4 ms·
This quote by John Nicoll is very poignant: “The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whor
by RcouF1uZ4gsC 2y ago
This quote by John Nicoll is very poignant:
“The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.”
― James D. Nicoll
- ndsipa_pomu 2y agoI love that quote and the imagery it invokes. I think it's funny because it feels true - English speakers aren't precious about roping in new words from other languages. I enjoy the concept of the hybrid word - a word made from a mix of languages (e.g. neuroscience, Minneapolis, cryptocurrency etc). "Eigenvalue" is a good one as it's a mix of German and French.