The exclamations tag has no wiki summary.
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2answers
49 views
Origin of “Homeward ho!”
In the English translation of an essay by Leon Trotsky that came out in Foreign Affairs, I read [emphasis added]:
Now it turns out that the world exchange is the source of all
misfortunes and ...
-1
votes
1answer
89 views
Oh fudge knuckle!
What does this expression mean? I heard it in a video where the person said something like
This sounds right, but in fact, son of a gun, or as my younger son
would say, fudge knuckle, it goes ...
0
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2answers
250 views
Understanding “Mother of God!” or “Holy Mother of God!”
I have come across this term numerous times and this expression is well used when something unbelievable or shocking happens but I don't understand how Mother of God can imply its meaning. Does refer ...
1
vote
2answers
144 views
What weather! What a pity! - phrases with and without article - why? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are there any simple rules for article usage (“a” vs “the” vs none)
‘… the weather’ vs. ‘… weather’
“Bad weather doesn't exist” vs. “The bad weather doesn't exist”
...
3
votes
1answer
320 views
What is the origin of the dated British expression “I say!”
It doesn't appear that this expression was a minced oath or something along those lines. Was it shortened from a longer phrase, or did it just enter the vernacular as is (similar to "listen up" or ...
7
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2answers
5k views
Origin of “I see, said the blind man, as he waved his wooden leg”
"I see", said the blind man, as he waved his wooden leg.
is an expression used by someone on whom comprehension has just dawned, or a catch-phrase addressed to that person. Sometimes it can be ...
0
votes
1answer
369 views
Can “alas” be used all by itself?
Often, you see something like
Alas, I couldn't afford it.
But isn't it possible to use it all by itself?
I couldn't afford it. Alas!
What about in combination with "however", as in
...
10
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1answer
2k views
Yes, no, adverbs, and interjections
There appears to be some disagreement over what function yes and no perform in the following sentences:
Yes, you are right.
No, you are mistaken.
According to ODO (yes, no), they are being used as ...
8
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4answers
350 views
English equivalent of the Italian “Mannaggia!”, “Che peccato!”
What is the English expression or exclamation to refer to something that has gone wrong or a missed opportunity, or something that we could have done better than we actually did?
I'm specifically ...
3
votes
1answer
420 views
What's the difference between “really” and “for real”? [closed]
For example:
I don't know who Tiger Woods is.
For real?
and
I don't know who Tiger Woods is.
Really?
I don't see any difference in this case, but are there some specific cases when these ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
“Is/are X + adjective”
I provide the sentence in context:
[A couple kisses. A friend of them sees the scene and says:]
Oh, are you cute!
This clearly means "you're so cute, sweet" and the like. So, is this ...
1
vote
1answer
181 views
Exclamation before or after the interrogation? Doesn't matter? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a standard ordering for the question mark and the exclamation mark used together?
Which is correct:
Was That Folk!?
Was That Folk?!
Or both? I ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Why is “bloody hell” offensive or shocking?
It seems to me that if one describes hell as 'bloody', that is simply describing one of the properties you'd expect of it. So, why is 'bloody hell' used as an offensive or shocking phrase?
19
votes
10answers
3k views
What's the verb for making that “pffft” sound?
I have a dialogue like this:
"All I wanted to do was to keep a low profile"
"Pffft. That worked well, we not only have the entire police force but also the entire mafia chasing us"
I don't ...
21
votes
8answers
2k views
Does “yar” (or “yarr” or “yargh”) in Pirate English imply an affirmative?
In honor of International Talk Like A Pirate Day, I’d like to ask a question about the pirate dialect of English. Most pirate sentences begin with a standard pirate-sounding hedge to lend ...
2
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3answers
3k views
What does “Merlin's beard!” mean?
I know that Merlin's beard! is an exclamation from Harry Potter which is similar to "Oh Lord!". and it is a common wizarding expression used to show surprise. Can we use it this expression in the ...
2
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10answers
1k views
What are some old-world alternatives or precursors to 'WTF' (expressions of frustration or surprise)? [closed]
Such as 'what on Earth' or 'what in the world', etc. I'm trying to come up with a list of witty alternatives.
Note: I'm not looking for alternatives to the letters W, T, and F. I'm looking for ...
5
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4answers
2k views
What is the origin of “shh”?
The word "sh" (or "shh") is an exclamation for silence:
Shh! They're listening...
Etymonline only mentions a date (1847) and the common practice of "putting a finger to the lips." Does anyone ...
0
votes
2answers
3k views
Common interjections / exclamations in English [closed]
What are the interjections / exclamations commonly used in English (e.g. aha, wow, eh, etc.)? I'd appreciate if you can provide me with a full list with the meaning of each term.
