Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2007 May 27

= May 27 =

Italian wiki article
Not knowing Italian, I was wondering if this Italian wikipedia article was on the same subject as this one from the English wikipedia. Thank you 68.231.151.161 19:53, 27 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, it is. —Angr 20:04, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Figures of Speech
Which figures of speech are used in the following sentences from the short-story Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat by Roald Dahl? 1. The wily fox was making darn sure he didn't leave any tracks. 2. I'm dying for a drink. 3. It reminded her of an ageing peacock strutting on the lawn with only half its feathers left.
 * Well, I suggest you have a look at Figure_of_speech, and click on the articles listed there - all three types are featured. I admit, it's a long list, so focus on those starting with the letters h, m, and s. Please feel free to come back with your suggestions, and we will give you more pointers or advice. ---Sluzzelin talk  22:59, 27 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Note that in general you cannot tell whether someting is a figure of speech without context. "He lost his marbles" could be the explanation why a little boy is crying (he can't find the glass balls he loves so much), or why an adult is behaving in strange ways. --Lambiam Talk  12:36, 28 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Considering the nature of the game marbles, if the little boy lost them, it's more likely they were won by someone else than that he simply misplaced them ;-) —Angr 16:46, 28 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The strangely behaving adult stole them. --Lambiam Talk  21:33, 28 May 2007 (UTC)