Words you think should exist in English

[TheAnachronism]

I think the contraction won't should be replaced with willn't.

Seconded.

Also, shan't should be shalln't. I do care if it's hard to pronounce.

 

[brodski]

I think the contraction won't should be replaced with willn't.

Nevermind that it's two extra keystrokes...

What's wrong with willnae?

 

[Miss_Kitt]

Words we need in English:

**The feeling of mild pleasure/physical well-being that follows having an emission of liquid or solid waste after a long time without such relief. It's not just relief, and not as intense as "afterglow", but it's definitely a near-universal experience. I suppose the term "afterflow" could be used for urination, but what's the equivalent for #2?

**The happy, helpless feeling of adoration you get after your child does something unexpectedly sweet or cute. (For just a second, you're putty in their hands, and you can't let them see it or they'll use it, the little imps!)

**The equivalent of "l'esprit d'escalier", the sudden moment of inspiration in which you realize what you should have said or done earlier; as, what you should have said when you ran into your ex while running an errand in a torn t-shirt and sweatpants, instead of, "Er, hi."

**That creeping sense of thick-headedness that presages a bout of illness; it's the mental equivalent of fatigue, but it happens without you having done anything to earn it. It's unmistakeable, but we have no term for it.

I'm interested in the responses!! Miss Kitt

 

[six7s]

Words we need in English:

**The feeling of mild pleasure/physical well-being that follows having an emission of liquid or solid waste after a long time without such relief. It's not just relief, and not as intense as "afterglow", but it's definitely a near-universal experience. I suppose the term "afterflow" could be used for urination, but what's the equivalent for #2?

Enlightenment

 

[six7s]

**The happy, helpless feeling of adoration you get after your child does something unexpectedly sweet or cute. (For just a second, you're putty in their hands, and you can't let them see it or they'll use it, the little imps!)

Realoinment

 

[six7s]

**The equivalent of "l'esprit d'escalier", the sudden moment of inspiration in which you realize what you should have said or done earlier; as, what you should have said when you ran into your ex while running an errand in a torn t-shirt and sweatpants, instead of, "Er, hi."

(20:20) Hindwit

 

[six7s]

**That creeping sense of thick-headedness that presages a bout of illness; it's the mental equivalent of fatigue, but it happens without you having done anything to earn it. It's unmistakeable, but we have no term for it.

The ante-inflammatories

 

[brodski]

Hindwit

Is that similar to a smart-arse?

 

[six7s]

Depends on how enlightened (qv) you are, I guess

 

[Galaxie]

What's wrong with willnae?

Nothing. It seems cromulent enough to me.

"Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! Nae maister! We willnae be fooled again!"


(For the record, I've never read a Terry Pratchett book. Terrible, I know.)

 

[kbm99]

What do you have to spill to make a Christain?

Communion wine?

 

[six7s]

Uxbridge English Dictionary.

Thanks for the link!

During one round of the game, Stephen Fry suggested that 'countryside' should mean 'to kill Piers Morgan'.

 

[dasmiller]

Seconded.

Also, shan't should be shalln't. I do care if it's hard to pronounce.

Ah, I am reminded of a quote from The Office (American version): "What part of "shorn't" don't you understand?"

 

[Ysidro]

As a very young child, my brother understood that a princess was a female prince. It was some time, though, before he understood why a fortress was not a female fort.

Reminds me of an old joke. What's the difference between a fort and a fortress?

The fortress has breastworks.

Cue groans.

 

[blobru]

Words we need in English:

**The feeling of mild pleasure/physical well-being that follows having an emission of liquid or solid waste after a long time without such relief. It's not just relief, and not as intense as "afterglow", but it's definitely a near-universal experience. I suppose the term "afterflow" could be used for urination, but what's the equivalent for #2?

evacstasy

**The happy, helpless feeling of adoration you get after your child does something unexpectedly sweet or cute. (For just a second, you're putty in their hands, and you can't let them see it or they'll use it, the little imps!)

mapagaga

**The equivalent of "l'esprit d'escalier", the sudden moment of inspiration in which you realize what you should have said or done earlier; as, what you should have said when you ran into your ex while running an errand in a torn t-shirt and sweatpants, instead of, "Er, hi."

brainerang

**That creeping sense of thick-headedness that presages a bout of illness; it's the mental equivalent of fatigue, but it happens without you having done anything to earn it. It's unmistakeable, but we have no term for it.

flumb or flupid

I'm interested in the responses!! Miss Kitt

intersponkitt

 

[wollery]

2. A verb which means "to possess skill at something", distinct from the verb "to know". In English, "I know how to drive a forklift" can mean "I've driven forklift many times and can do it without thinking", or it can mean "I know which knob does what". In Russian there are two completely different verbs for these concepts.

I can drive a forklift.

I am able to drive a forklift.

I am proficient at driving a forklift.

I am skilled at driving a forklift.

I am adept at driving a forklift.

I am qualified at driving a forklift.

I kick ass at driving a forklift.

Not only do we have a separate word for "skill" as opposed to abstract knowledge, we have words that can specify degrees of skill.

Oh and in case you're wondering about abstract knowledge;

I understand how to drive a forklift.

 

[Foolmewunz]

I can drive a forklift.

I am able to drive a forklift.

I am proficient at driving a forklift.

I am skilled at driving a forklift.

I am adept at driving a forklift.

I am qualified at driving a forklift.

I kick ass at driving a forklift.

Not only do we have a separate word for "skill" as opposed to abstract knowledge, we have words that can specify degrees of skill.

Oh and in case you're wondering about abstract knowledge;

I understand how to drive a forklift.

Funny you should reply to this. I was thinking of early Mandarin lessons, where it's very important to understand the difference between knowing and knowing how.

 

[wollery]

Funny you should reply to this. I was thinking of early Mandarin lessons, where it's very important to understand the difference between knowing and knowing how.

Hui, neng, and ke yi!!

Great fun.

 

[Lucian]

2. A verb which means "to possess skill at something", distinct from the verb "to know". In English, "I know how to drive a forklift" can mean "I've driven forklift many times and can do it without thinking", or it can mean "I know which knob does what". In Russian there are two completely different verbs for these concepts.

Old English had at least four words for "to know":
cnawan: to know, perceive, acknowledge, declare, ascertain [mod."know"]
cneowian II: to know carnally
cunnan: to be or become acquainted with, be thoroughly conversant with, know, know how to, have power to, be able to, can [mod. "can"]
witan: to be aware of or conscious of, know, understand, perceive, ascertain, learn [archaic; mod. Ger. "wissen"]
--from A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, 4th ed. by J.R. Clark Hall

 

[ImaginalDisc]

In the case of ja/jo, ja is a plain yes, while jo is a disagreeing/correcting yes.

Strange. I thought women everywhere could disagree while saying yes.

Seriously, though. WTF does that mean?