Discussion Groups / British English / December 2003

I come across two terms recently.
First, parlor trick:
It's very difficult to know the exact meaning of it since there is too many
information online.

What is the etymology of "to bless"
And by the way where on the net can I find current etymologies
Thanks

Are these sentences very old fashioned?
"They live very near now"
" You are near right"
"It lasted near a century"

   Anyone know how long was the time period over which the English language
was invented?
Thanx!!   CYA

Is the meaning of the word "cunning" different in England or the U.S.?

Is"plant the information" something like "plant evidence"?
Somethng who concerns investigation?
Let me know , please
Thanks a lot

How are you doing?
Could you help me? When should we use the word combinations 'operating
theatre' and 'operating-room'? What's the difference between them?
Thank you.

Two or three weeks ago I read in The Economist an article whose title was
"There be Dragons". The article dealt with the so-called Asian tigers (Asian
countries with a roaring growth rate). I still can't understand where the
title comes from. There must be a reference to something ...

Is that a common idiom on the right side of the pond?:)
Here in Italy we say: "Another pair of sleeves" (Un altro paio di maniche).
Let us know
Franco

I would like to introduce www.sharedinterests.co.uk to the users of
this group. My website is basically an interests site coupled with user
contact and information services.
If I have offended you then please accept my appologises but I feel

It's very difficult for me to tell how to choose between "Welcome" and
"Welcomed."
For example:
No matter who you are, you are welcome(d) in this party.

What about these idioms? Are them in fashion or out of fashion?
1. Sorry? I beg your pardon? I didn't quite catch that.
2. She thought I was making fun of her.
3. I really put my foot in it.

Could you help me? Please tell me what's the difference between the fiddle
and the violin?
Thank you.

Are there rules for the writing of puns? For example, if I was playing on
the words pause, clause, paws, claws, as in "the cat demanded a pause
clause", is that the way it should be written - as a pun? Or is "the cat
demanded a claws paws?" the correct way - correct when punning, ...

If I write
       Peter is coming tomorrow
or
       Peter and his parents are comming tomorrow,