[Multilingual Monday] Precious yet so off the mark

[aadroma]

So I've been studying for the JLPT, the Japanese Language Placement Test, on and off for a bit now. I came to realize, once I was in Japan, that there was a huge gap in my knowledge of the language (which haoppens when, you know, you're always translating porn). So I do frequent vocab quizzes to shrink my lack of knowledge. I've been happy to

Comments

[bitterlawngnome]

"fuck" has got to be the all-time winner, followed by "shit".

[sig_info]

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:Contranyms

[robearal]

Let

The original, now obsolete meaning is to prohibit.

[progbear]

It reminds me of the British English use of the term “public school,” referring to an exclusive private school. The usage still baffles me.

[muckefuck]

It makes sense when you recall that when the most prestigious "public schools" were founded, secondary education outside the home was newish thing. Children from the best families had private tutors whereas hoi polloi received no formal secondary education of any sort. With the advent of universal public education, the institutions created to provide it were called "state schools", so there was never any need to retire the old terminology.

[bloody___riot]

I know ALL about that. Morrigan from Vampire (Darkstalkers) say it when she does her Dark Illusion super and every time I set up a sick combo I say :D