We freely use terms in the English language (and not only in English) where we consistently say one thing that actually means something else. Obviously we all know what is meant, but why can we just say it like it is?
GARAGE SALES. Have you ever found that to be true? Shouldn't it be: WE-HAVE-A-BUNCH-OF-OLD-CRAP-WE-WANT-TO-UNLOAD-ON-YOU SALES?
WINDOW SHOPPING. I-REALLY-DON'T-KNOW-WHAT-I-WANT-TO-BUY-BUT-I'M-IN-DIRE-NEED-OF-SPENDING-MONEY SHOPPING?
WHAT THE LABEL SAYS. "According to the Surgeon General women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy". What the label should say is: "According to common sense, men and women should not drink alcohol before pregnancy"
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH. Up to this point I have been lying.
SHOP-LIFTING. You have to be really strong to do that, huh? And get away with it...
RESTROOM. We all know what's going on in there, and resting is not one of them.
CIVIL WAR. You tell me the civility of war - or did I get that wrong somewhere?
FINE (as in: traffic violation). I don't know about you, but "fine" is not what comes to mind with a $271 ticket in hand. How about: "not so fine"?
You get the idea, so by paying more attention to what we say, you'll see the silliness with respect to some of the stuff we unconsciously blurt out. But it's not only in English. Let's take Danish and my favorite word GIFT. So it means "present" in English, but in Danish it means "married"; the interesting thing is that it also means "poison" - on purpose?
Well, just something to take with you and have a great week, (and that's actually what it means).
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