"Old Thing"

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pete9012S
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"Old Thing"

Post by pete9012S »

"Old Thing"

I was absolutely utterly convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that Nigel was the one who first uttered this short phrase on there 'ere forums...

Was I right - in a way yes and no....

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sixret
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by sixret »

At first I thought old thing was for senior people.
I stand with justice and the truth. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.

Learn the history. Do research.

The hypocrisy, double standard, prejudice and bigotry own by some people is so obvious.Shame on them!
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Rob Houghton
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Rob Houghton »

According to the news last week phrases like 'old thing' and 'frightfully' and 'rather' and 'quite' are falling out of use. :-(
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Moonraker
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Moonraker »

My 8 yr-old grandson always comments when I call him 'old thing'. He says, 'I'm not old' and I explain that it's a term of endearment and has nothing to do with anyone's age. Although I did suggest that he didn't use it on an older person!
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Machupicchu14
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Machupicchu14 »

At first when I started reading EB books I was quite surprised by this term but then I came to understad what it meant and I think it is very amiable and nice!!!! :D Although if I address one of my friends like that I would get a 'shock' look!! :lol:
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Wolfgang
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Wolfgang »

Moonraker wrote:My 8 yr-old grandson always comments when I call him 'old thing'. He says, 'I'm not old' and I explain that it's a term of endearment and has nothing to do with anyone's age. Although I did suggest that he didn't use it on an older person!
So you actually don't want to be called "old thing" by him?
Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
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Moonraker
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Moonraker »

More than happy, Wolfgang; more than happy. But then, he knows me! :D
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Rob Houghton
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Rob Houghton »

I've always liked 'Old Bean' :-) And also 'You really are a brick!" :lol:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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John Pickup
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by John Pickup »

I've always liked the term, "You are a brick" as well.
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Francis
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Francis »

Does that mean you're thick!
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by John Pickup »

As a plank, Francis. :D
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Dick Kirrin »

Rob Houghton wrote:According to the news last week phrases like 'old thing' and 'frightfully' and 'rather' and 'quite' are falling out of use. :-(
Isn't that a shame considering that the expressions that will take up their respective roles may be a little more erm 'outspoken' shall we say?
And of course I am quite unhappy about the way people look at me these days when I introduce myself as Dick Kirrin instead of Richard. :lol:
"You just never knew what would happen. It made life exciting, of course - but it did spoil a cycling tour!"
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Rob Houghton
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think the fact seems to be that apparently younger people aren't using 'qualifiers' any more...so instead of saying 'It's quite cold' or 'it was rather exciting' they are just saying 'Its cold' and 'it was exciting'. :-(
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Wolfgang
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Wolfgang »

Don't get me started. I personally hate it if people use superlative in an inflationary way for negligibilities, especially if the subjects/achievements aren't exceptional at all.
Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
Dick Kirrin
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Re: "Old Thing"

Post by Dick Kirrin »

I don't intend to get you started, Wolfgang, and we really must watch out not to turn this into a learned discussion about language and how it changed.

However, we have two aspects in the discussion which are worth considering.
Wolfgang's point about superlative inflation - something isn't just good, but the best of good or any such linguistic nonsense. For that, we have the marketing people to thank for who will tell us how their product 'exceeds maximum standards' which of course may say more about the standards set than about the product. :D In that respect, our language got enriched without offering substantially more in terms of solid meaning.
And Rob's and my point about us losing parts of the language, like qualifying idioms - and sometimes even articles. That may be to do with text message shorthand or less complex plots in many films and books. It also may be that coming generations don't read as much as we did - well, how many other options did we have? Finally, of course language can and will develop. However, in this context I think we are depriving ourselves of options to express ourselves to the point where words literally have no meaning.
"You just never knew what would happen. It made life exciting, of course - but it did spoil a cycling tour!"
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