jannifer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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peopleofthedas2011-03-08 11:13 pm
jannifer) wrote in peopleofthedas2011-03-08 11:13 pm
Entry tags:
Dialogue and the Oddities of the English Language
One of the wonderful things about the English language is its richness. There are so many regional variations -- not just among British, American, Australian English, but within those countries. Some of these expressions are wonderful and could offer something special in dialogue within our fiction. Other things are just interesting little bits.
I've added some new comments with more goodies I remember my grandmother using. Yay!
UPDATED QUESTION: Could some kind speaker of UK English explain the meaning of the phrase "no better than she should be"? I have the basic idea, but some clarification would be helpful.
In the conversation following the release of Chapters 51 and 52 of VLSV, ScaryLady and Lenna mentioned a few of these phrases in regards to having a fight or throwing a fit (as we might say in the States).
From ScaryLady -- "Caerwyn throwing an almighty paddy at the uncaring archdemon made this chapter for me.
'Oi, AD, quarter to four, school gates. I'm 'aving yer out.'"
In a later post -- "having a strop? throwing a wobbler? losing his rag?"
From Lenna -- "Duking it out. Scrapping. Busting someone's ass. Giving a knuckle sandwich. Opening a can of whoopass. Er, uh... Kicking the shit out of someone?"
Now, because this post and its attendant comments have the potential to wander waaaaaaaaayyy off the DA topic of this community, I've written a post over on my journal which offers up a few of the turns of phrase I've heard here in my little corner of heaven. I'd like for you to stop by and add your various regional expressions, turns of phrase, metaphors and slang. I'm sure that some of these expressions will be useful in dialogue and some won't be. All of them will be great fun!
Please, join the discussion! You may comment here or at http://jannifer.dreamwidth.org/2172.html
I've added some new comments with more goodies I remember my grandmother using. Yay!
UPDATED QUESTION: Could some kind speaker of UK English explain the meaning of the phrase "no better than she should be"? I have the basic idea, but some clarification would be helpful.
In the conversation following the release of Chapters 51 and 52 of VLSV, ScaryLady and Lenna mentioned a few of these phrases in regards to having a fight or throwing a fit (as we might say in the States).
From ScaryLady -- "Caerwyn throwing an almighty paddy at the uncaring archdemon made this chapter for me.
'Oi, AD, quarter to four, school gates. I'm 'aving yer out.'"
In a later post -- "having a strop? throwing a wobbler? losing his rag?"
From Lenna -- "Duking it out. Scrapping. Busting someone's ass. Giving a knuckle sandwich. Opening a can of whoopass. Er, uh... Kicking the shit out of someone?"
Now, because this post and its attendant comments have the potential to wander waaaaaaaaayyy off the DA topic of this community, I've written a post over on my journal which offers up a few of the turns of phrase I've heard here in my little corner of heaven. I'd like for you to stop by and add your various regional expressions, turns of phrase, metaphors and slang. I'm sure that some of these expressions will be useful in dialogue and some won't be. All of them will be great fun!
Please, join the discussion! You may comment here or at http://jannifer.dreamwidth.org/2172.html
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