(1) Individuals are "not on speaking terms" when a negative emotion (anger, jealousy, pride, etc.) eliminates the willingness to speak with another.
(2) This expression can also be applied to inanimate objects that are not working well together.
Didn't you hear? Michelle and Rachel are not on speaking terms. Rachel is pissed by what Michelle said earlier. I told Rachel she is better off confronting Michelle than bottling up her anger.
My 217 paint brush and I are not on speaking terms, Cecil! Go to the art store and pick up Versamanna brush. I will not look like an amateur in front of the Royal Painters Academy of Florence!
46๐ 19๐
The change in speech that happens (sometimes unconsciously) when an EFL speaker is talking to an ESL speaker. The EFL speaks louder & slower, uses clearer syllables and sometimes adopts the accent of their ESL audience.
Useful when ordering Chinese or Indian takeaway over the phone so it is more easily understood.
Has no racist motivations at all but is simply a practical way to assist communication.
EFL: "I have one beef-a-black-been, laaj spesha frai raice, tree dim sim."
ESL: "Ok, be ten fitteen minnas. Ba Bai."
Friend-of-EFL: "Dude, that was some nice ESL speak."
ESL: "Tayn-you. Mehbe I shudda orda sam sprin roos a well."
Friend-of-ESL: "OK you can stop now you friggin racist."
15๐ 4๐
an expression taken out of context to annoy religious people (especially Christians). Use at the start of any sentence that:
a) is not religious, but could be understood in such way,
b) is not religious at all, or
c) is apparently religious but hints to a sexual meaning.
Much used in religious forums of any kind.
Spiritually speaking, should I stay with my wife, or go out with my girlfriend?
Spiritually speaking, my thing broke down and I can't get to the church, what should I do?
17๐ 6๐
Unnecessary words that executives use to make a statement seem more interesting, more informative, more important, or in the case of a report on a company's quarterly losses, more optimistic and less forewarning of people losing their jobs. Your manager uses bullshit speak when he's telling you why you were "laid off" (read: fired because he doesn't like you).
Bullshit speak consists of rarely-used words, words being misused, and on occasion, entirely made-up words.
Whenever LG's fridges, Sony's laptops, or Honda's airbags are blowing up in people's faces, you can be sure that a bunch of reassuring bullshit speak will follow, accompanied by a lot of out-of-court settlements.
Bullshit speak:
We are placing the stock under review, as we parse out how much of the disappointing quarter results can be chalked up to cyclicality and how much was the result of structural issues that have longer-term implications.
Colloquial English:
We're taking a closer look at the tacky garbage that we sell, as we figure out how much of the losses this past 3 months are because we're selling Halloween decorations at Easter, and how much of it is due to to us hiring carpenters to make cupcakes.
9๐ 2๐
Language which disregards common English teachings. Talking like a gangster is the most effective way to unite yourself with your inner thug.
A complete and hilarious guide to speaking gangsta:
purpleslinky.com/humor/how-to-speak-gangsta/
Example of gangsta speak - "Yo! Nuff' trippin dog. I be ti'ed of yo whiney tude."
70๐ 36๐
The practice of substituting any number of letters or symbols for actual letters coupled with purposefully phonetically mis-spelling words while chatting in order to make your chat unreadable to all but the "elite," or, all the other dorks you are chatting with.
49๐ 23๐
how the people of kettle run talk
Hey chee.
I see chu.
Yammas.
Going Ham.
Heard That.
Mort.
We use kettle speak.
17๐ 6๐