A Language Question For The Linguists

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101Walterton
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A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by 101Walterton »

I dont know if it is just an Australasian thing however all of the kids of my children's age use the word "verse" to mean play against (in a sporting capacity). I understand it to originate from the legal term Versus as in "The Crown versus Smith" which is its only correct usage ? although I have read that the kids may have picked it up from video games shortening this to 'Vs'.
If all of the kids are using it this way to talk about sport i.e. "who are we versing today", "who did you verse yesterday", "we versed them last week", at which point does it become correct usage.
I actually think that it sounds better to say "who are you versing" than "who are you playing against" but it does sound bad when an adult says it.

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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Dr. Medulla »

Oy—sounds awful. And hopefully is contained by the waters that surround you.
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by eumaas »

Well, it's already correct usage from a linguistic standpoint. From a grammarian view, it'll be incorrect until acknowledged by recognized authorities.
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brink
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by brink »

i don't know if this adds (or subtracts) any legitimacy, but my kids here in the midwest say the same thing. and it bugs me. oh, does it bug me.

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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Dr. Medulla »

I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
"I never doubted myself for a minute for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength, like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo dung." - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft

Mimi
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Mimi »

Dr. Medulla wrote:I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.

101Walterton
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by 101Walterton »

Mimi wrote:
Dr. Medulla wrote:I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.
I blame video games :shifty:

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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Mimi »

101Walterton wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dr. Medulla wrote:I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.
I blame video games :shifty:
Let's blame the White Album.

No, wait, George Bush; let's blame him. :shifty:

Wolter
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Wolter »

Mimi wrote:
101Walterton wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dr. Medulla wrote:I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.
I blame video games :shifty:
Let's blame the White Album.

No, wait, George Bush; let's blame him. :shifty:
Is it too late to blame Hitler?
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Mimi
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Mimi »

Wolter wrote:
Mimi wrote:
101Walterton wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dr. Medulla wrote:I … I thought the oceans would protect us … :cry:
International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.
I blame video games :shifty:
Let's blame the White Album.

No, wait, George Bush; let's blame him. :shifty:
Is it too late to blame Hitler?
Never too late for that.

Wolter
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Wolter »

Mimi wrote:
Wolter wrote:
Mimi wrote:
101Walterton wrote:
Mimi wrote: International travel will be the ruination of all civilization.
I blame video games :shifty:
Let's blame the White Album.

No, wait, George Bush; let's blame him. :shifty:
Is it too late to blame Hitler?
Never too late for that.
[Begins cracking his punching knuckles.]
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson

"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"

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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Flex »

Cunning Linguists.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead

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Wolter
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Wolter »

Flex wrote:Cunning Linguists.
I'm surprised it took more than 3 responses to get to that.


Good job, IMCT.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson

"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"

Mimi
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Mimi »

Wolter wrote:
Flex wrote:Cunning Linguists.
I'm surprised it took more than 3 responses to get to that.


Good job, IMCT.

Maybe because you guys are no longer teenage boys. :shifty:

Wolter
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Re: A Language Question For The Linguists

Post by Wolter »

Mimi wrote:
Wolter wrote:
Flex wrote:Cunning Linguists.
I'm surprised it took more than 3 responses to get to that.


Good job, IMCT.

Maybe because you guys are no longer teenage boys. :shifty:
GIve me a few drinks...
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson

"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"

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