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Copied and pasted from new Pendants Thread by alanfi

Back in the day. What a ridiculous expression. Any particular day in mind? I notice that people don't die any more, they pass away or even worse they pass! Pass what, their exams, driving test?

alanfi @2341

I agree about 'back in the day' - a vague cliché.

I don't think you will eliminate 'pass' and 'pass away' for 'die'. Euphemisms for death are bound to be plentiful and these two are validated by Chambers etc..

'Pass' can be transitive and intransitive, but the transitive verb I cringe to hear without a stated object is 'Enjoy!'. Irrational of me but inescapable. I wonder if waiters are trained to say it.

Of course we all know which country the misuse of our language comes from! Stress on the wrong syllable in a lot of cases. My pet hate at the moment is the pronunciation of harassment, with the stress on the second syllable. I have even heard newsreaders saying it.

You'll be pleased to know, alanfi, that "back in the day" comes from the USA and the phrase arose during the 20th century.

I rather like the medieval word "endris", as in the carol This Endris Night (meaning: "one night recently", or "the other night"). If only we could revive it.

I came across the word "mollocating" today, as in "Switzerland were hammering the Welsh. Mollocating them."
I cannot find this word in any dictionary. Any ideas?

Hi Orson, it might be Scottish, see here…
https://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sndns2594

That's interesting, jono. Thanks.

Glad I could help

Malone Jigjag

If you are looking in, nice to see one of your favourite words at 1A in Times today

I'm fairly sure I heard a ClassicFM presenter yesterday say "and that was Desire, from Verdi's Requiem".