Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[airi@home]

I know It's all Greek to me means I don't understand at all,
but why GREEK? Because English speaker don't understand Greek? Maybe it is not the reason because if it is, it could be Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French..other languages.

Thanks, teachers

[bud]

That's very true, except maybe French wouldn't work as well because there are a lot of similarities to English... It's an idiom, so most people would not change the language in it. Even if they did, it would be understood the same way.

Probably it's Greek because it was once common to learn that in English-speaking high schools.

[Blossom]

I was told that many english words come from Greek. I was also told that many english schoolkids are taught greek, so may be they understand what is said?

[bud]

Yes, many of our words are derived from Greek. Also Latin, German, French and possibly a few others. It's what makes English such an irregular language.

I've also heard that the study of Greek or Latin helps a lot in understanding English. I don't think it is taught much today in the scools in the U.S., but maybe (hopefully) it is still taught in schools of other English-speaking countries.

[Blossom]

Yes, Bud. But why do people say it is all Greek to me when they do not understand?

I must say your reply is all greek to me.

[bud]

Oh, I see...

It's because Greek is so different from English in most ways (sounds and letters, for example) that few people know it. When hearing or seeing the Greek language, it makes no more sense than trying to understand a nuclear physics equation.

At least with a language that has similar sounds and letters as English (French or Spanish, for example), even if you don't know ithe language you can understand a few words here and there. You at least have a chance of understanding the general topic.

That'd be my guess anyway.

[airi@home]

Thank you, bud

It is interesting to hear that it was common to learn Greek in English-speaking countries Why do they not learn it any more in the US? I remember many high school kids were taking Spanish. Maybe is it because of the similarity in English and it makes it easier for you to learn?

I think it makes sense it is Greek that is in the idiom because it was difficult for English speakers to learn in high school.
Let me take Japan for example.
We once learned English from junior high school.( Now, from elementary school) Even after 6-year study of English, we don't understand English by hearing it.

If a Japanese are speaking messed-up Japanese, we could say," I understand English better than your Japanese!" or something.
We would probably not put other languages in the sentence.

I can't explain it well....sorry, but I think I understand what you mean.
Thanks again

[airi@home]

If you have traveled to Japan or stayed in Japan, when you were back home, maybe you could say,"It's all Japanese to me " as just a humor ...Or....maybe not !?

[asterix]

There used to be a saying, in the central part of England - "It's all double Dutch to me." It means the same thing as it's all Greek to me.

[Blossom]

Is Double Dutch different from Dutch language?

[bud]

Airi, I was not very accurate before. I think it was never a required course in any school except for very exclusive private schools. Greek and Latin were commonly offered as electives (courses you could choose to take if you wanted) in public schools, but I think few students took either. I don't know for sure, but I think they are generally not even available as electives in most public schools today. Spanish and French are much more common as they are deemed to be more practical.

And yes, it would be clearly understood, and funny, to substitute Japanese in the expression. Especially in the example you gave.

[asterix]

Dutch is a difficult language for many, and so "Double Dutch" is a way of saying that it is twice as difficult. (There is, of course, no actual language called Double Dutch.)

[airi@home]

To bud,
Thank you for helping me understand Also I'm glad to hear that my example is ok to say First, you undestand regular expressions and then you can add your taste to them. I like it!

To asterix,
I personally like the way of saying, Double Dutch Thank you.
Is it ok to say, "Don't ask me such a Double Duch question! "?
Does it sound strange?

[Bob S.]

If I might toss in my two cents,

In medieval times through the Rennaisance, persons of high education (clergy, court officials, physicians) all learned ancient languages of Greek or Latin (and a few others). But the common man did not. Even today, Greek alphabet symbols are commonly used in math and science. So for someone to say "it's Greek to me" implied that while it may be understood by someone more educated or knowledgeable in the matter, it was above the speaker's head.

I could be wrong in the origin of the expression. I'm not sure it actually dates that far back.