Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wondering why ...?

This email in my humor file was sent in 2000, one of my more recent pieces.  I have heard some of these lines uttered by comedians who like to poke fun at the English language.  I found this version on-line on a blog called "The Writer."


And other oddities of our language ...
  • Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?
  • Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?
  • Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?
  • Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
  • Why do "tug" boats push their barges?
  • Why are they called " stands" when they are made for sitting?
  • Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?
  • Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?
  • Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?
  • Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things?
  • Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds?
  • Why is bra singular and panties plural?
  • Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase?
  • How come abbreviated is such a long word?
  • Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one?
  • Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

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