# Non-native-English-speaking Dopers, ask your English questions here **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 4, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405 "2006-05-04T16:23:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/1 "2006-05-04T16:23:08Z")
In a recent GQ thread, **clairobscur** found himself getting a barrage of questions about French grammar and idiom. I thought I would open a thread to return the favor, not just to him, but to all Dopers for whom English is not a first language. I have to say, I’m amazed by the degree of fluency in English you guys all have. Even so, there must be words, phrases, or idioms that are a mystery to you. Post your questions here, and we’ll let the collective wisdom of the native-English Dope shine forth. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/2 "2006-05-04T16:28:59Z")
Why **did** the chicken cross the road? ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/3 "2006-05-04T16:33:29Z")
> [@Sal Ammoniac](#): > > In a recent GQ thread, **clairobscur** found himself Herself, methinks. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/4 "2006-05-04T16:41:25Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Why **did** the chicken cross the road? Because the 'possum told him it was safe. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/5 "2006-05-04T16:45:10Z")
Clairobscur is a man, baby! No seriously, he’s a guy. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/6 "2006-05-04T16:50:54Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Clairobscur is a man, baby! > > No seriously, he’s a guy. Huh. Who knew? Everyone except me, as it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/7 "2006-05-04T17:47:26Z")
His name is a play on words: “clair” = clear, “obscur” = unclear. See? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/8 "2006-05-04T17:54:21Z")
Right, if he were a chick, his name would be, like, **Claire Obscure**. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/9 "2006-05-04T22:44:39Z")
Back to the OP, if I may: two actual English-language questions: 1. Past form of _to shine_: I learned at school that it was _shined_ when the meaning was to polish but _shone_ when a light was directed at something. Sometimes I read _shined_ in the latter meaning. Legitimate variant or mistake? 2. _Anti-Semetism_: Legitimate variant spelling of _Anti-Semitism_ or a remarkably frequent misspelling? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/10 "2006-05-04T22:58:36Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > Back to the OP, if I may: two actual English-language questions: > > 1. Past form of _to shine_: I learned at school that it was _shined_ when the meaning was to polish but _shone_ when a light was directed at something. Sometimes I read _shined_ in the latter meaning. Legitimate variant or mistake? > > 2. _Anti-Semetism_: Legitimate variant spelling of _Anti-Semitism_ or a remarkably frequent misspelling? 1. Either way. We’re flexible like that when it comes to language. Bunches of ways to say the same things. Too bad we’re not like that when it comes to international diplomacy. 2. As far as I know, and someone who is Jewish might field it better, but it’s anti-Semitism ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/11 "2006-05-04T23:28:35Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > 1. Past form of _to shine_: I learned at school that it was _shined_ when the meaning was to polish but _shone_ when a light was directed at something. Sometimes I read _shined_ in the latter meaning. Legitimate variant or mistake? Legitimate variant. No doubt it’s possible to explain the passive role or summat-or-other, but my guiding principal is that grammar is about making language understandable. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/12 "2006-05-05T00:37:21Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > Back to the OP, if I may: two actual English-language questions: > > 1. Past form of _to shine_: I learned at school that it was _shined_ when the meaning was to polish but _shone_ when a light was directed at something. Sometimes I read _shined_ in the latter meaning. Legitimate variant or mistake? > > 2. _Anti-Semetism_: Legitimate variant spelling of _Anti-Semitism_ or a remarkably frequent misspelling? “Shined my shoes” will beat “shone my shoes” by about a thousand to one. “Shined a light” and “shone a light” are probably about 50-50, though I get the feeling that “shone” is slowly falling off the map. “Anti-semetism” is just a misspelling. Some authorities say “antisemitism,” without the hyphen. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/13 "2006-05-05T00:56:32Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Legitimate variant. No doubt it’s possible to explain the passive role or summat-or-other, but my guiding **principal** is that grammar is about making language understandable. I wouldn’t make a big deal in any other thread, but a principal is the person who runs a school. A principle is an idea or belief, and what you meant to say. **Sal Ammoniac** , I agree, but I think “the sun shined brightly” is probably considered wrong, and “the sun shone brightly” is right. Great thread. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/14 "2006-05-05T02:25:28Z")
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/15 "2006-05-05T03:30:04Z")
> [@Sal Ammoniac](#): > > "“Anti-semetism” is just a misspelling. Some authorities say “antisemitism,” without the hyphen. The GPO Style Manual – the best source for this sort of question – uses says it’s one word with no hyphen (antisemitism). The general style is to write words solid – no hyphen – except in cases where there might be confusion (e.g., un-ionized). GPO only uses the hypen for Anti-American, anti-hog-cholera, anti-missile-missile, and anti-New Deal, plus any words where the second element begins with “i” (e.g., anti-inflation). ---
**Author:** ![Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_of_the_clams)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/16 "2006-05-05T14:43:01Z")
Ok, I have got one: why do you say “piece of cake” to something that is easy? I mean, obviously it’s easy to gobble down a piece of cake, but I have not heard that as a saying in Scandinavia. ---
**Author:** ![Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_of_the_clams)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/17 "2006-05-05T14:46:11Z")
And another one: why do the aussies refer to the british as pommies? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/18 "2006-05-05T14:50:37Z")
I don’t really have a definitive answer to the “piece of cake” question. I will say that the expression has been around for a long time, and the metaphor “confectionery”=“something easy” is pretty well established. For instance, if you call someone a creampuff, it means they’re basically a lightweight, a pushover. You also hear “easy as pie.” “Pommies” apparently, by what I’ve read on this board, derives – implausibly as it may seem – from “pomegranite,” which is [rhyming slang](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyming_slang) for “immigrant.” As you can imagine, there are dozens of other theories out there, but I think this one has some scholarship behind it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/19 "2006-05-05T15:19:50Z")
Hmmm… I thought it came from “Whinging Pommes”. Which I personally don’t understand what that has to do with the English. But there is a long list of things I don’t understand… so, meh. What’s the American fascination with British-isms? Seems every time an ordianary dumpy guy with an English accent walks into a room full of American women and you can almost here the slap of wet panties hitting the floor. Not that I’ve not played up my accent for personal gain and profit. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405/20 "2006-05-05T15:21:04Z")
:smack: “_hear_” the slap of wet panties… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-native-english-speaking-dopers-ask-your-english-questions-here/355405.md?page=2)