English makes me laugh, sometimes

I continually come across strange words in English, here is a couple I thought of recently

English words can be really dumb,
Some words make the brain get dizzy and hum
With so much fiction, about friction and stiction
With such stupendous contra-diction, that we think is normal diction!

I'll begin this very English story, with the word "extra-ordinary".
Look at any dictionary, and "common or "usual" is "ordinary".
If the "Extra" is looked up too, "Extra" means "more" it's very true.
But add the two and it's Double-Dutch, the whole word means "rare" "unusual" and such!

Here's another word to show, English is not quite what we know.
"Terre" is from the Latin word, that talks of "Earth" or so we've heard.
Now "Extra" means "more of the same", so contra-diction is rife again.
As the word itself means "not of this earth", it makes me laugh, I'm full of mirth!
So when those English teachers state, "each word is meaningful"  -DEBATE!

Author's Note

Should we sit and ponder what our words mean...hmmm

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

Maybe it's just the odd way my mind works, but I often do ponder words, their roots, and how they came to be. I'm a bit surprised to see your use of "stiction", that being a word usually used to describe qualities of motorcycle front suspension. So I've heard, English is one of the most difficult to learn.

[Daffy]

Hello, Samuel. Yes, 'stiction', (Physics / General Physics) the frictional force to be overcome to set one object in motion when it is in contact with another
[blend of static + friction]. This is from the dictionary. Poetic licence? I had to find another word to rhyme with Friction.....I have never been on a motor-cycle....the thought frightens me! Thanks for the review.

[Samuel Dickens]

Oh, my. And you're from the land of some of the most wonderful motorcycles ever built.

[Lydia Shutter]

I learned to speak Dutch and English at the same time and I think both languages have a lot of words that seem to mean something quite different from the definition we have learned. Your write is clever and witty. I enjoyed it. Lydi**

[Daffy]

wow, Lydi...Dutch and English....at what age I wonder, very clever to do that. What is your native tongue....lots of questions. Thanks for the review and you kind words.

[Lydia Shutter]

I was born in the U.S.A., but my entire family is Dutch so I spoke both languages...actually Dutch more than English till I was 5.

[Rita L. Sev]

English is a crazy language for certain! Love this amusing and educational rant, Daffy!

[Daffy]

Agreed, Rita. It's a mix-up of centuries of mistakes....in more ways than one!

[Laura Harrison]

Very true, the English language confuses me at times!

[Daffy]

Thanks for taking the time for the review, I tried to keep the poem short, but I guess we could think of a lot more words to increase the number of stanzas!

[Vidya Bacchus]

This is very funny lol but mostly true a very educating write.

[Daffy]

Thanks for the review, English can be very confusing, but always a laugh.....as are, we English!

[Vidya Bacchus]

you are welcome:)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. You are sure going deep into the roots of things or words. It tells me you are a thinker and like to know things for your own satisfaction. I love the rhyme scheme and the cleverness of this poem...Bravo

Here is a word : Chestnuts...lol

[Daffy]

Thank you Sami. We are both deep thinkers, I guess! I see so many ambiguities in life. Passing an English pub the other day, I saw a sign outside, with the words: 'Live football inside'. Strange, as the largest room in the building is about 12 foot square! I wondered if the landlord could be charged with 'misleading the public'....only joking.

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. A very good point...You are welcome...:)................

[Raymond Federle]

LOl... Truly a wonderful poem! I enjoyed the word play greatly. :)

[Daffy]

Thank you very much, Raymond. It was good of you to 'swing by'. Lol Daffy