European Union

[Legacy 21301]

You could also use as verb in this context.

Go ponsilize yourself.

No.

It should be ponsonalise.

 

[Legacy 21301]

And would "Ponsonby" be a reference to thyself or another? Since I know of no prominent figure with that name, ....

It is a reference to Percy Ponsonby :-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/p/percyponsonby_7775220.shtml

It is claimed in that link "And that was the end of Percy" (on about 3 September 1939).

This is inaccurate. As pointed out by NateO, PP has made posts to this board in the recent past.

With regard to your concern about whether "epitomic" was an acceptable word, it would not depend upon whether or not it appeared in a dictionary.
You appear to be overlooking the fact that English is a living language which is continually changing and to which new words are frequently added.
Readers of this thread may be interested to know that I have submitted the word "ponsonalise" to the compilers of the OED with a view to its inclusion in their next edition.

PS to Glaswegian
Thanks for correcting my poor Glaswegian accent, Jimmy.
You might enjoy this link (or perhaps you write it?) :-
http://www.firstfoot.com/PawBroon/pawbroon/december2002greatscots.htm

 

[Greg Truby]

"Take the bait... don't take the bait... take the bait... don't..." what the heck...

... it would not depend upon whether or not it appeared in a dictionary. You appear to be overlooking the fact that English is a living language which is continually changing and to which new words are frequently added...

So now we move into the debate on the function of language? Given this thread's genesis on how to morph English into German this seems apropos. So, are you in the camp that says "as long as [a reasonably accurate] meaning is transferred, language has served its purpose."? Myself, I suppose I'm a moderate. Yes, language is a living tool which evolves. Thank the heavens we don't have some "academy" trying to "preserve the purity" of English from "foreign invasions" (or perhaps we should simply thank ourselves for not putting up with that particular nonsense). English is a bit like America itself in that sense; a melting pot where we'll gladly take words from French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese or Native American tongues and weave them into the fabric of our daily discourse. But I do think we need some type of rule book; some standard to which we can turn. Otherwise we end up teaching ebonics in our schools and trying to play a nice game of Scrabble becomes quite hopeless (but then "Ponsonalise" has too many letters to get used in Scrabble, so maybe we're all okay to embrace this particular new word until OED gets back to you).

And I'd love to see how you reconcile the apparent dichotomy of saying that a word needn't appear in a dictionary to be considered a valid part of the language and then in the next sentence admitting to seeking the approval of the very institution eschewed in the previous sentence.

 

[Legacy 21301]

And I'd love to see how you reconcile the apparent dichotomy of saying that a word needn't appear in a dictionary to be considered a valid part of the language and then in the next sentence admitting to seeking the approval of the very institution eschewed in the previous sentence.

There's nothing to reconcile.

All new words become a part of the English language before receiving recognition by the OED.

The OED merely includes words that have already gained acceptance by users of English.

It never works the other way - that is, the compilers of the OED don't create new words.

Regarding "preserving the purity" of English, I see nothing wrong with attempting to preserve basic grammar and punctuation in written English.
This can only improve communication, which is the whole pupose of language.
It seems to me that there is insufficient emphasis being placed on this by schools in the UK and in the USA.

Ponsonalise could occur in Scrabble.
If there happened to be a "P" followed by two vacant squares and then the word "SON", the letters ONALISE could be added (for a 50 point bonus).

 

[Greg Truby]

Well, I'll not be challenging you to a Scrabble match any time soon! And in that case, can you ask OED to include an alternate spelling ending in "-ize"? Just in case we happen to get the fortuitous "P__SON" and we have a "Z" in our tray, so's we can get more points. :wink:

 

[Legacy 21301]

Well, I'll not be challenging you to a Scrabble match any time soon! And in that case, can you ask OED to include an alternate spelling ending in "-ize"? Just in case we happen to get the fortuitous "P__SON" and we have a "Z" in our tray, so's we can get more points. :wink:

Certainly not!

Endings with "-ise" only please.

 

[Legacy 21301]

Here's an example of abusing the English language that is completely unnecessary and does nothing towards promoting clear communication :-

http://www.mrexcel.com/board2/viewtopic.php?t=105623

The writer, of course, is entitled to mangle written English in any way he/she sees fit. But on the other hand, I think I am entitled to express indignation about such drivel.

If the writer were to write in French in a similar manner, he/she would probably be guillotined - and rightly so.

 

[Felix Atagong]

Here's an example of abusing the English language that is completely unnecessary and does nothing towards promoting clear communication.

What happened to netiquette?
http://www.use-net.ch/netiquette_engl.html#spelling
Oh yeah, I understand it now, this is the new Lounge.

 

[Legacy 21301]

Here's an example of abusing the English language that is completely unnecessary and does nothing towards promoting clear communication.

What happened to netiquette?
http://www.use-net.ch/netiquette_engl.html#spelling
Oh yeah, I understand it now, this is the new Lounge.

"What happened to netiquette?"

I don't understand what your comment is intended to convey.

Presumably you feel that my post has fallen short of a defined standard of etiquette in some way.

Please explain further.

 

[Glaswegian]

Ponsy

In the interests of promoting and expanding language, here's some Glaswegian - let me know if you want the English translation.

PARLIAMO GLASGOW

Geeza punna burra furra murra,
Geez baura choclit furra wean,
Seeza tenna fags, huv yezonni tottie bags,
Tae pit ratotties in till agit hame
Pirrit oanaslate, ahl pye ye zeftar
Azzawa tae seera panti mime,
Anif yuzkin say ramorra
Orrabest an itznae borra
Yezkin parliamo Glasgow orratime!

This was written by Stanley Baxter for one of his pantomime performances.