The Mother Tounge by Bill Bryson which I started last night & am LOVING, I adore the way Bill Bryson writes - he could write about atoms & things & be interesting... oh... that's right, he has...
I'm not very far in, having only finished Eats, Shoots and Leaves last night (I *coughs* kept falling asleep, but it WAS interesting...) but already I have come across grand gems that I wish I had the memory power to retain, and dinner party guests to entertain. Such things as (on the first page no less);
"...this warning to motorists in Tokoyo: 'When a passenger of the foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet at him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage, then tootle him with vigor.' ...it would appear that one of the beauties of the English language is that with even the most tenuous grasp you can speak volumes if you show enough enthusiasm - a willingness to tootle with vigor, as it were."
or, did you know;
"...The French, for instance, cannot distinguish between house and home, between mind and brain, between man and gentleman, between 'I wrote' and 'I have written.' The Spanish cannot differentiate a chairman from a president, and the Italians have no equivalent of wishful thinking. In Russia there are no native words for efficiency, challenge, engagement ring, have fun, or take care.... [yet] ...French and German can distinguish between knowledge that results from recognition (respectively connaitre and kennen) and knowledge that results from understanding (savoir and wissen). ...the Gaelic speakers of Scotland, not to be outdone, have a word for the itchiness that overcomes the upper lip just before taking a sip of whisky. ...we have nothingin English to match the Danish hygge (meaning 'instantly satisfying and cozy')..."
Ah... I find that all extremely interesting, especially 'hygge' - what a great word!
...and the latest Inside Out mag (which comes with a spiffing tea-towel, so it's a must-buy, really). Inside Out is my new favourite magazine, buying two whole issues in a row says so. There was a home last issue I fell in love with & another this issue (if you buy it I bet you can guess which one), there are pages & pages & pages of beautiful inspiration & it almost takes my breath away. I am beyond over Better Homes & Gardens, although I doubt I'll pass up 50 cent copies at the oppy, but they seem to rehash the same things after a while & it's not as visually appealing or stimulating as Inside Out, I think.
What are you reading right now?
I've just read the most fascinating missive over in Pony Girl's room. Now, I'm just about to dig in to a most titillating title, "the best way to remove permanent marker from walls".
ReplyDeletemy word verification is "saterize"
I also read way too much into WV for my own good.
the latest Inside Out magazine is divine, definitely worth a read and a re-read and a re-read. {though checking it out for the house you like!}
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