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12/06/2005 07:05:15 PM · #1 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
I didn't say that "hyperbole" was a subclass of "colloquialism". Look at it this way; think of a colloquialism as a noun, and "hyperbolic" as a modifier of that noun. Many things can be hyperbolic, not just colloquialisms. To say something is a "hyperbole" is not to exclude it from the class "colloquialism".
R. |
It was this:Originally posted by bear_music:
"Hyperbole" and "Euphemism" are not the same sort of distinct class as "Colloquialism". |
I'm really not trying to split hairs, I'd just like a satisfying term or expression for these sayings....
Hyperbolic Colloquialism (Adj. + N.)
Colloquial Hyperbole (Adj. + N.)
It doesn't seem to matter what part of speech they're assigned. We basically come up with the same meaning.
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12/06/2005 06:59:23 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Originally posted by bear_music:
"Hyperbole" and "Euphemism" are not the same sort of distinct class as "Colloquialism". In other words, a colloquialism might be either hyperbolic or euphemistic in nature, but does not have to be. So, for that matter, an aphorism might be (and frequently is) hyperbolic, though they would rarely be euphemistic.
Your definitions of colloquialism and aphorism are spot on. Basically, "colloquial" is semi-synonymous with "vernacular": not exactly, but it involves localized speech patterns and forms of expression.
Anyway, my point is that a colloquialism is hyperbolic does not make it less than a colloquialism, just a particular SORT of colloquialism.
R. |
I understand that a colloquialism can be hyperbolic. But hyperbole does not need have to be colloquial, either. So I'm not sure that one is a sub-class of the other.
That said, I've been looking for a term that fits these sayings and have come up dry. I'd suggest that a colloquialism might be something like "I took a spin through suicide corner on my way to the Oakdale"--translation specific to locale= "I drove through the junction of routes 17 and 81 on the way to the local mall." A regionalism might be something like my grandmother saying "I have to go over-town"--meaning that she had to go to the shops on the main street of our small town to get something--it's an expression one hears in areas along the Appalachian Mountain chain. If the expression is well known throughout the US it would be an "Americanism," perhaps?
But I'm not sure any of these satisfy the classification of expressions which are used in some places in the US (maybe just in rural areas, for example) and not in others, yet aren't contained regionally. Nor do these seem to fit the peculiar nature of the general type of expression mostly posted here. Could they be "hyperbolic insults"? Or are they just plain old "figures of speech"? Given the propensity for linguists and anglophiles to name things, there must be an appropriate term...no?
<> |
I didn't say that "hyperbole" was a subclass of "colloquialism". Look at it this way; think of a colloquialism as a noun, and "hyperbolic" as a modifier of that noun. Many things can be hyperbolic, not just colloquialisms. To say something is a "hyperbole" is not to exclude it from the class "colloquialism".
R.
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 18:59:47. |
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12/06/2005 06:55:34 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
"Hyperbole" and "Euphemism" are not the same sort of distinct class as "Colloquialism". In other words, a colloquialism might be either hyperbolic or euphemistic in nature, but does not have to be. So, for that matter, an aphorism might be (and frequently is) hyperbolic, though they would rarely be euphemistic.
Your definitions of colloquialism and aphorism are spot on. Basically, "colloquial" is semi-synonymous with "vernacular": not exactly, but it involves localized speech patterns and forms of expression.
Anyway, my point is that a colloquialism is hyperbolic does not make it less than a colloquialism, just a particular SORT of colloquialism.
R. |
I understand that a colloquialism can be hyperbolic. But hyperbole does not need have to be colloquial, either. So I'm not sure that one is a sub-class of the other.
That said, I've been looking for a term that fits these sayings and have come up dry. I'd suggest that a colloquialism might be something like "I took a spin through suicide corner on my way to the Oakdale"--translation specific to locale= "I drove through the junction of routes 17 and 81 on the way to the local mall." A regionalism might be something like my grandmother saying "I have to go over-town"--meaning that she had to go to the shops on the main street of our small town to get something--it's an expression one hears in areas along the Appalachian Mountain chain. If the expression is well known throughout the US it would be an "Americanism," perhaps?
