 The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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OP
Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
The use, misuse and abuse of the lowly "U" has caused a slight degree of heartburn. A quick search of the mysterious & unsubstantiated internet revealed the following otherwise useless & questionable information. For most it's common language, for others living most of their life in the US/Canadian border country, except for the 10 memorable years exiled to redrock Utah, the inserted "U" is a familiar and comforting site. For others living north of the 49th parallel........well, they just don't know any better  "Canadian English generally follows British spelling, but often the American alternative is possible too."
1. Australian English also generally follows the British tradition.
British Canadian American
behaviour behaviour behavior
cheque cheque check
clamour clamour clamor
colour colour* color
favour favour favor
favourite favourite favorite
honour honour honor
humour humour humorOr as Junior Barnes once famously stated in a cucumber field in 1974, "We're all a bunch of cabbage heads on the banana boat of life". Inspirational 
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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 Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657 |
This can all be blamed on one Noah Webster, who took it upon himself to rewrite the American language.  JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
(Hmmmmm...I wonder if John here is directing this little bit of etymological studies to anyone in particular around here???)  (...oh YEAH, wait a minute!!!  ..."maybe" to ME, huh???!!!)  Thank you, John! I'd say the above report was well researched AND quite...errr...pretty darn entertaining TOO, ol' buddy!!! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
This can all be blamed on one Noah Webster, who took it upon himself to rewrite the American language.
Uh huh, Bill! That's correct. We CAN "blame" this all on Noah Webster, alright!!!
HOWEVER, let me ask ya a question here, bro....
Does ANYBODY who speaks this hodgepodge of the English language and in any of its permutations throughout this planet EVER pronounce the words "humor", "labor", "color"(and please excuse the "missing" U in those words there, if you would  ) as "Hoom-ow-r", "Laab-ow-r", and/or of course, "Kal-ow-r"???
You see, the great and learned american, Mr. Noah Webster WAS right afterall, wasn't he?!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404 |
No wonder us South of the line get confused. Anybody speak Strine?
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48 |
Does ANYBODY who speaks this hodgepodge of the English language and in any of its permutations throughout this planet EVER pronounce the words "humor", "labor", "color"(and please excuse the "missing" U in those words there, if you would ) as "Hoom-ow-r", "Laab-ow-r", and/or of course, "Kal-ow-r"??? You see, the great and learned american, Mr. Noah Webster WAS right afterall, wasn't he?!
Jut a min, heer, Dwite. By yoor lojic, we shood be spellin
the werdz as hewmer, laber and culer, so I don't think the esteemed Mr. Webster had it exactly right either. Best we can say is that he simplified things. Alternatively, perhaps he was just a wee bit lazy. 
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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OP
Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
etymological studies
I don't think I want to know what that word means. Is it a variation of entymology? Insects, now there's a topic. Take for instance the UbiquitoUs "dung beetle", bizarre creatures who's sole purpose in life is rolling little turd balls around barren, desert landscapes. National Geographic developed a cottage industry & inspired countless 3rd grade boys filming dung beetles. 3rd grade girls then, as now, were less moved and simply rolled their eyes  .
I've always been fascinated by 1) The dung beetles' place in the greater web of life; 2) Junior Barne's cucumber field observations and 3) "Monte Python's Flying Circus" of course. It all culimated in purchasing a parallel twin TriUmph m/c in the Bicentennial year, 1976 
Didn't know what kinda' oil to use then either
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763 |
For any body to fully understand the glorious language that is English ...and not American I must hasten to add, you have to be aware of the subtle nuances and differences inflection can make within the English language. So as a brief explanation and for your delictation an old one but a good one.....enjoy.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz2-ukrd2VQ&feature=player_embedded
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Quote:
etymological studies
bizarre creatures who's sole purpose in life is rolling little turd balls around
Hmmmmmmmm...sounds like someone I know.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Still wonder about the English Language everytime I help my seven year old do her school work. Learning to read words phonetically and by using the "sight words" method can be challenging.
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
Does ANYBODY who speaks this hodgepodge of the English language and in any of its permutations throughout this planet EVER pronounce the words "humor", "labor", "color"(and please excuse the "missing" U in those words there, if you would ) as "Hoom-ow-r", "Laab-ow-r", and/or of course, "Kal-ow-r"???
You see, the great and learned american, Mr. Noah Webster WAS right afterall, wasn't he?!
Jut a min, heer, Dwite. By yoor lojic, we shood be spellin
the werdz as hewmer, laber and culer, so I don't think the esteemed Mr. Webster had it exactly right either. Best we can say is that he simplified things. Alternatively, perhaps he was just a wee bit lazy.
Well, I "gotta" say "u" make an "xcellent" point "thair", Peter ol' boy!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 819 |
Quote:
Jut a min, heer, Dwite. By yoor lojic, we shood be spellin the werdz as hewmer, laber and culer, so I don't think the esteemed Mr. Webster had it exactly right either. Best we can say is that he simplified things. Alternatively, perhaps he was just a wee bit lazy.
Dwight is Hooked on Phonics!
I would be unstoppable if not for law enforcement and physics.
2002, Cardinal Red & Silver
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
Jut a min, heer, Dwite. By yoor lojic, we shood be spellin the werdz as hewmer, laber and culer, so I don't think the esteemed Mr. Webster had it exactly right either. Best we can say is that he simplified things. Alternatively, perhaps he was just a wee bit lazy.
Dwight is Hooked on Phonics!
Ahem...xcooz me heer Sindee, but THAT wood b.."Dwite iz hookt on Foniks"..to u now!!! 
(I meen, git with tha program heer, will ya laydee?!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
In part because of the dissatisfaction with the misuse of the letter U, the alphabet is being updated and restyled. The Letter U is being replaced by  as illustrated below  You can read more about these exciting changes at http://www.theonion.com/content/news/alphabet_updated_with_15_exciting?utm_source=onion_rss_daily Dynamic, sleek, and even sexy is how a panel of typographic and marketing experts described the 15 new replacement letters they unveiled Monday in an effort to reinvigorate interest in the faltering English alphabet. "Forget everything you thought you knew about reading and writing," announced David Greenberg, 34, lead designer of the exciting ABC makeover. "These new letters are hip, fresh, and sure to forever change the way English speakers everywhere form their words."
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Re: The recurring "U" (got it)
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Hey, that's pretty cool there Bill... yeah I think I heard something about that at one time. I believe the initiative to standardize the English language evolved as a result of the failure of Esperanto.
Live to love, love to live.
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