I just read an author's frustration with English saying:

"English is a funny language; a fat chance and a slim chance are the same thing.

Any other examples where opposites mean the same thing?

quote:

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Originally posted by Kalleh:
I just read an author's frustration with English saying:

"English is a funny language; _a fat chance and a slim chance are the same thing_.

Any other examples where opposites mean the same thing?

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Well, there's the verb to cleave -- it can mean either to split apart or to cling

>> where opposites mean the same thing

Warning! This blanket is flammable!
Warning! This blanket is inflammable!

it seems weird to me that in french "personne" means "nobody".

No, wildflowerchild, that is a good one! Actually, I am hoping to get a French word-lover on this board. When I posted a question on an etymology site about Velodrome for arnie's question, a French gentleman answered and has been emailing me about words. I am hoping that he will join our wonderful crew!

I have another: "My mean brother hit me!" but "That gentleman hit on me!"

Only ones I can think of are:

• regardless
  
  
• irregardless

Does that work?

Hmmm, I don't know if they really work because they both really mean the same. However, beyond orientate (instead of orient)--irregardless (instead of regardless) is one of my most unfavorite words! So--it works for me as a pet peeve!

One of my favorite jokes would go nicely here.

There's this language teacher and he's telling his class about double negatves. He explains to his class that in English two negatives make a positive. He also goes on to explain that this is not true in other languages, such as Russian (and Greek I might add!) where double negatives are acceptable and add emphasis.

"But in no language," he continues, "do two positives make a negative."

"Yeah, right!" groaned a jaded student in the back of the class.

Yaaaawn, well I could care less about this
discussion. Then again, I couldn't care less if nobuddy responded to my addition, it's been a good day fishing and the time is being spent in careless abandon.

Another thread being revived. Wow, you must have been busy, Epi!

We have discussed this a few times before, and here is one of those discussions. It really doesn't make sense, now, does it?

"Yeah, right!" groaned a jaded student in the back of the class.

A story attributed to the late Professor Sidney Morgenbesser.