With a very few exceptions, every word in the French vocabulary comes straight from the Latin.
quote by Lytton Strachey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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His vocabulary
her vocabulary
every word fits into its space
like a classroom
her vocabulary
each word carries its own weight
as it files into my mind
her vocabulary
notes of the morning birds
that strain to sing
her vocabulary
my mind polished
like silver
her vocabulary
the calisthenics of her mind
in my mind
her vocabulary
the precision of her mind
etched onto my heart
her vocabulary
sublime as a glass of
evening whisky
her vocabulary
strikes like
glitters of diamonds
his vocabulary
my brain has no space
to breathe
his vocabulary
every piece of writing
has become a thesis
his vocabulary
he asks to take him
as he is
his vocabulary
she feels he is not true
to his own feelings
his vocabulary
she asks it is weaned from
dictionary or experience
his vocabulary
she asks he is out to impress
or express
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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But at the time when he wrote, Englishmen, with the rarest exceptions, wrote only in French or Latin; and when they began to write in English, a man of genius, to interpret and improve on him, was not found for a long time.
quote by George Saintsbury
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The f word and me
The other day we discussed reasons
why people use
the magical f word.
a Young woman is of the opinion
that it’s because of a lack of imperfect language,
where a person’s vocabulary
lacks other words to use.
I think that there are many more other reasons
to slip in everywhere
and that vocabulary
has very little
or nothing to do with it.
One thing that can incite it
is exposure,
where people hear it
hundreds of times
every day
like in an army.
Subsequently without intention
it becomes part of your conversation
and your own vocabulary,
without drawing any attention
with yourself.
The word f is a power word
that give colour intensity
to the meanings of other words
and it can underline, emphasize
or lift some out.
You can also use it as a word
that has many meanings
and use it like a good shifting spanner
that shift for meaning values.
This word can also
be almost any word type
that gives bigger power
to other words used with it.
The thing that really matters
what others read
in the meaning of my words
and if I loose integrity by using it.
There are times
my mother wants to catch a fit
when I use the f word
and not from the meaning
of my words,
but from the negative context
that can be drawn with the word
and the easy transfer
of the word on children that hear my dialogue.
[With thanks to Skymaster, whose article inspired this poem.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Spanish Lessons
Romantic languages hold the greatest history in my life.
Born into a French speaking home, English remained quite unknown.
In primary school the teachers insisted that French be left home.
Secondary school brought the language of ancient Rome.
French and Latin provided a vocabulary of such richness,
That I found I could think in emotions and speak in images.
Used in everyday conversation produced interesting visages
On the faces of the audience not prepared for linguistic pillages.
Spanish would be a romantic trifecta, and would be of most use.
Latin has continually lost favor since the time of St. Jerome
French while of some use, for me, has not been spoken since home.
This line is of no use, ‘cept I need a rhyme, for example, chrome.
Te amo con todo mi corazón* spoken in a soft lover’s whisper
Provides Spanish a romantic richness and a sensual tone
Warmth and love deep enough to call it my own.
But why take classes at this time in my life?
Tengo que tomar esta clase en este tiempo para ser capaz de apretar dos para muchos de los mensajes telefónicos**
* I love you with all my heart
** I need to take this class at this time to be able to press two for many of the phone messages
The uncommon to be common
There are exceptions to rules.
When exceptions exceeds in use,
Rules relegate to exceptions
And exceptions stay as rules.
The uncommon one frequenting,
The common one is replaced
By the uncommon to be common.
Marriage is soon to be uncommon.
25.09.2010
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Well
'Well' is the most used word in your vocabulary.
'Well' is the word you use to give you the last one.
'Well' is the word when you're losing an argument.
'Well' is the word used when talking is done
'Well' gives you time for further consideration.
'Well' gives you chance to later state your case.
'Well' to you is an answer not a question.
'Well' is the word to use in time of haste.
'Well' is the word you use to cause exasperation.
'Well' is used because you can't think on your feet.
'Well' alleviates embarrassment in your slow repartee.
'Well' is the way to halt an argument's defeat.
poem by Tex T Sarnie
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Language Of Love
Excusez-moi, my pretty mademoiselle,
You are a french girl its easy to tell,
Me, I dont smoke not even a french cigarette,
But I love my pomme de terre,
And always croquette,
I am from angleterre and you are from france,
And you will honour me by having a dance.
Chorus:
Straight away!
Im getting ready for a new sensation,
Never kissed them in another nation,
Internationally Im in clover,
I was a native on the boat ride over,
Straight away!
Im getting ready for my new vocation,
I am the man who will unite the nations,
Ooh la la/how you say it/ca va-this is love,
La la la la la la la language of love.
La la la la la la la language of love.
La la la la la la la language of love.
Weve been together now for more than a day,
And I am waiting to hear what you say,
Come on, come on, I think youre telling me lies,
You are italian, I can tell by your eyes,
I love chianti and I hope youll agree,
That zefferelli makes the movies for me
Chorus repeated.
Instrumental
I try my french, latin, spanish and greek,
This is the language of love that I speak,
I never know if theyre from paris or rome,
We stop the talking when Im walking them home,
One little kiss and then heavens above,
This is the universal language of love.
Straight away!
Are you ready for a new sensation,
Im gonna kiss a girl from every nation,
(rest of chorus as before).
