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Generally Speaking => Power On => Topic started by: Tahrann on October 07, 2008, 01:42:27 PM

Title: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Tahrann on October 07, 2008, 01:42:27 PM
Many of you have read books that have the phase of "...all but..." as in "all but winning", "all but dead" ect. ect., but wouldn't that mean everything but that thing is happening to them? Instead I am reading books with this phase and they mean "they are winning", "he is dead". Can someone explain this to me?
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Silverhawk79 on October 07, 2008, 02:10:44 PM
The authors are usually just lazy.
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: britneymahboy on October 07, 2008, 02:37:46 PM
No, I haven't.  What books?
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Doodle on October 07, 2008, 02:42:12 PM
*shrugs*
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Java on October 07, 2008, 02:47:38 PM
"All but" can also be used to say "almost" or "practically".

Ex. "That man is all but dead." would mean "That man is practically dead."
He's very close to dying, but he hasn't died yet.
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Totla on October 07, 2008, 02:52:56 PM
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on October 07, 2008, 02:10:44 PM
The authors are usually just lazy.
What's worse is when they use "one thing led to another."
Hitler was rejected from art school, one thing led to another, and six millions Jews were killed.
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Tahrann on October 07, 2008, 02:55:32 PM
Quote from: Java_Java on October 07, 2008, 02:47:38 PM
"All but" can also be used to say "almost" or "practically".

Ex. "That man is all but dead." would mean "That man is practically dead."
He's very close to dying, but he hasn't died yet.


Ah, ty Java
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Silverhawk79 on October 07, 2008, 03:12:13 PM
Quote from: Totla on October 07, 2008, 02:52:56 PM
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on October 07, 2008, 02:10:44 PM
The authors are usually just lazy.
What's worse is when they use "one thing led to another."
Hitler was rejected from art school, one thing led to another, and six millions Jews were killed.
Quit stealing Colbert Report jokes. >:(
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Java on October 07, 2008, 05:23:08 PM
Quote from: Tahrann on October 07, 2008, 02:55:32 PM
Quote from: Java_Java on October 07, 2008, 02:47:38 PM
"All but" can also be used to say "almost" or "practically".

Ex. "That man is all but dead." would mean "That man is practically dead."
He's very close to dying, but he hasn't died yet.


Ah, ty Java
No problem.  :robotveryhappy:
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Level_9_Chao on October 07, 2008, 07:18:25 PM
"Second to none" confused me forever. Like, if you're second to none, it makes it seem like you suck so bad, you can even come in second place to nothing, something worthless.
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Gwen Khan on October 07, 2008, 07:23:39 PM
another strange line is "Six Of One, A Half Dozen Of The Other"
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Shujinco2 on October 08, 2008, 11:01:04 AM
Yes, I've seen that too, and it kinda bothers me.
Title: Re: Ok, here is a literary question
Post by: Sgt.Chilly on October 08, 2008, 11:05:21 AM
did you mean to use the word 'phrase'?
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