I have always enjoyed the colloquialisms and idiomatic usage of the language in this site, which is due to the fact that we are an international and multi-cultural bunch (Of course, we are also talented, erudite, witty and exceptionally good looking.)
For instance, Michael, I *think* that if I am "faffing" I am playing gently along, following the tune and not doing too much damage--but that is only a guess based on the context of your posting.
What other little idosyncrasies have caught your attention, or made you stop and think, or smile? I am thinking primarily along the lines of music terminology, but not to the exclusion of other things.
Cassie
Faffing about means fussing about or doing something in a frivolous manner, or doing something of little consequence around these here parts.
Was it Oscar Wilde who commented that the English and Americans were two races separated by a common language?
I'm not saying it might not mean something quite different somewhere else, Cassie, it's a usefully vague word, and I hear it used a lot, probably for that very reason.
A friend in Devonshire told me she would be "chuffed" when I asked if I could learn a song she wrote. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad, so I had to ask. It's good.
Terry Pratchett describes that sinking feeling you get when you're talking with someone and you know that they're speaking a foreign language...and you suddenly realize that it's *your* language at the same time...
Faffing is playing along with a tune that you don't really know. But, playing along with a tune you don't really know is the best way of learning a tune. So there has to be some slack in here.
So faffing is really about playing along with a tune that you don't really know whilst making no attempt to get to know it.
Come on now, we've all been there
You bet I've been there, Michael. There are a few tunes that I have simply never taken the time to learn absolutely, but I know them well enought to...faff along...Miss MacLeod's and Green Groves of Erin come to mind, but I think the Old Copperplate fits in there, too...along with a whole bunch of jigs. It could be another entire post--"Tunes I Faff Along With, But Wouldn't Dare Play by Myself"
I've always wondered if someone being chuffed was good or bad. I've read it in several books--nothing that will improve my mind, you understand...Thanks, Alice.
Cassie
Faffing is pretty unique to Irish music I think. I've tried it with Scottish music, but you just can't do it. There is something very precice about the melody in Scottish music that makes the tiniest nuance count. It might have something to do with a lot of it being limmited to one octave. Irish music, on the other hand, can be more open. I might get shot down for suggesting this, but if you get near an Irish diddly tune, then you can probably say you know it (all be it with the odd interesting "variation")
We only think it's the same language....
We only think it's the same language....
I have always enjoyed the colloquialisms and idiomatic usage of the language in this site, which is due to the fact that we are an international and multi-cultural bunch (Of course, we are also talented, erudite, witty and exceptionally good looking.)
For instance, Michael, I *think* that if I am "faffing" I am playing gently along, following the tune and not doing too much damage--but that is only a guess based on the context of your posting.
What other little idosyncrasies have caught your attention, or made you stop and think, or smile? I am thinking primarily along the lines of music terminology, but not to the exclusion of other things.
Cassie
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by woman of the house
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Faffing about means fussing about or doing something in a frivolous manner, or doing something of little consequence around these here parts.
Was it Oscar Wilde who commented that the English and Americans were two races separated by a common language?
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by Ottery
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Oh, oh---I've been faffing away my entire life....
Thanks for the language lesson, ottery, and I do believe you are right about the quote. At least, it sounds like something OW would say...
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by woman of the house
Re: We only think it's the same language....
I'm not saying it might not mean something quite different somewhere else, Cassie, it's a usefully vague word, and I hear it used a lot, probably for that very reason.
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by Ottery
Re: We only think it's the same language....
was n't it george bernard shaw?
or somebody
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by biggus dave
Re: We only think it's the same language....
A friend in Devonshire told me she would be "chuffed" when I asked if I could learn a song she wrote. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad, so I had to ask. It's good.
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by aliceflynn
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Terry Pratchett describes that sinking feeling you get when you're talking with someone and you know that they're speaking a foreign language...and you suddenly realize that it's *your* language at the same time...
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: We only think it's the same language....
specifically in diddly music:
Faffing is playing along with a tune that you don't really know. But, playing along with a tune you don't really know is the best way of learning a tune. So there has to be some slack in here.
So faffing is really about playing along with a tune that you don't really know whilst making no attempt to get to know it.
Come on now, we've all been there
# Posted on October 8th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Affirmative on the author of the quote, bigdave. It was G.B. Shaw, who also said:
"I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation."
# Posted on October 9th 2002 by K. Leahy
Re: We only think it's the same language....
You bet I've been there, Michael. There are a few tunes that I have simply never taken the time to learn absolutely, but I know them well enought to...faff along...Miss MacLeod's and Green Groves of Erin come to mind, but I think the Old Copperplate fits in there, too...along with a whole bunch of jigs. It could be another entire post--"Tunes I Faff Along With, But Wouldn't Dare Play by Myself"
I've always wondered if someone being chuffed was good or bad. I've read it in several books--nothing that will improve my mind, you understand...Thanks, Alice.
Cassie
# Posted on October 10th 2002 by woman of the house
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Faffing is pretty unique to Irish music I think. I've tried it with Scottish music, but you just can't do it. There is something very precice about the melody in Scottish music that makes the tiniest nuance count. It might have something to do with a lot of it being limmited to one octave. Irish music, on the other hand, can be more open. I might get shot down for suggesting this, but if you get near an Irish diddly tune, then you can probably say you know it (all be it with the odd interesting "variation")
# Posted on October 10th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: We only think it's the same language....
Oh, I forgot about the other thing about faffing. Jazz!
# Posted on October 10th 2002 by llig leahcim