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Blessed be those who didn't have to go through the trouble of learning the English language. Some might say that learning Japanese or Icelandic might be the most difficult task out there, but even the most complicated aspects of those languages have some kind of logic behind them. English grammar and the language itself, on the other hand, has some truly nonsensical characteristics to it and a plethora of arbitrary rules.

Those with English as their native language never have to consciously work through the kinks of spelling out Wednesday or why writers write, but fingers don't fing and grocers don't groce. Learning English as a secondary language is a real minefield once you figure out the basic grammar rules and step into more specific areas. And these people decided to point some of the most confusing things out there to prove their point. English is a weird language and at times makes no sense whatsoever, especially for a language that is so widespread.

#1

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

weeping-wandrian Report

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Orillion
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who's up for the defenestration of Donald Trump. I say we do it overmorrow.

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To be fair, many linguists would easily find a logical answer to most of the problems presented in these messages, as English language has a lot of nuances (like words being borrowed from Latin and Greek, or the fact that some words had their origins lost or they ceased to be used in spoken language). However, that doesn't mean that they still don't fail to confuse people trying to learn the language, as even the most sound explanation might seem nonsensical when the original problem could be solved by, well... changing the language? Ah, let's leave this for the linguists to figure out and non-native speakers to be confused about, right?

#6

English Nonsense

tidywrities Report

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SykesDaMan
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took me a while to remember which one is positive and which one is negative between horriffic and terrfic...

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#10

English Nonsense

cherlishPanda Report

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So Dou
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have the exact same word in french and with the same meaning ... others meaning too ;)

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#14

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

tigerpellets Report

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Artex Gorilla
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brits also use 'Quite' in a sarcastic manner if agreeing with someone (who they don't agree with).

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#20

English Nonsense

qikipedia Report

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Aileen
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve also heard, “I before E except when your feisty foreign neighbor Keith leisurely receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from caffeinated atheist weightlifters. Weird.”

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#25

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

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Aldhissla VargTimmen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a broadcasted spelling competition for the Dutch language as well ^^ Dutch is easier though, makes more sense :)

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#27

English Nonsense

_charlmorgan Report

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I hear someone say "the other day", I assume it's something within a month. I never think someone would mean something they did like a year ago

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#28

English Nonsense

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Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if uncovered wagons were the first form of mass transportation so you literally were "on" it.

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#30

English Nonsense

AdventurousMan Report

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George Utley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fridge is a slang shortening of one of the original refrigerators - Fridgidaire...

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#31

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

emblian Report

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Phil Boswell
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same way that the sentence "I never said she stole all my money" takes on a completely different meaning depending upon which particular word you emphasise…

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#32

English Nonsense

Marimelida Report

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it has nothing to do with the words man/woman and comes from Latin humanus

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#36

English Nonsense

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because "Philippines" is in English while "Filipino/Filipina" is Spanish. No need to stress out. In Spanish the country is Filipinas. All is well, they're just words in two different languages!

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#38

English Nonsense

kanoe170 Report

#40

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

Fiasko21 Report

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Piou
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean man's laughter isn't the same as manslaughter? Hmmm maybe I should reconsider my hobbies

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#41

English Nonsense

ChrisScags Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because baked comes from the stem word "bake" so all you have to do is add the d in pronunciation. Whereas naked IS the stem word, so it has its own pronunciation. Confusing I know

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#44

English Nonsense

hopsandhorns Report

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Dave Walker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try saying you'll meet a Continental European at "Half Eight" and see what time he arrives...

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#45

English Nonsense

tengolacamisanegra Report

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Dynein
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever learned German? It doesn't just change the specific of the verb... it changes the whole meaning. "wenden" - to turn, "verwenden" - to use, "abwenden" - to avert, "zuwenden" - to give care/love/attention. That game can be played with pretty much any verb...

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#46

English Nonsense

PMunch Report

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F. H.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry to say, but in that case the proofreaders language skills were just lacking.

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#48

English-Language-Logic-No-Sense

SleepyLoner Report

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captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's weird the veil of this lie has reigned since ancient times. It's ageing well. Being that it's on my conscience, I'll ignore it's deficiencies and feign adherence to this insufficient and heinous rule.

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