But I'm not sure any of these satisfy the classification of expressions which are used in some places in the US (maybe just in rural areas, for example) and not in others, yet aren't contained regionally. Nor do these seem to fit the peculiar nature of the general type of expression mostly posted here. Could they be "hyperbolic insults"? Or are they just plain old "figures of speech"? Given the propensity for linguists and anglophiles to name things, there must be an appropriate term...no?
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12/06/2005 06:29:12 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Originally posted by bear_music:
Originally posted by idnic:
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse." |
Someone called me that one time, and I was soooooooo offended. Didn't know it was meant to be a compliment, I thought "you're comparing me to an outhouse!!!" |
"Built like a brick shithouse" = "stacked", as in bricks are stacked during construction. In case anyone wondered where that comes from.
R. |
Still not sure I like being compared to a pile (stack) of bricks. :P |
Better than "Built like a cowflop's ass" isn't it?
R.
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 18:29:42. |
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12/06/2005 06:26:59 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
Originally posted by idnic:
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse." |
Someone called me that one time, and I was soooooooo offended. Didn't know it was meant to be a compliment, I thought "you're comparing me to an outhouse!!!" |
"Built like a brick shithouse" = "stacked", as in bricks are stacked during construction. In case anyone wondered where that comes from.
R. |
Still not sure I like being compared to a pile (stack) of bricks. :P
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12/06/2005 05:58:44 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse." |
Someone called me that one time, and I was soooooooo offended. Didn't know it was meant to be a compliment, I thought "you're comparing me to an outhouse!!!" |
"Built like a brick shithouse" = "stacked", as in bricks are stacked during construction. In case anyone wondered where that comes from.
R. |
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12/06/2005 05:56:14 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
To summarize, it's a colloquialism if it's what they say around your neck of the woods. It's an aphorism if it's said in order to instruct or advise--a short, pithy saying that means a whole lot more. It's hyperbole if it's an exaggeration--most of what we've been reading here--often contains the word "than"--faster than a speeding bullet. And its euphemism if it says it without saying "it"---but that's another thread.
<> |
"Hyperbole" and "Euphemism" are not the same sort of distinct class as "Colloquialism". In other words, a colloquialism might be either hyperbolic or euphemistic in nature, but does not have to be. So, for that matter, an aphorism might be (and frequently is) hyperbolic, though they would rarely be euphemistic.
Your definitions of colloquialism and aphorism are spot on. Basically, "colloquial" is semi-synonymous with "vernacular": not exactly, but it involves localized speech patterns and forms of expression.
Anyway, my point is that a colloquialism is hyperbolic does not make it less than a colloquialism, just a particular SORT of colloquialism.
R. |
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12/06/2005 10:38:41 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Wonder how many other "profile" hits you got after that post? |
Not as many as I'll get now that you posted that! *blushes* lol
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12/06/2005 10:36:15 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse." |
Someone called me that one time, and I was soooooooo offended. Didn't know it was meant to be a compliment, I thought "you're comparing me to an outhouse!!!" |
I've been in a few outhouses and none of them looked like this...
Wonder how many other "profile" hits you got after that post?
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12/06/2005 10:25:03 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse." |
Someone called me that one time, and I was soooooooo offended. Didn't know it was meant to be a compliment, I thought "you're comparing me to an outhouse!!!"
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12/06/2005 10:18:26 AM · #11 |
| Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! |
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12/06/2005 10:16:41 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
I feel really silly 'cuz I had the thread title changed, and it was right in the first place.
SC, perhaps we could change it one last time and call it "Colloquialisms & Aphorisms"? Then we can "Have our cake, and eat it too." |
Here you go ... |
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12/06/2005 09:44:04 AM · #13 |
She's Attractive: "She's built like a brick shithouse."
She's Unattractive: "She fell out of the ugly tree; and hit every branch on the way down." |
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12/06/2005 09:40:29 AM · #14 |
Well, regardless of definition, these have been amusing. Some I have known all my life, in one variation or another.
