I like wordnik much better: autocomplete, better definitions and good examples. The statistics are kind of interesting too. It even kept all the previous comments. :)
@c_b: That's the best explanation I've heard. Most people just say "that's the way it was done back then." It seems strange. However, if it was done as a mnemonic device and a sort of shorthand, that makes a lot more sense. I'll feel a lot better reading it when I know there is a method to the madness.
@rolig: The difference is that rappers aren't trying to fit a widely accepted set of rules. If you look at just the rapper's lyrics without having heard it before, it would look horrible. (Half the time I don't even want to know what they are saying.) You might have no way of knowing how to read it. It was not meant to be read. A song that lasts two minutes is a bit different then a 200 page poem. You could say that Byron or Shakespeare should be seen instead of read to be fully understood. That makes sense. I've seen a couple. I don't see any stage notes in Byron's Don Juan though. Was it meant to be a play?
@madmouth: Do they spell it f're or fi'e and do it to force their sentences into iambic meter? If so, then yes. :) If the rules are so simple, why do they need to massacre the words? :)
@rolig: The style doesn't prevent me from enjoying the other parts of the poetry. I just thought it was funny that the manipulation was so blatant without seeming to sound or appear any better for it. I'm more a fan of 1800-1900's style of writing. I just picked up Byron because Shaw, Chesterton and Fitzgerald seem to keep mentioning him and I was curious. I might not have stumbled upon his good stuff yet or just expect him to be more "poetic" with flowery words.
I was thinking that it might make it easier to read giving it some sort of rhythmic pace. But to make the rules so complex that they were forced to circumvent them by making square pegs fit in the round holes seems lame. Maybe they thought it made it even harder to understand enabling them to pretty much say whatever they wanted? Or maybe I just expect too much from them given all their hype.
I just happened to be reading Byron at the moment which was littered with all these weird contractions and realized this was the reason we have so many in our language and also why I hate Shakespeare. It seems like a cop out. What is the motivation for even using iambic pentameter? The v seems like it would be a key component. Why not have it be ev'?
Groucho: "That's in every contract, that's what you call a sanity clause." Chico: "You can't a fool a me there ain't no Santy Claus"
Minister: "We need to take up the tax" Groucho: "I'd like to take up the carpet." Minister: "I still insist we take up the tax." Groucho: "He's right - you've gotta take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet."
"Do you rumba?" "Why, yes!" "Well, pick a rumba between one and ten." - Not sure if it counts if you misunderstand yourself. :)
Chico: "Who are you?" Groucho: "Im fine, thanks. Who are you?"
Ice Water? Get some Onions - that'll make your eyes water!
Being common is a little different then being highly polysemous. For the list I'm using weirdnets definitions, so it's going to be a little off but still somewhat relevant.
Is it an adjective? It seems more popular as an adjective in use but the dictionaries only seem to have it as a verb. I guess they are more keen on mesmeric. In England, they probably use mesmerising. :)
"Watch for a white Challenger, license plates initial OA-5599. Colorado plates. Last seen heading for Dunphy on US 40 at cruising speed. We have reason to believe that it's supercharged, so maintain double alert 'til you spot it, and then call in for instructions."
How to create a wordie search: Create a file called wordie.xml and put it here (stick this in your run command in the start menu and it will bring up your appdata folder): %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\wyzwjx2f.default\searchplugins
In the xml file, put the following. Restart firefox.
myth commented on the word bugs
bug, bad db entry? http://www.wordnik.com/words/hubble-expansion
Jan 20, 2010
myth commented on the word I miss wordie
I like wordnik much better: autocomplete, better definitions and good examples. The statistics are kind of interesting too. It even kept all the previous comments. :)
Jan 3, 2010
myth commented on the word license
P: "But you don't have a license"
SB: "You don't need a license to drive a sandwich!"
Jul 19, 2009
myth commented on the word chanticleer
Day rattles, too,
Stealth's slow;
The sun has got as far
As the third sycamore.
Screams chanticleer.
