the Lich.

 

[Terath Ninir]

... Actually, I've never heard that the different Chinese dialects aren't separate languages. As far as I know, China has about 8 different languages and I know Chinese people that say the same thing.

But I've seen lots of linguists like the ones you talk about. They come up with all sorts of weird theories, held together very very loosely. The site I listed, though, I think has very good sources and I think they know what they're talking about.

YMMV.

Hmm. Further confusion... Well, the Chinese chick I knew was from Hong Kong, so maybe she just didn't really know about other areas.

One thing I do know for sure is that almost every story about a word's (or phrase's) origin that you find in trivia books is NOT true. The more dramatic the story, the less likely it is to be true. And if the story involves someone whose first name has been lost to history, it is 100% certain it is not true in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Knight Otu]

Berlitz said that the "donnerwetter" was an aged blasphemy, invoking Thor...

At the least, thunder and lightning. Donner meaning thunder, and Wetter meaning weather, there may well be some truth in the words of Berlitz.

 

[Celebring The Gray]

Crothian types too much.

 

[Jdvn1]

One thing I do know for sure is that almost every story about a word's (or phrase's) origin that you find in trivia books is NOT true. The more dramatic the story, the less likely it is to be true. And if the story involves someone whose first name has been lost to history, it is 100% certain it is not true in any way, shape, or form.

You said it. I usually check four or five sources before I consider an etymology.

 

[Terath Ninir]

You will all bow down before the red crayon!!!

I prefer sky blue, actually. Or black. Black is always nice.

 

[Terath Ninir]

At the least, thunder and lightning. Donner meaning thunder, and Wetter meaning weather, there may well be some truth in the words of Berlitz.

You'd have to be a pretty dim-witted English speaker not to recognize what those two words mean. That said, I imagine about 2/3rds of the people I went to high school with wouldn't...

 

[Crothian]

Crothian types too much.

and it's all done with a single hand......

 

[Knight Otu]

You'd have to be a pretty dim-witted English speaker not to recognize what those two words mean. That said, I imagine about 2/3rds of the people I went to high school with wouldn't...

There's always the chance to stumble across those infamous "false friends" that look like they mean the same, but don't.

wo::where
wer::who

"Waiter, when will I become my beefsteak?" - "I hope never, sir!"

 

[Jdvn1]

and it's all done with a single hand......

You mean one pseudopod?