Problems with English? Questions? Vocabulary, grammar... Post here :)

SigTerm · 08-17-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

What is the meaning of "vet" in the following quote?

Although I normally see "vet" being used as "veterenarian", apparently it has extra meaning.

vet:

Quote:

to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

Also, my own question:

Is it possible to say "cat washes its face" in english using only TWO words? I.e. "cat ...(place a verb here)..."? I can't remember an english verb that means "wash one's face". Maybe there's another expression for cats (like "making muffins" for kneading)?

Anisha Kaul · 08-17-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Although I normally see "vet" being used as "veterenarian", apparently it has extra meaning.

vet:

Thanks, I thought vet meant the short form for doctor of animals,
I have that dictionary link too, should have searched there before.

SL00b · 08-18-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Although I normally see "vet" being used as "veterenarian", apparently it has extra meaning.

vet:

Quote:

to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

As a noun, "vet" is a commonly-used short form of both "veterinarian" and "veteran," though you should be able to tell the difference in context. The definition given above is the verb form, which is correct for the original question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigTerm

Also, my own question:

Is it possible to say "cat washes its face" in english using only TWO words? I.e. "cat ...(place a verb here)..."? I can't remember an english verb that means "wash one's face". Maybe there's another expression for cats (like "making muffins" for kneading)?

Unless "cat washes its face" is an idiom I'm not familiar with that has a two-word equivalent, I'd say no.

Anisha Kaul · 09-01-2011, 12:07 AM

Code:

For few moments I thought you were sleepy.

OR

Code:

For few moments I thought you were feeling sleepy.

Which one is more appropriate?

MrCode · 09-01-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Which one is more appropriate?

…depends on the context. For example, your first one is a more objective statement (if "objective" can be applied to a term like "sleepy"

), whereas your second one is indicating more of a subjective view (you thought the one you were addressing might have felt sleepy, without necessarily actually being sleepy).

I hope that makes some kind of sense…the way I put it might not have been the most ideal.

caravel · 09-01-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Code:

For a few moments I thought you were feeling sleepy.

You missed the "a".

brianL · 09-01-2011, 02:33 AM

Need an "a" before few, like so:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Code:

For a few moments I thought you were sleepy.

OR

Code:

For a few moments I thought you were feeling sleepy.

Which one is more appropriate?

Beaten to it by Caravel. Faster typers should be banned!

Anisha Kaul · 09-01-2011, 02:34 AM

Okay, understood about "a". Now, what
about the word "feeling"? Is that needed?
BTW, the statement was meant to be a pun.

brianL · 09-01-2011, 02:39 AM

"feeling" isn't really needed, but it's not wrong to put it there. And it was meant as a joke, not exactly a pun.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pun

Anisha Kaul · 09-01-2011, 02:44 AM

What is exactly called a "friendly" sarcasm?

The dict. says:

Code:

the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications, or the use of words that are alike

So, by "sleepy" I hinted that he was being
absent minded. Isn't that still a pun?

phil.d.g · 09-01-2011, 02:56 AM

No a pun, is when a play on words that are phonetically similar eg:

Quote:

Originally Posted by internet

He kept an alarm clock in the back window of his car. He was always ahead of his time.

catkin · 09-01-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.d.g

No a pun, is when a play on words that are phonetically similar eg:

Which words are phonetically similar in the example?

floppywhopper · 09-01-2011, 03:29 AM

Ronnie Barker has an excellent guide to English pronunciation here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ0nFQgRApY
and also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdMZZ...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moDPm...eature=related

floppy

Anisha Kaul · 09-01-2011, 03:29 AM

Okay, will that sleepy statement be called
a "tongue in cheek"?

I somehow used to think all this while that
a pun, and a tongue in cheek
are sort of "friendly" sarcasms, which are
not meant to be hurtful.

phil.d.g · 09-01-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catkin

Which words are phonetically similar in the example?

None.

It made sense in my mind at the time. What I should of said is a pun is the use of a phrase to mean one thing, but is usually taken to mean something else. Example still stands.