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Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20827 09/26/03 03:05 AM
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Craig was complaining about being "bored" with no posts to read. Well, here is something:

'Eh?'. Rhymes with hay. The great Canajan monosyllable and shibboleth, 'eh?' is all things to all men. Other nations may boast their interjections and interrogative expletives - such as the Mare Can 'huh?', the Briddish 'what?', the French 'hein?' - but none of them can claim the range and scope of meaning that are encompassed by the simple Canajan 'eh?'. Interrogation, assertion, surprise, bewilderment, disbelief, contempt - these are only the beginning of 'eh?' and already we have passed beyond the limitations of 'huh?', 'what?', 'hein?' and their pallid analogues.

To begin with, 'eh?' is an indicator, sure and infallible, that one is in the presence of an authentic Canajan speaker. Although 'eh?' may be met with in Briddish and Mare Can litter choor, no one else in the world can 'eh?' his way through life as a Canajan does, nor half as comfortably.

Viewed syntactically, 'eh?' may appear solo or as part of a set of words, in which case it may occupy either terminal, medial, or initial position. We shall consider these briefly.

Its commonest solo use is as a simple interrogative calling for the repetition of something either not heard because inaudible or, if heard, then not clearly understood. In this context 'eh?' equals 'What did you say?', 'How's that?' Or in Canajan, 'Wadja say?', 'Howzat?'

According to intonation, the meaning of solo 'eh?' may vary all the way from inquiry (as we have seen) through doubt to incredulity. Here are a few examples:

'I'm giving up smoking.'
'Eh?' (A cross between what? and oh yeah?)

'Could you loan me two bucks?'
'Eh?' (Are you kidding?)

'Here's the two bucks I owe you.'
'Eh?' (I don't believe it!)

'Eh?' in terminal position offers a running commentary on the speaker's narrative, not unlike vocal footnotes:

'I'm walking down the street, eh?' (Like this, see?)

'I'd hadda few beer en I was feeling priddy good, eh?' (You know how it is.)

'When all of a sudden I saw this big guy, eh?' (Ya see.)

'I could see him from a long ways off en he was a real big guy, eh?' (I'm not fooling.)

'I'm minding my own business, eh?' (You can bet I was.)

'But this guy was taking up the whole sidewalk, eh?' (Like I mean he really was)

'So when he came up to me I jess stepped inta the gudder, eh?' (I'm not crazy, ya know)

'En he went on by, eh?' (Just like that.)

'I gave up, eh?' (What else could I do?)

'Whattud you a done, eh?' (I'd like to know since you're so smart.)

Forners are warned to observe extreme caution with 'eh?' since nothing will give them away more quickly than its indiscriminate use. Like the pronunciation of Skatchwan (only much more so), it is a badge of Canajanism which requires half a lifetime to learn to use with the proper panache.



Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20828 09/26/03 03:17 AM
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buff
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Reminds me of how our northern brothers and sisters arrived at a name for their country: It had to be short and easy to say...it was decided that there would be 3 letters in the name. But, which 3? To be fair they put 26 letters into a hat and drew the first letter. Everyone was waiting with great anticipation...C,eh...

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20829 09/26/03 05:05 AM
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Excellent post. But "eh" has got nothing on the work "f*ck" for utility.

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20830 09/26/03 12:27 PM
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that's kinda like the massachusetts expression "pissa". it translates to:
oh sh*t
that's fantastic
that's awful
what a dope
great let's go, etc.
can be used as a noun, adjective, or an adverb, rather versitle little expression i might add.
another mass. term we use for a liquor store is "packie", short for package store.

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20831 09/26/03 01:22 PM
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Disclaimer - R Rated, (I don't usually pass this kind of stuff on, but this one's too good to resist)

In case anyone didn't know the humble beginnings of the "S" word, here's the little story.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by-product is methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term "S.H.*.T," which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.



"Chickens don't clap."
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20832 09/26/03 02:33 PM
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isn't this board a wealth of knowledge

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20833 09/26/03 03:50 PM
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you learn something new everyday (most of it damn useless too)!


"Chickens don't clap."
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20834 09/26/03 03:53 PM
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Posts: 5,236
axiomite
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I LOVE useless knowledge. The more the better - keep it coming!

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20835 09/26/03 04:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
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T
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Shawn, Bravo!!


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20836 09/27/03 02:00 AM
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In Untario we refer to the liquor store as the Elsie B.O. (LCBO - Liquor Control Board of Ontario)

Other things uniquely "Canajan":

The Enay Chell - Our Nash Null Hockey League.
The Arsey Em Pee - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Gradge - A building for storing or repairing automobiles.

You had to get me started......... Do we really sound like this?

The Grake Up - Our Championship football game.
The Grodge - See Gradge.
Klomidder - A thousand meders.
Kwee Beck - A Canajan province. Rarely Kuh Beck.
Oddawa - The cabbidal siddy of Canada.
Oh Peepee - The Untario per vinshull pleece.

Please kill me now..........



Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20837 09/27/03 03:22 AM
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Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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You down wit' Oh Peepee?
Yeah you know me!

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20838 09/27/03 06:42 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
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HAHAHAH - I had to read that twice to catch the meaning... my first pass was one of confusion

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20839 09/27/03 11:30 AM
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Oh, boy - here we go with the lost 80's lyrics. Although technically, the song Peter was refering to is from '91. (And has nothing to do with the "O.P.P." I was talking about)





Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20840 09/27/03 11:31 AM
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well, being saturday, time to go to the bank, collect empties and hit the packie for refills, harpoon, buckler, to keep the wife happy, and some cabernet for her. i'll need to keep my eyes peeled for the fuzz (police), another term for cops.
dan

Re: Way, Way, Way off topic (and long)
#20841 09/27/03 11:55 AM
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Ah, yes. The Saturday ritual. Around here, the "two-four" run is usually done after work on Friday. And sometimes it is a "two-two-four" run. Really, the only outlet to buy beer is at "The Beer Store". (which used to be called "Brewers Retail")

When entering "The Beer Store", there is a certain electricity in the air. Excitement abounds and you know you are somewhere special. Everyone is smiling and willing to give a helping hand. Next to Disney, it is the most magical place on earth.

"It would be difficult to find a larger selection of beer anywhere in the world than at The Beer Store. Currently, The Beer Store offers more than 300 brands from over 70 brewers from around the world - and the selection continues to grow. Global brands share shelf space with Canada's best-selling labels and craft brewers alike."

Here is the link:
http://www.thebeerstore.ca/


Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
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