Can we really expect the unexpected?
Posted by: Roy in Reflections, blog, reactions, thought & opinions, tags: authority, bridge, building, English, expect, opinion, play, proper, unexpected, wordsNOPE! This is not a sequel to my July 18 Earthquake post, this is about some English words and phrases that I have encountered then and now. Somehow these words and phrases has made me think and ask. You may take this seriously, but I suggest you won’t as I am merely playing with words, from someone who is not really an English expert, but then again….
Some of these words and phrases are as follows:
Proper Authority - which makes me ask the question “is there an improper authority?” and if ever there is such a thing, would it still be considered to be an authority knowing that it is improper?
Expect the unexpected - if we are expecting it, is it still right to refer to it as the unexpected? Can we really expect the unexpected?
Point of no return - how did we know? Who told us? Is there someone who was able to return and tell the tale?
Best of the best - shouldn’t ‘best’ refer to the ultimate? so there should only be one, right? How come there are lots of best(s) to choose from?
Tucked out - as opposed to tucked-in… really now, if a shirt is hanging loosely outside your pants, would it still be considered tucked?
Better half - which we use to refer to our spouse… but then, if our spouse is the better half, what kind of half will that make of us? Are we the not-so-better-half?
I’ll cross the bridge when I get there - a very safe and convenient answer to a hypothetical question. Whoever coined the phrase must have thought of himself as clever. But ‘duh!’ of course you can’t cross the bridge until you’re there! That’s why it’s hypothetical! That answer only impress to me as someone who has no vision of what should happen when a situation occurs.
Anyways - what’s with the ‘s‘? I hear it almost everyday! From emcees, VJs, DJs, most smart-alec and from people who are supposed to be speaking English fluently. Was I really taught wrongly all along as a child? Enlighten me please… anyones?
Irregardless - two negatives at the beginning and at the end of the word. Applying the rules of Mathematics (two negatives makes positive), does it mean ‘with regards?’
Building - a structure or an edifice. But construction is already finished and the work is already done. But why is it still referred to as building? Shouldn’t it be called ‘Built‘?
In my humble opinion - as opposed to a proud opinion?
In my own opinion - would I state another person’s opinion?
Like I said, you may take them seriously or not. These are just results of my playful thoughts.
They could even be nonsense…. or are they?
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Well, Roy that’s the English language for you - full of idioms, similes, metaphors and oxymorons - very colorful indeed.
I was smiling while reading your posts as your observations are correct.
What about our own language?
“Kung hindi mo makikita, makikita mo!” ( literally translated as - If you don’t see it, you’ll see?)
Language is a very colorful medium of communication. That is why you need non verbal communication too, to really understand the message.
A thought provoking post and funny too.
Keep posting.
By the way, I have also included your two widgets in my side bar ads at my campaign blog. Cheers.
Thanks Jena! You’ve been really very supportive. I’m sure you will be rewarded for all you kindness.
God bless!
Lol, have you ever checked out the annual Banished Words List from a little school in the Upper Penninsula in Michigan. http://www.lssu.edu. I went to school there and every year they would banish these societal words that were just useless. I still use them of course, but it’s a fun thing that makes national news every year. You should submit these to them.
http://www.peglegstarfish.com
Can we really banish words, hehe… will check them out sometime.
thanks for dropping by
You are so right on! I recently read a book (that came highly recommended) called “On Writing Well” by william zinsser. He makes this point clearly and focuses on reduction, reduction, reduction. Make it simple and if it is redundant, take it out. Have a gr8 weekend *huggies*
Will try to check that book sometime
Thanks for dropping by!
guilty!!! i’ve used a couple of the phrases you have mentioned. it sometimes comes out naturally, like you’ve heard or used them so many times, no one thinks they’re wrong or even if you think they are, you ignore them because you have become used to their use. i was smiling while reading this.
hi fifi!
we are all guilty of it, one or another.
honestly, I really don’t know if some of them are indeed correct or wrong
Hey Roy,
kebigan mo pala si Jan, he’s a good writer.
Roy,
I am nominating you for sum’tin sum’tin Top 10 ni Janette Toral, but can I request that you put your archives on your sidebar? When you’re done, can you let me know? Either or email me at ofwcenter@gmail.com. Thank you!
wow naman! flattered naman ako mahal na reyna!
pero teka, qualified pa ba ito? kelan ba cut-off nila? pero ganun pa man, gagawin yung sinasabi mo
yup! I’m proud to say na kaibigan ko Jan, although I have yet to meet him kasi ayaw niyang umattend ng iBlog5 kahit pilit ang gawin ko
but he’s really a good writer
Done. Here’s the link! http://reynaelena.com/2009/05/10/reynas-top-10-choices-top-10-emerging-influential-blogs-for-2009/#more-10390
thanks!
nauna pa akong mag-comment dun bago ko pa ma-approve yung comment mo dito hehe…
ahhhhhhhhhhh I am guilty as charged here and there ahahaha. Sayang nga di tayo nagkita. Daming andun sa iblog6 na di ko narin nakausap the place was so full ang hirap magkakitaan.
Dami nga nakaisip sakin when the Nuffnang representative spoke eh. Pinigilan ko nalang ang sarili ko.
iBlog5 pa lang, next year pa yung iBlog6 hehehe…
dami pala nag-iisip sa yo nung oras na yun
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. Am just making my presence felt, my friend.
Thanks for the insightful post. It is interestingly innovative. May I be so privileged to follow your every post? I have been dropping your EC. Hope you’re in the best of health.
This is a funny list. This will fit nicely in my blog, Roy. Ang daya mo. Baka naman may another compilation ka pa diyan. I’d be glad to make it as your guest post. The listed words are okay, but I find your observations brilliant. That makes it more compelling.
I’m against banishing words though. It’s not right. My rule is let them die of natural causes.
There are even sites that sponsor words that are in danger of being booted out of the dictionary. Yeah, I am not kidding. I just read it the other day.
If we are saddened by tree’s being felled just because we want to make Kleenex out of them, well! I’m saddened too just because some people are lazy enough to make creative use of the language.
But this is how democracy works. I’m just saying that I feel inclined to hug words which are being threatened by extinction - just because some people who may be brighter and wiser than me think these are ready to be put to sleep.
aba! gising ka pa rin? lol
another list? hmmm… let me dig up in my trunk, I might be able to find something
[...] This post was Twitted by Jan_Geronimo - Real-url.org [...]
i am not sure if the words and phrases you mentioned are wrong. but they are acceptable, aren’t they? figures of speech. or shall we say that it’s one of the beauty of language, and we don’t have to be literal-minded. we can let simple words morph into another of a different meaning, of a different usage.
ok, I don’t have to repeat again what others had said. It’s doubly redundant.
Yes, that is the beauty of a living, active language. Nice list, Roy but everybody already said what I want to say. If I repeat, ceblogger is correct. It will be a double repeated recurring redundancy.
I advise you to ask Dr. Laurencio Deriada. He can explain everything, I assure you.
What else can I say? INFLAMMABLE!
hmm… can he cure me
thanks Webbielady!
[...] The weekly WOOF Writing Contest is one of those I am joining on a regular basis. For last week’s edition of the contest, I submitted a poem for wife and an article about words and phrases that got me thinking. [...]
[...] – “Can we really expect the unexpected?” – Just some words and phrases which have caught my curiosity and wondered if they were [...]