History Channel - another Train Series!!!
- Thread starter N Gauger
- Start date
MM -
Great posts (or are they awesome...?). Seriously good points.
My current peeve is not so much the superlatives and hyperbole, but the complete redefining of words, like "free"... I seem to recall this all got started when "medium" became small, and "large" became medium, and the new more-than-you'll-ever-need size became large.
My current favourite example is a local airline that offers the "option of a complementary beverage", but of course the option is only available on the higher priced tickets... hamr wall1
Andrew
And of course "complimentary" is supposed to mean 'free'...
Nowhere is the "size" craze more evident that at a Starbucks, where it is further complicated by being in fractured Italian.
All of this reminds me so much of George Carlin's love-hate relationship with the English language.
sign1 I gotta agree with you! sign1
When I was operating a forklift for a living and a truck didn't show you should have heard my radio..Every 15 minutes -
#15(my number)
15 here
Has the shipment from Dogma arrived yet?
not yet..
It hasn't??!!!
Get hold of me when it arrives its hot!
And not more then 15 minutes the same routine.
On the same token if I didn't have a trucker tell me he has a "hot" load I would have fainted...
Of course I cooled their "hot" load when I told them-Funny you're not on my "hot" list.sign1
Now where was I?
then came that immortal cry!
15????!!!
Sigh and so it went..sign1
You're preaching to the choir, Brakie - I practiced medicine for thirty years, where nothing is "routine" any more in medicine; everything is a crisis or an emergency or urgent or some other nonsense. Apparently the only reason most of the patient's didn't die was because they were too disorganized to find the time.
Fortunately, I am a follower of the Doctrine Of The Four P's; i.e., p*** poor prior planning on someone else's part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
Fortunately, I am a follower of the Doctrine Of The Four P's; i.e., p*** poor prior planning on someone else's part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
It was great - IMO - I was actually at a few places where the trian went through PA... There was also some neat info I learned too!!!!.
I'll definitely watch the next one!!!!
I don't know, I think the host kinda was a bit over the top sometimes. I have a funny feeling he irratated the crews he was following, but otherwise it was alright.
I think the part that made me chuckle the most is that they were following the Norfolk Southern almost the entire show, but all the commericials were for CSX... and the websits says "Brought to you by CSX".
Anyone else see the irony?
I think the part that made me chuckle the most is that they were following the Norfolk Southern almost the entire show, but all the commericials were for CSX... and the websits says "Brought to you by CSX".
Anyone else see the irony?
I caught that also. Kinda like a few years ago when "Pizza Hut" was giving away free movies. One was "Mister Mom", and in one scene the family had ordered "Dominos".
I thought it was a good show. Very imformative in that it wasn't just a "railfan" video. Pretty cool how they threw in some history(especially about Horseshoe Curve), how diesels work and can never get sick of watching a heavy repair shop in action.
Can't wait for next weeks episode!
I agree on the "trivialization" of the language...nowhere more evident than in D. Letterman's "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches"....But....in point of fact, we are the only ones to blame by not demanding of ourselves, our kids, and the system that we've set up to "educate" them. In my time it was demanded (by parents and teachers) that we learn grammar, spelling, and proper syntax. Nowadays it's not uncommon to see spelling and grammar mistakes in supposedly "reputable" publications, TV adds, and just about anywhere one cares to look....
As to the show....I thought it AWESOME...!!! Though not a diesel or unit-train fan, it gave me an "insider's" look into how a RR operates in that particular task. What was also amazing was how track maintenance and loco/car repair are carried out....I'll be looking for the next installment..!!
As to the show....I thought it AWESOME...!!! Though not a diesel or unit-train fan, it gave me an "insider's" look into how a RR operates in that particular task. What was also amazing was how track maintenance and loco/car repair are carried out....I'll be looking for the next installment..!!
watch your language!
When we allow a word or "catchphrase" in the dictionaries, just because it is frequently used, we are in literal trouble, literally speaking, of course!
I see more misplaced and misused words in the newspapers, than anywhere else. And a local educational facility says "It all depends on where you want 2 be," substituting the number for the word, I get more than just a little unwound. I don't think I'd want to send any of my grandkids there.
When we allow a word or "catchphrase" in the dictionaries, just because it is frequently used, we are in literal trouble, literally speaking, of course!
I see more misplaced and misused words in the newspapers, than anywhere else. And a local educational facility says "It all depends on where you want 2 be," substituting the number for the word, I get more than just a little unwound. I don't think I'd want to send any of my grandkids there.
As bad as that is, there are so many words that people use all the time that i bet even YOU didn't realize you are misusing.
My favorite misused word is "bug".
