can you help me

iam very thankful for evry one help me or try to help me about my subject



my demand>>

my teacher ask me to search for the word that transulation in crazy ways

like

bluetooth-- all of you may know the meaning of the word
but when we separte the word the meaning is different
blue = color
tooth = tooth


also

smallpox
smallpox= disease
but
small pox dot means that disease


please help me to find more from thes word

so i hope from you to help me please please please

i prefer technical word or medical word

iam waiting for you

frist of all welcom

redbreast
homeless
homesick

and also there's insect I forget its name but its something with "lady"


all the best

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Meshal,

Actually I would think that many multi-syllabic words would follow that rule. Let's just take some that you've used in your posting:

Thank/Ful(l)
Dis/ease
Wel(l)/come
Home/work

The reason is that many words have been contrived from matings with other words. Here are some from a coupon that I have before me:

Honey/dew
check/out
co/upon
north/ants

I hope these help.

co/upon

Coupon is from French coup 'blow (from a fist)' from Late Latin colpus from Greek kolaphos. There's a denominal verb in French couper 'to strike, cut'. The -on ending is an augmentative (opposite of diminutive) suffix. For its meaning in English, it's something like 'that portion which is cut off (from the rest)'. Not sure what you were going for, Richard.

Some compound words were originally closer to describing that for which they were coined. Like almost all words, their meanings changed over time. Blackbird or (robin) redbreast were originally descriptive, but have come to mean a certain species of bird. Likewise, probably honeydew and watermelon. What the poster seems to have been assigned to find are more like classical idioms: phrases whose meanings cannot be determined by looking up the meanings of their constituents.

From the IT industry: how about Microsoft which is neither 'small' nor 'soft'?

Rich is absolutely right. There are tens of thousands of common words in the English language that qualify. I had Laverne open a dictionary with eyes shut and point to a word at random

The word was "triweekly," meaning either three times a week once every three weeks. If that isn't crazy, I don't know what is

The modern use of Bluetooth comes from the nickname of a Viking king, Harold Bluetooth. I assume he had a blue tooth.

The insect meshal was trying to remember is interesting.

In England it's called a ladybird but, I think, in the US is called a ladybug.

Either way it has two constituent parts although at least one of them makes sense in the US version.

Sticking with insects a bluebottle is a kind of fly.

quote:

Originally posted by BobHale:
The insect meshal was trying to remember is interesting.

In England it's called a ladybird but, I think, in the US is called a ladybug.

Yes BobHale it's ladybrid. usually I like to use "England version",like trousers instead of pants sorry Americans

"That went over like a lead balloon."

When it's spoken, it's clear that it's a balloon made of heavy metal. Sarcasm.

On second thought, it could be the balloon that was led.

In writing, however, there's ambiguity. Is it the Number One balloon in the balloon parade? The lead balloon ??? Or the balloon whose route was determined by the force that guided it -- the led balloon?.

The English language has a great potential for confusion.

dream999,

Let's start by translating your message to Standard English ...

You wrote:

can you help me

iam very thankful for evry one help me or try to help me about my subject

my demand>>

my teacher ask me to search for the word that transulation in crazy ways
[/quote]

Translation:
[i]Can you help me?
I will be very thankful to anyone who will help or try to help me solve my problem.

My problem:

My teacher asked me to find words that translate in crazy ways.

Also, dream999, it might help if you tell us where in the world you are, and what languages you already speak.

Thanks.

Hello Dream 999,

To enlarge upon what Jerry has posted:

We have subscribers from all over the world, many or whose first language is not English. We are very happy to help as best we can and, to help us help you, it's always useful to know a person's place of origin.

Although most people learn English at school, some nationalities find it more difficult than others. In particular those whose native language does not use standard "English" script - Chinese, Japanese, Arab, Thai, etc., etc., have more difficulties than others as they must transliterate their script into English script as well as translate the meaning.

The more we know about your background the more likely it will be that someone will be able to use his or her specialist knowledge to help you.

first. iam very happy for your attendance on my subject and for your nice reply.
2nd. my language is not well especially in grammar.


Iam embarrassed from you and me.


rose bouquet for anyone here(Meshal-- Richard English-Zmjezhd--Dalehileman---Arnie--BobHale--Jerry Thomas)<-- thanks Jerry for your comment and for all.

my brothers.
I want to collect more than 50 words( compound words )
like ( smallpox- feedback- bluetooth- microsoft-checkout). that is my prmblem please try to help me to solve it.

bay the way Iam from the Arabian Gulf.
Iam vet. work in Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO)


bestwishes

You wrote ... "first. iam very happy for your attendance on my subject and for your nice reply.
2nd. my language is not well especially in grammar.
Iam embarrassed from you and me. "

Please notice that "Iam" is not an acceptable word. You should write either "I'm" or "I am."

In Standard English your statement would be: "First, I am very happy because of the attention you are paying to my problem and for your nice replies."

Second, my English, especially my grammar, is not good. I am embarrassed for both of us."

Please repeat this until you have memorized it: When an opportunity is offered and an effort is made, learning can sometimes take place.

There's another word right on this page which qualifies. It comes from BobHale's signature line:

blockhead

The word means a stupid person, but the two syllables, block and head, do not indicate that meaning separately.

Here are a few more:

handmaiden (a servant)
chairman (the head of a committee)
neckerchief (scarf worn around the neck)
nightmare (a bad dream)
mattress (a thick pad for sleeping on)

Wordmatic

quote:

bay the way Iam from the Arabian Gulf.
Iam vet. work in Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO)

Whereabouts in the Gulf are you? In recent years I've been to Jordan, Qatar and Oman - and might be going to Saudi next year, although that's not definite.

I have to say that you shouldn't be too concerned about your English, it's much better than my Arabic. Clearly being on this board is a great opportunity to improve your English skills.

I did try to learn a few words of Arabic in preparation for my trips, but I confess I didn't manage much more than "hello", "please", "thank you" and "a beer please"!

I bet the last one came in really useful.

quote:

I bet the last one came in really useful. Roll Eyes

Surpisingly it did. Although strict Muslims don't drink, most Arab countries are quite happy for visitors to do so - although that usually means in a hotel; street bars are very rare in most Arab countries.

Welcome to our forum, dream 999. How nice to have someone here from the Arabian Gulf!

thanks for all

welcome Mr. richard in your country.

quote:

Originally posted by dream999:
thanks for all

welcome Mr. richard in your country.

Are you from Saudi Arabia?

yes.
I am from saudi

Welcome, dream999!

As others have said, don't be too worried about your English; I am sure we will be able to work out what you mean. If you stay around here you should find that your English improves in time.

We've now got two members (at least) from Saudi Arabia!

You might like to put where you come from and any other information you want to add to your Public Profile; to do that click on your name to the left of your last post, then 'view dream999's public profle'. From there, click 'View/Edit Complete Profile', add the details, and click 'Submit'. Note that you don't have to do this, but it helps to let us know a little more about you.