The English Thread

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 08 May 2011, 05:09

I have changed the forum to English Thread from just "What does this phrase mean?" thread. I find more confusing things about English and so I made this one.

As far as I know, this thread would include all ENGLISH related discussion. Grammar and Punctuation and Style are included.

I hope we help one another. I hope you help me. :]

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 08 May 2011, 13:20

Butterbescotch wrote:I'm not a native English speaker nor have been widely imposed in the language. So I hope, I can address my queries to thread. I made a thread so not only me can ask and not only me can benefit.

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Here from I Have A Dream Speech
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations

- Does it also mean I am mindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations?

Your interpretation is correct.

CJ Schneider · Post by **CJ Schneider** » 09 May 2011, 19:38

Two negatives equal positive. You are correct in your assertion.

Nullifygirls · Post by **Nullifygirls** » 10 May 2011, 03:42

I have positive opinion about your post.

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 10 May 2011, 06:31

Thanks for all the help

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Question.

What do you mean by Recollected Herself? How does one recollect his/herself?

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 10 May 2011, 09:13

Butterbescotch wrote:What do you mean by Recollected Herself? How does one recollect his/herself?

Probably means she remembered or brought back to her mind - as in 'she recollected herself how excited she was waiting for Santa to come'

or it could mean she pulled herself together - as in 'I was about to cross the road without looking but I recollected myself & waited for the green light'

Hope this helps.

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 10 May 2011, 18:29

It does Fran thanks for the reply.

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Question.

What do you mean by His heart miss a beat?

Teesie · Post by **Teesie** » 10 May 2011, 20:09

It's like when something you're not expecting happens...the feeling you get like you can't breathe for a minute, and like, as some say, your heart "skips a beat".......Like being in shock, I guess.....

I don't know if that helps any, buy that's the only way I can think to explain it....

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 10 May 2011, 21:36

Thanks Tessie :]

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Question.

They'll never get old and gray

What is "old and gray"?

Teesie · Post by **Teesie** » 11 May 2011, 00:29

It's refering to the time in a person's life when they get to a certain age and their hair starts to turn gray.... It's saying that "They" will never be "old" or "gray" haired.

It could be refering to someone who died young, saying that they will never live to an age that they would be "old and gray"

Or it could refer to someone that is young at heart who will never be old in an emotional sense.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 11 May 2011, 20:36

Hullo, Butterbescotch. I know it's more fun to ask friends but if you ever get stuck and need quick advice on common phrases or expressions I recommend Phrases.net for instant help.

http://www.phrases.net/

Break down a sentence into manageable words. Things like "heart miss a beat" may come under the Lyrics section. There's abbreviations, definitions, quotations, etc, which saved my butt a few times.

Avitoflv · Post by **Avitoflv** » 12 May 2011, 22:11

When u not understand what they mean
you will say that

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 16 May 2011, 20:16

Thanks Maud Fitch for the suggestion :]

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Question:

1. What do you mean by I couldn't agree more?

2. I peel her pajama top over her head. Pajama top means the upper garment right?

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 17 May 2011, 05:37

Butterbescotch wrote:Thanks Maud Fitch for the suggestion :]

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Question:

1. What do you mean by I couldn't agree more?

2. I peel her pajama top over her head. Pajama top means the upper garment right?

1. I agree with you completly 100% ... and you can't agree more that 100%

2. Pajamas consist of a top and pants usually worn at night to sleep in ... although there is a current trend for pajamas as daywear by some girls.

You are correct pajama top is the upper garment.
Pajamas are often referred to by children as their PJ's

Butterbescotch · Post by **Butterbescotch** » 18 May 2011, 03:15

@Fran

Thank you :]

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Question:

What do you mean by The fire was all but out.?

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Inside, the clerk is being taken down a peg by Anna Fitzgerald's mother.

and

Kate—who isn't a fan of snotty demands—decided the nurse needed to be taken down a peg.

I searched the meaning of peg: some sort of pin. But I don't get how the author used it in her sentences.

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Yet now that we're thirty-two, I'm a card-carrying member of the Rat Race; while Izzy is a lesbian who builds jewelry out of paper clips and bolts. Go figure.

What do the author mean by "Go figure"?