Another excellent update, comprehensive and timely and fascinating. As one of the (sadly) few other people tracking and recording neologisms, I'm immensely grateful to Heddwen.
I'm not sure that "sure look" should be translated as "it is what it is" – it's more like "all the objections/points raised can be put to one side", as in "Sure look we might as well," or "Sure look it doesn't matter".
Yeah, the "sure" (or shur) is marker of equivocation. "Will you have one more drink?" - "Shur I will!" doesn't indicate enthusiastic consent, it says that you were not sure, but just about came down on the side of having one. If an Irish person was looking at a house fire, they might say "Sure look, at least they all got out safely".
I had read The Guardian article on apostrophes as possession. They've really come to light given that the names Harris and Walz both require some thinking. Thank you for this wonderful summary of so many words and phrases expanding our living language called English.
I have always been under the impression (I don’t remember where I learned this) that “James’s” is the British way of apostrophizing and “James’” is the American way. (I’m American.) So I’ll use one or the other depending on my mood and the context, and experience a slight inward giggle when I use the British way just for fun.
For child nightmare, have the child draw the nightmare (good, bad drawing - no matter) and then have them burn it. Worked for me, 80-odd years ago. Show great confidence that it will work; it worked for you & everyone you know.
Another excellent update, comprehensive and timely and fascinating. As one of the (sadly) few other people tracking and recording neologisms, I'm immensely grateful to Heddwen.
I'm not sure that "sure look" should be translated as "it is what it is" – it's more like "all the objections/points raised can be put to one side", as in "Sure look we might as well," or "Sure look it doesn't matter".
Yeah, the "sure" (or shur) is marker of equivocation. "Will you have one more drink?" - "Shur I will!" doesn't indicate enthusiastic consent, it says that you were not sure, but just about came down on the side of having one. If an Irish person was looking at a house fire, they might say "Sure look, at least they all got out safely".
I had read The Guardian article on apostrophes as possession. They've really come to light given that the names Harris and Walz both require some thinking. Thank you for this wonderful summary of so many words and phrases expanding our living language called English.
Impressive and entertaining, as always. Off to do some much-needed fridgescaping. . .
Fun blog. And informative. Thanks
I have always been under the impression (I don’t remember where I learned this) that “James’s” is the British way of apostrophizing and “James’” is the American way. (I’m American.) So I’ll use one or the other depending on my mood and the context, and experience a slight inward giggle when I use the British way just for fun.
Such a delight to read!
Have you seen CNN anchor Jake Tapper's attempts to define Gen Z slang?
https://x.com/jaketapper/status/1816144505936175513
https://x.com/jaketapper/status/1816546997639479786/video/1
For child nightmare, have the child draw the nightmare (good, bad drawing - no matter) and then have them burn it. Worked for me, 80-odd years ago. Show great confidence that it will work; it worked for you & everyone you know.