What exactly do we mean when we start a sentence with 'Well?' as in 'Well, it's nearly time to call it a day.'

Or, 'so,' as in, 'So, what you're saying is, it's nearly time to call it a day.'

Either of those would work just as well without them.

(You can tell I'm having a slow day, can't you?)

I use "so" to start a sentence loads...

Malc

What exactly do we mean when we start a sentence with 'Well?' as in 'Well, it's nearly time to call it a day.'

Or, 'so,' as in, 'So, what you're saying is, it's nearly time to call it a day.'

Either of those would work just as well without them.

(You can tell I'm having a slow day, can't you?)

Not sure whether its in the same vein but I hate it when people end sentences with a lingering "or".

It's a prompt for an alternative, isn't it? Or...?

Well I never......


(wtf does that actually mean? And did I need to say 'actually?')

I use "so" to start a sentence loads...

Try working in Ireland, they use it to end sentences.

Everyone says "Hello". It doesn't mean what they think it means.

Try working in Ireland, they use it to end sentences.

Everyone says "Hello". It doesn't mean what they think it means.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Sicilians?

Try working in Ireland, they use it to end sentences.

I do that. It feels right.

Try working in Ireland, they use it to end sentences.

To be so.

Not sure whether its in the same vein but I hate it when people end sentences with a lingering "or".

One that's always really puzzled me is "ruthless" - there's no opposite to that, so the root word seems to be meaningless.

I've just done what I should have done ten years ago, and looked up the etymology:

early 14c., from reuthe "pity, compassion" (late 12c.), formed from reuwen "to rue" on the model of true/truth, etc. Ruthful (early 13c.) has fallen from use since late 17c. except as a deliberate archaism.

I'm reviving "ruthful".

I am such a dolent man,
I eptly work each day;
My acts are all becilic,
I've just ane things to say.

My nerves are strung, my hair is kempt,
I'm gusting and I'm span:
I look with dain on everyone
And am a pudent man.

I travel cognito and make
A delible impression:
I overcome a slight chalance,
With gruntled self-possesion.

My, dignation would be great
If I should digent be:
I trust my vagance will bring
An astrous life for me.

It's like 'gormless', my favourite definition of which is "to be without gorm".

Quite. I called someone gormy once, to their utter confusion.

Heh! It doesn't sound like a compliment, does it?

I've never understood the American term 'debunk.' I'm sure I've heard of thinks being 'bunk' i.e. nonsense, which would imply that debunking is saying something isn't nonsense, rather than what they seem to mean, which is to prove something to be wrong.

Good point. Although they say they "could care less", when they mean "couldn't", so it's not surprising, really.

Have you ever had to deal with an Irish Telecoms company?

*narrows eyes*

Want to give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice on it?

Good point. Although they say they "could care less", when they mean "couldn't", so it's not surprising, really.

Oooh - sinister - what was that freeware game that was a bit like XCom that you linked on here ages ago? I can't find it.

No, we're not. It's not an americanism, it's just wrong.

Anyone who isn't using sarcasm yet has so little regard for the conversation they are having with me & words they are using that the thing they say means the precise opposite of what they half-wittedly believe they are saying should, it follows, not make a fuss when I show equal disregard for what my fist is doing to their STUPID DUMB FACE.

People who say 'could care less' are worse than paedophiles and should be killed.

No, we're not. It's not an americanism, it's just wrong.

Oooh - sinister - what was that freeware game that was a bit like XCom that you linked on here ages ago? I can't find it.

I've never understood the American term 'debunk.' I'm sure I've heard of thinks being 'bunk' i.e. nonsense, which would imply that debunking is saying something isn't nonsense, rather than what they seem to mean, which is to prove something to be wrong.

first used by U.S. novelist William Woodward (1874-1950), the notion being "to take the bunk out of things."

That'd be grand, sure enough.

Thanks a million! Bye bye bye bye bye.

One that's always really puzzled me is "ruthless" - there's no opposite to that, so the root word seems to be meaningless.

It had been a rough day, so when I walked into the party I was very chalant, despite my efforts to appear gruntled and consolate.

I was furling my wieldy umbrella for the coat check when I saw her standing alone in a corner. She was a descript person, a woman in a state of total array. Her hair was kempt, her clothing shevelled, and she moved in a gainly way.

I wanted desperately to meet her, but I knew I'd have to make bones about it, since I was travelling cognito. Beknownst to me, the hostess, whom I could see both hide and hair of, was very proper, so it would be skin off my nose if anything bad happened. And even though I had only swerving loyalty to her, my manners couldn't be peccable. Only toward and heard-of behavior would do.

Fortunately, the embarrassment that my maculate appearance might cause was evitable. There were two ways about it, but the chances that someone as flappable as I would be ept enough to become persona grata or a sung hero were slim. I was, after all, something to sneeze at, someone you could easily hold a candle to, someone who usually aroused bridled passion.

So I decided not to risk it. But then, all at once, for some apparent reason, she looked in my direction and smiled in a way that I could make heads or tails of.

I was plussed. It was concerting to see that she was communicado, and it nerved me that she was interested in a pareil like me, sight seen. Normally, I had a domitable spirit, but, being corrigible, I felt capacitated—as if there were something I was great shakes at—and forgot that I had succeeded in situations like this only a told number of times. So, after a terminable delay, I acted with mitigated gall and made my way through the ruly crowd with strong givings.

Nevertheless, since this was all new hat to me and I had no time to prepare a promptu speech, I was petuous. Wanting to make only called-for remarks, I started talking about the hors d'oeuvres, trying to abuse her of the notion that I was sipid, and perhaps even bunk a few myths about myself.

She responded well, and I was mayed that she considered me a savory character who was up to some good. She told me who she was. "What a perfect nomer," I said, advertently. The conversation became more and more choate, and we spoke at length to much avail. But I was defatigable, so I had to leave at a godly hour. I asked if she wanted to come with me. To my delight, she was committal. We left the party together and have been together ever since. I have given her my love, and she has requited it.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Sicilians?

Jagged Alliance 2 is one of the best games I've ever played, and is the closest thing to an xcom game that isn't an xcom game or an attempt to be one. That's not free either, though.

Jagged Alliance 2 is one of the best games I've ever played, and is the closest thing to an xcom game that isn't an xcom game or an attempt to be one. That's not free either, though.