Here's my contribution:
On someone's mental state-
"His oatmeal aint quite done."
Appearance-
"She'd make a freight train take a dirt road"
Common: "I wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole"
Less common: "She's been touched by too many ten foot poles"
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12/06/2005 09:34:17 AM · #15 |
SC,
Let's change the title to "Splitting Hairs" J/K ;)
I'm glad for the education. It's nice to have so many literary experts on this site.
Personally, I don't care what it's called, as long as people find it. I'm having a great time collecting a bunch of new sayings, and variations on my current ones.
When my screenplay is finished, I'll hire Robert & KaDi to edit it.
Keep 'em comin'!
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12/06/2005 09:21:47 AM · #16 |
We're not quite cleared up...
I'll agree with Robert that "Aphorism" isn't quite what's being offered up here on the whole--and Colloquialism can include aphorisms.
Examples of aphorisms in this thread:
A fartin’ horse will never tire and a fartin man is the man to hire.
"The only time a whale gets harpooned, is when its up blowin".
"You can never trust someone that don't trust their own pants."
Examples of colloquialisms which are not aphorisms:
If something something is dead or broke we say, "It's tits up"
"Don't let the screendoor hit ya' in the ass on yer way out."
"If it was a snake, it woulda bit me!"
Water under the bridge!
But most of what has been offered here is *hyperbole*!
Examples of hyperbole in this thread (just a few of the many, many):
"I'm foxier than a fresh f*#@ed fox in a forest fire".
"Busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest"
Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
I wonder if these are euphemistic hyperbole:
"She gives me a pain in the ankle ... two joints higher!"
"I'd like to cut that dog's tail off...right behind his ears."
To summarize, it's a colloquialism if it's what they say around your neck of the woods. It's an aphorism if it's said in order to instruct or advise--a short, pithy saying that means a whole lot more. It's hyperbole if it's an exaggeration--most of what we've been reading here--often contains the word "than"--faster than a speeding bullet. And its euphemism if it says it without saying "it"---but that's another thread.
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12/06/2005 08:55:31 AM · #17 |
Robert,
Thanks for clearing up the definition issue.
I feel really silly 'cuz I had the thread title changed, and it was right in the first place.
SC, perhaps we could change it one last time and call it "Colloquialisms & Aphorisms"? Then we can "Have our cake, and eat it too." |
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12/06/2005 06:25:18 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
Here's a couple more scatalogical ones.
You can't polish a turd. |
To which the reply is, 'no, but you can tie a ribbon round it.' |
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12/06/2005 06:14:21 AM · #19 |
I rather like ...
"Oh he's running around rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic"
or
"About as effective as a power serve into quicksand"
Brett
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 06:15:31. |
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12/06/2005 01:41:01 AM · #20 |
| Are 'dummer than a box of rocks' and 'had to drop the kids off at the pool' aphorisms? Anyway, they're funny sayings at least. |
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12/06/2005 01:31:26 AM · #21 |
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12/06/2005 12:58:19 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
How does colloquialism differ from idiom? |
"An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not compositional—that is, whose meaning does not follow from the meaning of the individual words of which it is composed. For example, the English phrase to kick the bucket means to die. A listener knowing the meaning of kick and bucket will not thereby be able to predict that the expression can mean to die. Idioms are often, though perhaps not universally, classified as figures of speech."
Some people use "idiom" more widely, but properly it would be something like the above, from wikipedia. All idioms are colloquial by definition, but not all colloquialisms are idiomatic. For example, "Busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest" is a colloquialism that's not in the least idiomatic because it's easily decipherable.
Robt. |
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12/06/2005 12:49:26 AM · #23 |
| How does colloquialism differ from idiom? |
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12/06/2005 12:48:31 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by KaDi:
Whoa! Just noticed the thread' name has been changed! Won't that confuse people? |
There's nothing new under the sun.
A rose by any other name ... |
THOSE are aphorisms, yup!
R. |
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12/06/2005 12:47:15 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Whoa! Just noticed the thread' name has been changed! Won't that confuse people? |
There's nothing new under the sun.
A rose by any other name ... |
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