"Who's there?" - Emily Dickinson
Jun 28, 2009
myth commented on the word chanticleer
A rooster
Jun 28, 2009
myth commented on the word flies
Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana. - G.Marx
Listed under the clock in studio 60
May 25, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
Would you recommend any good audio books or youtube links? Do you prefer the iambs aggressively stressed and unstressed or read more naturally?
I like this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4KYpisw560&feature=related
however most end up sounding like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr_UN_7pkhU&feature=related
May 23, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
@c_b: That's the best explanation I've heard. Most people just say "that's the way it was done back then." It seems strange. However, if it was done as a mnemonic device and a sort of shorthand, that makes a lot more sense. I'll feel a lot better reading it when I know there is a method to the madness.
@rolig: The difference is that rappers aren't trying to fit a widely accepted set of rules. If you look at just the rapper's lyrics without having heard it before, it would look horrible. (Half the time I don't even want to know what they are saying.) You might have no way of knowing how to read it. It was not meant to be read. A song that lasts two minutes is a bit different then a 200 page poem. You could say that Byron or Shakespeare should be seen instead of read to be fully understood. That makes sense. I've seen a couple. I don't see any stage notes in Byron's Don Juan though. Was it meant to be a play?
May 19, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
@madmouth: Do they spell it f're or fi'e and do it to force their sentences into iambic meter? If so, then yes. :) If the rules are so simple, why do they need to massacre the words? :)
@rolig: The style doesn't prevent me from enjoying the other parts of the poetry. I just thought it was funny that the manipulation was so blatant without seeming to sound or appear any better for it. I'm more a fan of 1800-1900's style of writing. I just picked up Byron because Shaw, Chesterton and Fitzgerald seem to keep mentioning him and I was curious. I might not have stumbled upon his good stuff yet or just expect him to be more "poetic" with flowery words.
May 18, 2009
myth commented on the word oxford comma
I usually leave it out. If you use the serial comma, do you also use a comma with too?
I like apples and oranges too.
or
I like apples and oranges, too.
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
I was thinking that it might make it easier to read giving it some sort of rhythmic pace. But to make the rules so complex that they were forced to circumvent them by making square pegs fit in the round holes seems lame. Maybe they thought it made it even harder to understand enabling them to pretty much say whatever they wanted? Or maybe I just expect too much from them given all their hype.
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word unquotidian
uncommon - see quotidian
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
I just happened to be reading Byron at the moment which was littered with all these weird contractions and realized this was the reason we have so many in our language and also why I hate Shakespeare. It seems like a cop out. What is the motivation for even using iambic pentameter?
The v seems like it would be a key component. Why not have it be ev'?
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the list words-with-more-than-60-definitions
I'd be interested in a graph.
In the mean time, some polysemous Marx jokes to entertain:
Groucho: How would you like a job at the mint?
Chico: Mint? I don't like mint. What other flavors you got?
I've got a good mind to go out and join a club and beat you over the head with it.
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word mondegreen
Cue the Groucho Marx jokes:
Groucho: "That's in every contract, that's what you call a sanity clause."
Chico: "You can't a fool a me there ain't no Santy Claus"
Minister: "We need to take up the tax"
Groucho: "I'd like to take up the carpet."
Minister: "I still insist we take up the tax."
Groucho: "He's right - you've gotta take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet."
"Do you rumba?"
"Why, yes!"
"Well, pick a rumba between one and ten."
- Not sure if it counts if you misunderstand yourself. :)
Chico: "Who are you?"
Groucho: "Im fine, thanks. Who are you?"
Ice Water? Get some Onions - that'll make your eyes water!
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word set
I see the table is set for four.
Why that's nothing my alarm clock is set for eight. - G Marx
May 17, 2009
myth commented on the word e'er
The "poetic" version of ever.
I think this was done to reduce the amount of syllables for iambic pentameter. Byron's such a big fat cheater!
May 16, 2009
myth commented on the list words-with-more-than-60-definitions
Being common is a little different then being highly polysemous. For the list I'm using weirdnets definitions, so it's going to be a little off but still somewhat relevant.
