JillUser JillUser

Do you know the meaning of the terms you use?

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Do you know the meaning of the terms you use?

from JoeUser Forums

My husband and I were discussing the meaning of the term "tool" as in "you're being a real tool".  I wonder how many people say stuff like that without knowing what the original meaning of the term is.  Have you ever said something and then wondered what it was truly supposed to mean?

We use all sorts of abbreviations all the time too.  I wonder how many people know what RSVP means (probably only those who know French).  Everyone uses it and knows that it is asking for a response but what do the letters stand for? (that's rhetorical since I know the answer).  I bet most don't even spare a thought on the matter.  It's just accepted.

I recently started getting email from a cousin who signs off LOL.  She means Lots of Love.  I automatically think Laugh out Loud which makes no sense in her context.

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12,120 views 37 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top

I used to say friggin or freakin all the friggin time.  Then someone told me what and where they came from. 

 

I was a little red!

 

Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top

I often wonder if people know what PC (personal computer) means. Those Mac commercial could be a bit confusing, I mean isn't a Mac a computer after all and isn't it also personal so would that make it a PC as well? Or am I getting confused here?
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Thank IBM for that.  They tried to trademark the term, so Apple happily went along.

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Reply #28 from Stardock Forums Top

How many people know that when you call someone your hero your calling them your demigod?

Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting chadwbaker, reply 3
How many people know that when you call someone your hero your calling them your demigod?
End of chadwbaker's quote

 

Only if you speak Greek :LOL:

Reply #30 from Stardock Forums Top

One of the few spelling mistakes I hate to make is using your instead you are! lol

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top

One of the few spelling mistakes I hate to make is using your instead you are! lol
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Really?  Like you did here?

How many people know that when you call someone your hero your calling them your demigod?
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Reply #32 from Stardock Forums Top

exactly... lol didn't get that I was pointing it out eh?

Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm constantly annoying my wife looking up words I don't know and also using extra-ordinarily specific words opposed to general.

Reply #34 from JoeUser Forums Top

 I heard a new one on me the other day: I slipped and fell ass over teakettle.

I'm still tryin' to figger that one out... :P

Reply #35 from Stardock Forums Top

I slipped and fell ass over teakettle
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My grandma always uses that.  I think maybe it could be Irish in nature.  My grandma drinks tea a lot and back before microwaves people boiled their water in tea kettles so I think it means you were carrying a tea kettle and flipped bottom up when you fell.  That is one I've used and never thought about until now. 

My grandma always said fist-to-cuffs instead of boxing or fighting too.  I think that is an Irish saying also.

Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top

Interesting thread, Jill.  I'm def. guilty of this.

 

My grandma always said fist-to-cuffs instead of boxing or fighting too. I think that is an Irish saying also.
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Are you sure she wasn't saying "fisticuffs"?  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fisticuffs

Reply #37 from Stardock Forums Top

Are you sure she wasn't saying "fisticuffs"?
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Yep, that's what she was saying.  I didn't know it was an actual word.  I just wrote what it sounded like.  I obviously knew what it meant though.  I still don't know the origin though.  Couldn't tell by that definition and it didn't lead to any further info.