This is love-the language of love.
song performed by by Cliff Richard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Two cows deconstruct Derrida
These two cows were ruminating
and one says, I was listening
to the milkmaid’s transistor
and this French philosopher
was explaining that there’s
no English translation of the French word
‘betise’ except ‘stupidity’ but
‘stupidity’ only refers to man
where the French ‘betise’ means
to behave like an animal…
and the other cow says
well what’s wrong with that
and the first cow says
well his point is, English cows
can’t be stupid; only man
can be stupid..
and the other cow says
well that’s a relief then
so does that mean that French cows
can be stupid
and the first cow says
no because they don’t have a word for it
in French
so the other cow says
so then is it better to be
an English cow
that can’t be stupid
or a French cow
that can’t be called stupid
and the first cow says
who cares, I’ve always said
the French ruminate too much
and then talk bullshit…
and the other cow says
I’m glad I’m a Jersey
what about that French milkmaid
I call sexyhands but
the farmer sometimes calls
a silly cow I wonder what
Derrida would say about that
poem by Michael Shepherd
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That Lonesome Word
'Poverty'
As far as the eye can see
no other word in our vocabulary
begins with letters p-o-v.
The word stands all alone
calling for our sympathy,
humanity, love and charity.
Let us hope this lonely word
will soon be swept into history.
poem by Joyce Hemsley
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In fact, eloquence in English will inevitably make use of the Latin element in our vocabulary.
quote by Robert Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Another Pain To Add To My Collection
Tears rolling down my eyes
My pain growing deeper and deeper
Wondering where did I go wrong
All I did was Loved you, Trusted you, Connected with you
From everything I did for you
How do you repay me?
Walking in on you was the most hurtful thing I ever seen
Getting it out of my head
Is the most hardest thing I had to deal with
Now watch me
In vain while I cry my heart and soul out
Pride is no word I now know
Together is not a word in my vocabulary
How to stop the tears that are pooring
down my face is the unthinkable
Raining harder and harder or is it the tears
Catching you with her
Was like a knife in my back
My body aches
From Trusting you, Loving you, even Connecting with you.
poem by Makayla Straight
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Patience Given
Patience given,
To those dealing with their insecurities...
Have several exceptions!
Patience given to a child,
Learning when and how to use a toilet.
Patience given to a child,
Going to school for the first time.
Patience given to a child,
Learning how to share.
Patience given to a child,
When left with a babysitter.
Patience given to a child,
When learning the difference...
Between telling a lie and being honest.
Patience given to a child,
When being taught to be responsible.
Patience given,
To those dealing with their insecurities...
Have several exceptions!
Extenuating exceptions beyond the call of reason,
Requires one to ignore with an ability...
That preserves a peace of mind one wishes,
To keep and maintain undisturbed...
By those who are,
Disturbed by their expectations to be exceptions...
To the rule.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Science gives us a powerful vocabulary, and it is impossible to produce a vocabulary with which one can only say nice things.
quote by John Charles Polanyi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If you're not ready to die for it, put the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary.
Tired is not a word in my vocabulary.
quote by Brittany Murphy
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Human beings, for all their pretensions, have a remarkable propensity for lending themselves to classification somewhere within neatly labelled categories. Even the outrageous exceptions may be classified as outrageous exceptions.
quote by W.J. Reichmann
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Dictionary (revised Version)
An eager beginner’s trusted cicerone
In the gossamer of abecedarian warrens
An ever-flowing brook beside a book-worm
Slaking his never-ending thirst for a fresh idiom
A writer’s permanent bed-side companion
On and on, blooming in him
Novel thought-jasmines
A poet’s handy spice-box of imagery
For use ready in his verse-cuisine
It is dictionary; our warehouse of vocabulary
A A word anew when learned opens the gates
To the splendid new world of ken and acumen
Let us master the word, its usage and spirit
Right and perfect and offer to our fellow men
Our best message, sweet, yet candid and straight
Oh dear English! The million-word-rich treasure
You are the language making this world, one world
The golden cord connecting the humanity, bead by bead
When we find you; we conquer this planet for sure
poem by Sathya Narayana
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Bad For Good
BAD FOR GOOD
Music: Rudolf Schenker
Lyrics: Klaus Meine, Dieter Dierks
Bad for good
She tells it like it is
The french word of a kiss
She's so bad for good to me
She's so bad for good
She wants more of this
You can feel it with a kiss
She's as bad as she can be
The thoughts in my head
Where would they be going ?
Seems to me
It's a tough call for one to imagine
They're saying they do when I win
I look in the mirror
Reflect from the ceiling
She wears next to nothin
Next to nothin but only
A touch of perfume on her skin, oh yeeeaaaahhhhh
She's so bad for good
She tells it like it is
The french word of a kiss
She's so bad for good to me
She's so bad for good
She wants more of this
You can feel it with a kiss
She's as bad as she can be
She's so bad for good
She tells it like it is
The french word of a kiss
She's so bad for good to me
She's so bad for good
She wants more of this
You can feel it with a kiss
She's as bad as she can be
If those were my fingers
What would they be doing
Is pouring along
From head to toe like a stranger
To be once again lost and found...yeeeaaaahhhhh
She's so bad for good
She tells it like it is
The french word of a kiss
She's so bad for good to me
She's so bad for good
She wants more of this
You can feel it with a kiss
She's as bad as she can be
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
She's so bad for good
Bad for good
Bad for good
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
song performed by by Scorpions
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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""Stay"" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.
quote by Louisa May Alcott
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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And it should be the law: If you use the word ""paradigm"" without knowing what the dictionary says it means, you go to jail. No exceptions.
quote by David Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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