Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2007

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH WANG CHUNG"
It's a quote from a spoof movie "Not Another Teen Movie".
Has any of you seen this movie?
Where is the punch line?

The following is part of an article in the latest issue of The
Economist. Can someone please explain the second sentence, which I just
don't understand. I  think it does not go along with the preceding
sentence and is grammatically incorrect?

"Why, hang me, those are the very words my gentleman used himself when
he gave himself airs, last Thursday was a fortnight, and talked about
the British army to his father who made him" (Vanity Fair)
I'd really appreciate it if anyone can advise how "last Thursday was a

For anyone with a burning interest in Scientology English grammar and
what Tom Cruise means when he says things like "Clinical depression is
a myth" (or whatever it was that he said to Brooke Shields):
The New Grammar by L. Ron Hubbard

Primitive and primate.  How are the two words used differently
when referring to our 'ancestors'?  Are they two different kinds
of animal at the time?  like a comparison of monkey and champs.

Is this "she's a homemade tart" a well-known pun?
------
[Jake intends to prove in court, if necessary, that
Sibyl had had many experiences with men]

Am I you still there here me? Comments? Where's Rinehole?
Hope this heaps!
piddie -- the pretender

studying some other languages, I notice that in many languages, the
"dictionary" form (ie, the form found in a dictionary) of the verb is
the infinitive.  Whereas, in English, the dictionary form is the
infinite minus the particle "to".  My question is, what is this called?

I need to write about a square that is 46 cm long on each side. This is
for a sewing pattern, so clarity is more important than beauty. I can't
decide which is best:
46 x 46 cm

That is the question. I offer a database project, but am unsure of how
to describe it. Also have a problem with "An NG2000 exclusive," or "A
NG2000 exclusive."
Thoughts?

Is it acceptable to say that you sent a catalogue "by separate post" or "by
separate mail" instead of "under separate cover"?
Thanks
Bernhard

Please explain the meaning of "sprawling conference". TIA

I once posted here as the piddie. Now that I've not
been the piddie for a couple of whiles while you
have probably been something similar to what you've
always been, I've been thinking, hay! if maybe I

If a place name is guzhu, how to denote its people or language, guzhuan
or guzhunese?

Is this "she's a homemade tart" a well-established pun?
-------
[Sibyl has been involved with many men. Now that she's pregnant and a
patternity suit seems to be in the offing, Jake wants to attack her