Fully (sic): linguists down under.
March 21, 2011 7:03 AM Subscribe
Fully (sic) is "Crikey’s very own language blog for discerning word nerds. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle of Australian linguists getting all hot and bothered about the way we communicate." It's the Aussie equivalent of Language Log, frequently linked here on the Blue. To get you started, Does Moomba really mean ‘up your bum’? (Answer: Nobody knows for sure, but the search is lots of fun.)
Oooh, lovely. Although I admit I cracked up at this on the Moomba link:
"the bear minimum of plausibility"
A delightful example of the more-advanced applications of Skitt's Law.
posted by restless_nomad at 8:40 AM on March 21, 2011
"the bear minimum of plausibility"
A delightful example of the more-advanced applications of Skitt's Law.
posted by restless_nomad at 8:40 AM on March 21, 2011
I didn't see an entry for stopper, a word I learned from an Australian friend. Stoppers are employed by the government to stop traffic when kangaroos are crossing. You'll find them in areas of high roo concentration.
Yes, I know!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:12 AM on March 21, 2011
Yes, I know!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:12 AM on March 21, 2011
Heh, Moomba, I know that is a water ski/wakeboarding boat manufacturer. Made in Tennessee, USA. They've been in business for over a decade, originally purchased the boat mould from an Australian tow boat company.
So, which meaning came first and does a word's meaning change over time.
posted by alicesshoe at 10:28 AM on March 21, 2011
So, which meaning came first and does a word's meaning change over time.
posted by alicesshoe at 10:28 AM on March 21, 2011
"Bill Onus"? Seriously? I mean, given the subject matter, that's just one letter away from definite "pull the other one, it's got bells on it" territory.
Not saying it's not true, mind, just that, well. You know.
posted by IndigoJones at 11:16 AM on March 21, 2011
Not saying it's not true, mind, just that, well. You know.
posted by IndigoJones at 11:16 AM on March 21, 2011
It does if enough people agree it does.
That was certainly the consensus in primary school.
posted by pompomtom at 1:39 PM on March 21, 2011
That was certainly the consensus in primary school.
posted by pompomtom at 1:39 PM on March 21, 2011
I didn't see an entry for stopper, a word I learned from an Australian friend. Stoppers are employed by the government to stop traffic when kangaroos are crossing. You'll find them in areas of high roo concentration.
Is that a joke or something I'm not getting? Cause I have lived in four states, cities and country, and have never heard that term used, or those people - even when I have lived in areas with shitloads of kangaroos. They tend to stay off the roads anyway, cars and no grass and all of that.
posted by smoke at 5:39 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is that a joke or something I'm not getting? Cause I have lived in four states, cities and country, and have never heard that term used, or those people - even when I have lived in areas with shitloads of kangaroos. They tend to stay off the roads anyway, cars and no grass and all of that.
posted by smoke at 5:39 PM on March 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
this could be helpful. thanks!
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:06 PM on March 21, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:06 PM on March 21, 2011
Civil_Disobediant, to use another classic Australian phrase, someone was taking the piss out of you with "stopper".
But have you heard about the Dropbears...
(The general attitude towards kangaroos in rural areas is that they're a bastard to hit with your car, because they'll put a serious dent in your bonnet unless you've got a roobar. They can even fly up and smash your windscreen if you're unlucky, which isn't fun at 110km/h.)
posted by jasperella at 8:13 PM on March 21, 2011
But have you heard about the Dropbears...
(The general attitude towards kangaroos in rural areas is that they're a bastard to hit with your car, because they'll put a serious dent in your bonnet unless you've got a roobar. They can even fly up and smash your windscreen if you're unlucky, which isn't fun at 110km/h.)
posted by jasperella at 8:13 PM on March 21, 2011
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It does if enough people agree it does.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:39 AM on March 21, 2011