Re: SURVEY: Idiomatic Expressions In Your ConLang Or ConCulture

Tom Chappell wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> To start off, I am going to list a few synonymous idioms
> that I happen to like (just pick out the one or ones you
> like best);
>
> His elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.
>
> He doesn't have both oars in the water.
>
> [snip]
I'm sure many people will also consider these to be "idioms,"
but to me they are simply "expressions." To me, an "idiom" is
some set phrase which does not quite follow the normal rules
of grammar, such as:

"My father said there'd be trouble if I didn't mow the lawn, so
I guess I better had."

Here, "I better had" is what I would call an idiom. It doesn't
make sense under the normal rules of English grammar, but
every native English speaker knows what it means. Another
example is

"I will try and attend the meeting."

Here, "and" doesn't quite make sense. The expected word
would be "to."  (To me, the use of "and" implies "I will try the
meeting and I will attend the meeting.")

--Ph. D.

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