Help with English

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by Saint, Aug 24, 2011.

  1. river

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    Because salt preserves .
     
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  3. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/take-with-a-grain-of-salt.html

    "The idea comes from the fact that food is more easily swallowed if taken with a small amount of salt. Pliny the Elder translated an ancient antidote for poison with the words 'be taken fasting, plus a grain of salt'.
    The suggestion is that injurious effects can be moderated by the taking of a grain of salt."
     
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  5. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    Why it means to be doubtful about something you heard?
     
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  7. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    That's a good point.

    It doesn't track.

    The origin I referenced suggests that phrase means "You should 'take some salt' so that this hard-to-swallow idea is easier to swallow",
    yet our modern use of the phrase is more "You should 'take some salt' so as to not take this hard-to-swallow idea too seriously."

    They're almost opposites.
     
  8. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    I went to gamble and lost/loosed my money.

    which is correct? lost or loosed?
     
  9. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Lost.

    You can let loose the Kraken, but you can only lose your money.
     
  10. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    When I installed soft ware, I saw it says : Preparing for install
    Isn't it "preparing to install" more correct?
     
  11. Baldeee Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, "preparing to install" would be more correct as "to install" is a verb.
    However, "install" as used by them is clearly being used as a noun, a shortened alternative to "installation", presumably.
    I can't say I like it.
    Feels lazy.
    I think "install" as a noun is most common in the IT field.
     
  12. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    You're right.

    The noun of install is installation.

    So, it would be "preparing for installation".
     
  13. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    4,752
    nothing more than a red herring means what?
    why "red herring"?
     
  14. Baldeee Valued Senior Member

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    A red herring in this context refers to something that has detracted, deliberately or otherwise, from the main issue, and is ultimately irrelevant.
    Such an argument might be called out as being a red herring, indicating that they think it is irrelevant.

    The origin of the phrase is from an account in the early 1800s of someone using a kipper to put some dogs off the scent of the rabbit they were chasing.
    "Red herring" is another name for the kipper, which is a smoked version of the herring that has turned red during the smoking process, and it has a fairly strong aroma.
     
  15. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    Can I say some equipment?
     
  16. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    yes, "some equipment" is normal

    If you intend to climb that mountain, you will need some equipment,
     
  17. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    Can I say "many equipment" ?
     
  18. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    No. You would say many pieces of equipment.
     
  19. geordief Valued Senior Member

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    Or "much equipment".
     
  20. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    4,752
    What is copacetic?
    It means very excellent?
     
  21. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    On the website of Sales of Private Jet,
    certain jets are shown "make offer" in the price tag,
    what does it mean?
     
  22. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    ride on coattails = why coattails?
     
  23. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Literally "Make me an offer of how much you'd like to spend and I'll consider it."

    Something like a jet would have very few buyers, and therefore putting a fixed price on it would chase away almost all buyers.
    The seller will likely take much less than the thing is worth.
     

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