May 14, 2009
myth commented on the word mesmerizing
Is it an adjective? It seems more popular as an adjective in use but the dictionaries only seem to have it as a verb. I guess they are more keen on mesmeric. In England, they probably use mesmerising. :)
May 13, 2009
myth commented on the word drunk
you're as drunk as an owl! - the man who was thursday
Though weird as it is. You can also be as drunk as a boiled owl and lots more.
May 10, 2009
myth commented on the word dang nabbit
Apparently it can also be dawg nabbit:
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/southernese.html
May 5, 2009
myth commented on the word money pit
This is, unfortunately, not a pit filled with money.
May 4, 2009
myth commented on the word thursday
The leader of an anarchist group.
May 4, 2009
myth commented on the word dang nabbit
A curse used mostly in cartoons
May 4, 2009
myth commented on the word gosh darn it
A curse used mostly in cartoons
May 4, 2009
myth commented on the word supercharged
"Watch for a white Challenger, license plates initial OA-5599. Colorado plates. Last seen heading for Dunphy on US 40 at cruising speed. We have reason to believe that it's supercharged, so maintain double alert 'til you spot it, and then call in for instructions."
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the list etymological-curiosities
Is this a list of homonyms or something more specific?
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the word scrapple
everything but the oink
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the list words-with-more-than-60-definitions
Set has 87, not bad! I like the term polysemy.
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the word frank
Can I be frank?
Is that your name?
No, my name’s Godfrey.
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the word cotton pickin'
Wait a cotton pickin' minute!
Are you out of your cotton pickin' mind?
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the word light
At 114 definitions, it goes to the top of the list
May 3, 2009
myth commented on the word moses
Moses supposes his toses are roses
May 2, 2009
myth commented on the word well, cut off my legs and call me shorty
The Thin Man Goes Home
Apr 24, 2009
myth commented on the word porphyrous
wow, it's like wordie for colors.
Apr 22, 2009
myth commented on the word features
FYI - I've put instructions to make a wordie firefox search engine here: http://wordie.org/words/firefox
Apr 22, 2009
myth commented on the word firefox
I also recommend this add-on which is one of my favorites:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/240
Apr 22, 2009
myth commented on the word firefox
How to create a wordie search:
Create a file called wordie.xml and put it here (stick this in your run command in the start menu and it will bring up your appdata folder): %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\wyzwjx2f.default\searchplugins
In the xml file, put the following. Restart firefox.
<SearchPlugin xmlns="http://www.mozilla.org/2006/browser/search/" xmlns:os=";
<os:ShortName>Wordie</os:ShortName>
<os:Description>Wordie</os:Description>
<os:InputEncoding>UTF-8</os:InputEncoding>
<os:Image width="16" height="16">data:image/x-icon;base64,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</os:Image>
<UpdateInterval>7</UpdateInterval><os:Url type="text/html" method="GET" template="http://wordie.org/words/searchTerms">
</os:Url>
</SearchPlugin>
Apr 22, 2009
myth commented on the word death
In Peer Gynt, Death is known as the Button-Moulder. God commands him to melt Peer down to a button.
Apr 20, 2009
myth commented on the word vacuity
Desolate, Kelly Clarkson would mire in the vacuity of life
Apr 18, 2009
myth commented on the word disheartened
Kanye, despite being disheartened, is still having a good morning
Apr 18, 2009
myth commented on the word chauffeur
Rihanna prefers a tacit chauffeur
Apr 18, 2009
myth commented on the word sovereign
Matisyahu's sovereign has misplaced his headpiece
Apr 18, 2009
myth commented on the word ribbon
tear you to ribbons
Apr 16, 2009
myth commented on the word curtains
It's curtains for you! Curtains!
Apr 16, 2009
myth commented on the word beset
Soon a big hornets' nest fell out of the tree, and Roland was 'lavishly decorated' by hundreds of stinging hornets.
Apr 16, 2009
myth commented on the word pratfall
Adding to who knew
Apr 12, 2009
myth commented on the word lapidescent
Medusa was lapidescent
Apr 1, 2009
myth commented on the word burdalane
Also burd-alone or burd-alane
Apr 1, 2009
myth commented on the word resume
It's interesting that the noun of this is resumption.
Mar 31, 2009