| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Slim Pickens
Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Posts: 299
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 2:01 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
X
Last edited by Slim Pickens on Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, for personal reasons, I prefer "W.C." to "the john."
Regards,
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mjed9
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 242
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 3:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I know this is supposed to be about words we overuse but ...
How about the use of the word "comfortable" with Chinese students.
Everything is f***king comfortable from hair to people to books to how they feel emotionally.
I try to tell them only chairs and suchlike are comfortable (and the occasional atmosphere)
J |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Slim Pickens
Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Posts: 299
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
X
Last edited by Slim Pickens on Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ben Round de Bloc
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1946
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Slim Pickens wrote: |
| I'd be interested to know if it's only Chinese students that use the term W.C. so frequently. |
I tend to use the word restroom. However, the word bathroom is just as common where I come from. I'm aware of what W.C. means and what the letters stand for, of course, but it isn't part of my normal vocabulary. I never hear people here use W.C. There are several restrooms on the campus where I teach. For some reason above the doors of one, and only one, pair of restrooms there are signs with W.C. Damas and W.C. Caballeros. When I asked locals if they knew what the letters stood for, hardly anyone knew.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| And then, there was the grumpy actor who always went pee in the middle of the farm: W.C. Fields. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I guess that they are taught WC is polite, bathroom gets giggles, restroom, they don't understand, and toilet gets giggles as well. My kids are taught toilet and bathroom.
Do you ever get the WC finger sign? almost like the ok sign? I had middle schoolers who used to do that, they refused to say WC, bathroom, restroom, or toilet. weird. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Slim Pickens
Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Posts: 299
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
X
Last edited by Slim Pickens on Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Roger
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 9138
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
The word "W.C." overused? You must be funny in your head!
Contrary, I think anglophones have an unwholesome tendency to use euphemisms as plainly evident in this kind of concept:
Bathroom, washroom, restroom - laughable attempts at diverting your attention from the less heroic functions of your own body.
Do you "rest" in the "bathroom"? Can you take a "bath" in there?
The acronym "w.c." has been adopted internationally, and I think CHinese students use it appropriately.
If they have to use this word a number too many for your personal taste, then it's not the word per se but the fact that nature calls - too often.
Forbid thgem to use the "washroom" during exams! And, exhort them to drink less water... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Roger wrote: |
| The word "W.C." overused? You must be funny in your head! ... |
I prefer the good old-fashioned 'toilet' myself. |
|
| Back to top |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
