Words & Phrases: March & April 2011

[mcgillianaire]

Since I first started using my new computer last month I've been bookmarking a list of memorable words and phrases. It includes words and phrases which I already knew and those that I've heard for the first time. I'm hoping that this way I'll increase my chances of using them in the future, either in speech or writing. I haven't quite decided how often I'll share my favourite ones on here but it'll probably become a monthly feature.

01. Bread and circuses
02. Motherhood and apple pie
03. Meither
04. Thrutch
05. More's the pity
06. Trite
07. Insouciance
08. Sangfroid
09. Phlegmatic
10. Lachrymose
11. Frisson
12. Samovar
13. Obstinacy
14. Osculation
15. Emollient
16. Just deserts
17. Peroration
18. Cavilling
19. Prurience
20. Norks
21. There's lovely isn't it
22. I want doesn't get
23. Nickel and dime
24. Brassic
25. Monged
26. Too easy

-My favourite of the lot is the Welsh phrase in number 21 ("There's lovely isn't it").
-I was surprised to discover that "just deserts" (16) wasn't spelled the way you normally pronounce the latter word.
-"Meither" (3) and "thrutch" (4) are regional words used (to the best of my knowledge) only in certain parts of Lancashire, while "Too easy" (26) is an Aussie expression.
-I can't properly remember but I'm pretty sure I picked up "Bread and circuses" (1) and "Motherhood and apple pie" (2) from posts made by miss_s_b (or lizw).

[Poll #1735725]

Comments

[brinker.livejournal.com]

I said 11-15, because I think I know 11. But I'm not 100% sure that the meaning/association that comes to mind is specifically the correct one.

[mcgillianaire.livejournal.com]

Yeah, same here!

[lizw.livejournal.com]

I didn't know "thrutch" or "norks", but I do now!

[loganberrybunny.livejournal.com]

Must admit I'm not sure my life has been that much improved now that I've looked up "thrutch"...!

[mcgillianaire.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, although the context in which the lovely lady from Lancashire used it was not the same as the first definition that pops up from Urban Dictionary!

[messicat.livejournal.com]

Well now I need to go look up all the ones I don't know!

My answer was 6-10.

Too easy. I love that phrase. I say it all the time. It's the most Aussie thing I say! Even with a particular inflection and everything!

[mcgillianaire.livejournal.com]

I didn't know too many of them either so we're in good company. :)

I need to find a way to add too easy into my daily speech. I worked no worries into it really easily via MSN but now that I don't chat online at all, it might be a bit more tricky. I'm still trying to find an opportunity to use budgie smugglers. What a classic that is. Heard it on a Foster's ad that did the rounds recently.