Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with phrases and english

There are simply no words... seriously, we haven't come up with those yet.

aristan — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 07:40:49 -0800

Is there a word or phrase in any language that describes a moment that is so perfect that it makes you sad, either because it will eventually end or because every moment can't be that perfect? How about a word for a moment that is so perfect that "words can't describe it"? Are there any other concepts that are difficult to describe in English, but easy in other languages? The French and Germans have words/phrase for that feeling you get when you come up with the perfect comeback too late to use it (l'espirt d'escalier and treppenwitz). Arabic and German speakers can also easily describe the feeling of joy they find in others' pain (Shamateh and Schadenfreude).

They're lucky. With English, everything is made up of drawn out phrases and clauses, or so it seems when compared to German, where there's a short (and terse sounding) word for everything.

So, are there word that describe the moments above? Do you know any other cool phrases (in any language) that can't be expressed compactly in English? Are there phrases/words/concepts that are easy in English, but difficult to describe in another language?

Colloquialism

jasondigitized — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:42:54 -0800

What is your favorite and most colorful expression or phrase? Speaking about two idiots that we work with, my coworker said that they looked like 'Two monkey's f*cking a football', which led me to say 'They couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery', and as a final touch, which made me laugh, my coworker states 'They're about as handy as a bear cub with a toothpick'. I would love to write a book or create a website with colorful phrases from around the world. What are some of your favorite idioms that you use or have overhead in the boardroom, bar, or barnyard?

Where can I find a list of common spanish words/phrases?

JokingClown — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:09:59 -0800

Does anyone know where I can find a list online of 500-1000 most common spanish words or phrases, along with their meanings? I searched a bit and found quite a few that had 50 or a 100 approximately, but I want more. I have a Spanish to English dictionary, but I want to print out a quick reference sheet. The list can be words or phrases, it doesnt matter too much.

Who coined the phrase "Cultural Cathedral?"

Miko — Thu, 30 Dec 2004 09:02:24 -0800

Who coined the phrase "Cultural Cathedral?" MI. I used this phrase in the description of a blog I'm starting about museum theory. In using the phrase, I meant to characterize museums as places where a visitor might experience a sense of awe, humility, aesthetic beauty, and spiritual insight. In other words, a humanistic/cultural site that functions in the same way cathedrals do in the context of religion. It tripped so liltingly from my typing fingers, and is so graceful and apt a phrase, that I instantly knew I couldn't have made it up. Problem is, I don't know whose phrase it is (or I would reference their work).

The earliest citation I could find on Google was this one from 1987; but even here it's such a casually tossed phrase that it must have already been in the parlance. I'm sure it comes from the work of some thinker I'd admire. Any help?