Why I love English

[andrewducker]

The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.
-- James D. Nicoll

Comments

[cangetmad.livejournal.com]

That's excellent. That's also why English speakers who go ballistic about language change inspire me to heights of (variously) rage and hilarity.

[andrewducker]

There's a Kissinger quote "They don't even have a word for détente in Russian."

I've always loved that.

heh

[josephgrossberg.livejournal.com]

I had a journalism prof. who insisted "fun" wasn't an adjective (it was only a noun).

I was like, "Who the fuck are you?"

[lee-lou.livejournal.com]

That is so true :)

I've just added you as a friend btw - have been meaning to for ages but never got around to it!

Maggie x

[broin.livejournal.com]

Great quote. =)

[tisme.livejournal.com]

How very Pratchettian.