Search
Listen on:
Follow me:
Search
Listen on:
Follow me:
Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
Search
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
Toing and froing about verbing different parts of speech
Guest
1
2015/08/14 - 6:58am
Print

A headline "Toing and Froing of Risk in Greek Bailout" caught my eye.

While "to and fro" as a fixed adverbial expressing was familiar to me, the verb form, while it seems quite common and well documented, had escaped my notice till now. I think it is the -oing ending that made my brain go BOING!
Collins
Macmillan
Oxford

I love unusual verbings, and I think this one is now permanently among my favorites.

Robert
553 Posts
(Offline)
2
2015/08/14 - 10:00am
Print

Some other gerundings  from non-verb root :  (or is  gerunding  the right word?)

So now kindly desist from this Iffing and Butting and be happy with the stories you enjoy !

Keep on  what iffing till  you've wrung out  all the possibilities !

EmmettRedd
859 Posts
(Offline)
3
2015/08/14 - 11:44am
Print

And, I have been just struck by the closeness of iffing and f'ing (or effing).

Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 27
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Menu

Recent posts