The real meaning of the word bug is a noun for a particular group of insects, called hemiptera.
Every single other use for the word bug is technically wrong. So don't worry 2 much about it
I'm sorry, i had to...
extra fun fact- Do you know that in the whole film, "A Bug's Life", there are no bugs? Thats how bad its become.
We're a lot better off than the Germans and the French, whose language became fixed a long time ago. They have been forced to adopt foreign words for a great deal of what has come along since WWII, or in Germany's case, make up a combined word that takes up half a page. The problem in France became so bad that years ago the French government actually passed a law forbidding the use of foreign words.
The advantage of the loose and easy style of American English is that it invents and adapts words constantly, making the language one that always grows and changes without stagnating.
The advantage of the loose and easy style of American English is that it invents and adapts words constantly, making the language one that always grows and changes without stagnating.
Interesting. I can't conceive of a language becoming "fixed". Granted English borrows words right and left, but what about French and German keep new non-foreign words from being used, or existing words being used in different contexts? I.e., what caused them to become fixed?
Curious,
Matt
Someone ought to rename this thread "The Complexities Of The English Language"
How did we go from History Channel-New Train Series, to discussing buzzwords, catch phrases, origin and syntax of the English language.
How did we go from History Channel-New Train Series, to discussing buzzwords, catch phrases, origin and syntax of the English language.
I think this thread "jumped the tracks." Maybe it "picked a switch." Definately, we can say it is "derailed."sign1
I like the show, liked watching them go through the trench in Los Angeles. I like how he says, "Can I do that?" AND THEY LET HIM! The glue gun was funny when he broke it and and when he couldn't break the rocks . I like the show, even if it is a little over the top.
I think it had something to do with the constant overuse of TERRIFIC! AWESOME! OUTSTANDING! SUPER! and so on. You know, hyperbole?
Back on track, so to speak, I watched the episode on America's fastest train - the series is interesting, but I can't help thinking they need a new guy to be the narrator. The constant Gee Whiz! attitude, as though the entire audience is comprised of idiots, and the constant use of superlatives and hyperbole, ruins an otherwise good series. This is more like "Choo-Choo's For Kids than a serious documentary.
I was not happy with this episode. There were several problems i had with this one. For one thing, the Acela isn't the fastest train in the US. I'm pretty sure the toasters can go faster, but i'll have to check.
They also claimed that the Acela is the most powerful locomotive. While it is true that most electrics are more powerful than diesels, the AEM7 is definitely more powerful, and the ALP46/HHP8 locomotives creep up into the 8,000 HP range, way above the Acela's 6,000.
Thirdly, they claim that the Acela has a european design. I'm not sure if they meant in style, but i was pretty sure that the design is Canadian (thats where bombardier is, right?), and i'm pretty sure the acela coaches are based on the canadian LRC trainsets.
Even if the above Acela facts can be disputed, there was one error that really annoyed me that i know was an error. When they showed that bascule draw bridge, they claimed it was part of the Pennsylvania RR. It was clearly in New Haven territory, complete with the New Haven's lattice style catenary bridges.
I've been saying that since day one. The guy is ridiculous. The only thing i'm thinking, is maybe that is what the whole series is geared towards, people who don't know anything. A lot of people don't ever see the train up close. they see it occaisionally as they drive by in a car, or as in this case, TV. I think trains also have a reputation for being boring, so people who don't know much about trains can get pulled in.
They also claimed that the Acela is the most powerful locomotive. While it is true that most electrics are more powerful than diesels, the AEM7 is definitely more powerful, and the ALP46/HHP8 locomotives creep up into the 8,000 HP range, way above the Acela's 6,000.
Thirdly, they claim that the Acela has a european design. I'm not sure if they meant in style, but i was pretty sure that the design is Canadian (thats where bombardier is, right?), and i'm pretty sure the acela coaches are based on the canadian LRC trainsets.
Even if the above Acela facts can be disputed, there was one error that really annoyed me that i know was an error. When they showed that bascule draw bridge, they claimed it was part of the Pennsylvania RR. It was clearly in New Haven territory, complete with the New Haven's lattice style catenary bridges.
I've been saying that since day one. The guy is ridiculous. The only thing i'm thinking, is maybe that is what the whole series is geared towards, people who don't know anything. A lot of people don't ever see the train up close. they see it occaisionally as they drive by in a car, or as in this case, TV. I think trains also have a reputation for being boring, so people who don't know much about trains can get pulled in.
your right green light, that host is definately no one who should have did the show. i cannot believe they could not have gotten someone better. im sure he is a very knowledgable and nice person, but he shouldnt have given up his day job either. i have not been impressed with any of the shows so far. i have learned a few things, but all and all i think its a huge disappointment.