Language shock

Well it had to happen sooner or later. Friday was the first day I unexpectedly heard someone speaking Finnish. The feeling is really weird, a bit like being suddenly woken up in the middle of a dream. And it’s not that I wouldn’t hear Finnish spoken daily, cos I do (Sonja’s here as well, remember). It takes a minute to recognize the language but you can’t help noticing. I guess it’s caused by the same part of the brain that’s responsible for the cocktail party phenomenon, cos it only works with my native language. Not once have I felt surprised hearing someone speak English or whatever in Finland but this way round it’s a real shock.

Word 29: Surreptitious

Virtually all the unions were opposed, too, some openly, others in surreptitious ways, knowing their position was morally untenable.

surreptitious (adj) 1: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed; [syn: furtive, lurking, skulking, sneak(a), sneaky, stealthy] 2: conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods – source: Hard Work p. 232

More chances to bribe me

If money is really burning in your pockets, take a look at my gift list at Anttila. Should you want to spread the link (what a great idea!), it might be easier to use the following link: http://makeashorterlink.com/?D1A422F34 .

Cheater SMS

Got a really reliable-looking SMS the other day. ”Congrats! The Nokia 7650 camera phone is yours CALL [blabla] 150ppm Ave call 3 mins Mob calls vary 16+” and so on. Wonder if it’s a scam?

Studies really really over now

I just turned in the last two essays, a mere week late. The reception was better than I’d hoped for! So now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed and indulging myself in some serious slacking.

Mullet fun

Sometimes not knowing what a word means is much more fun. Take for example the following sentence:

Depending on your acceptance of the term, you might also include such giveaways as the parson’s nose on a chicken or the gelatinous liver inside a red mullet.

Blimey! Sounds delicious.

For the benefit of those who still don’t get it: mullet is a fish, too.

Word 28: Sine qua non

Artists and labels put out records whenever they felt like it, and hit singles – the sine qua non of album success today – were optional.

sine qua non (n) : a prerequisite [syn: essential condition] – source: The Sunday Times Magazine Feb 16, 2003, p. 28

Mitä mieltä olin asioista vuonna 2003

Digs

Internet (riippuvainen, ilmeisesti. Ei naurun asia, pikemminkin ikuisen hammastenkiristelyn), kissa-eliö, musiikki ja lieveilmiöt, populaarikulttuuri, vimpaimet, nörtit ja vermeet, multimedia ja – sanoinko jo? – Internet. Tietokoneet, säätäminen ja vempulointi. Älypäät, Monty Python, Alivaltiosihteeri, Pahkasika. Matt Groeningin Elämä on helvettiä. Sarjakuvat. Populaarikulttuuri? Hienovarainen tai roisi huumori. Tuotetun kuuloinen popmusiikki, Flood (Depeche Mode, U2, Smashing Pumpkins ja niin poispäite). Kitarat, sekvensserit ja syntetisaattorit. The English language, mais aussi la francaise.

Ei digs

Suklaa, koiramolekyylit, Hammurabin laki, kissat jotka syö spagettia ihmisten astioista salaa yöllä ja ulostaa löysästi päivällä, listat kotskabortaaleissa, tietokoneet jotka toimii huonosti, integraatio, lappeen Ranta, OMO-rekka. Tuottamattoman kuuloinen musiikki. Väkivaltaiset asiat & ihmiset, fundamentalismi. Itseironian puute.

Word 7: Itinerant

Itinerant fruit-pickers from the north, hippies and many a war veteran – of Korea, Vietnam, even the Second World War – all of whom were attracted by the free parking and the clement winters.

itinerant (adj) : Passing or traveling about a country; going or preaching on a circuit; wandering; not settled; as, an itinerant preacher; an itinerant peddler – source: Observer Magazine 23.3.2003, p. 25

Word 27: Supererogotary

For our purposes, the earthquake of 1971 was supererogotary, unnecessary, gilding the lily, as Hollywood has always been wont to die.

supererogatory (adj) : more than is needed, desired, or required – source: Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, p. 14

A Heartbreaking ∞ of Staggering Genius

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