Words,
specifically the use of them, are a bit like rivers. The authorities may try to
plan to their movement but they have a will of their own. An example is the word fresh. Its
standard meaning is similar to new or young, as in fresh start or fresh
fish. Yet, in English we also have fresh water, which has a low salt
content as compared to sea water, fresh vegetables, which are in
contrast to cooked vegetables, and fresh children, who are not polite.
As a matter of
contrast, French avoids any mention of freshness. River water is douce,
a word whose general translation into English is soft. At a restaurant,
you can order crudités, with the contrast with processed vegetables,
such as steamed or sautéed ones. If your kid asks you why, it may because he is
culotté, a reference to his underclothes, a bit like being cheeky.
Examining a
language not based on Latin, Hebrew refers toמיים מתוקים [maim
metukim], literally sweet water. In terms of the vegetables, it is very rare to
find ירקות התוכות [yerakot hatuchot], literally cut
vegetables in a restaurant. Instead,
chopped salads are the norm. Finally, when it comes to behavior, Israelis go
straight to the issue. The kid is חצוף [hatsuf], having gaul, generally like his or her parents.
I hope I brought
your attention to some fresh, albeit irrelevant, information. Now go out and enjoy some fresh air!
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