| A teledu of my acquaintance | A Sumatran badger that stank | |
| Has purchased a gaudy conveyance | Lived deep in a hole, dark and dank | |
| It's painted bright blue | . . . . . . . . | |
| And filled with beef stew | . . . . . . . . | |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . . . . . . |
The Party Political Beast
According to my research, Big Ben was actually cast in E.
[Juxt] Hope you don't mind.
If you should encounter a chugger
With one final jolt
(See comments for a line 4 and 5 that jumped out on me)
KagomeShuko - My mum thinks I need a shave
Software - So I'll just have to be brave
"Notwithstanding the belief of some that social judgments can be solidly based on language use, the lay-lie shibboleth may be changing its status. For instance, several commentators, such as Evans 1957, Follett 1966, and Flesch 1983, are perfectly willing to give the distinction up; Bolinger 1980 thinks it is already a lost cause not worth defending; Copperud 1970, 1980 judges the consensus of his experts that at least some uses of lay for lie are verging on standard; Flesch even goes so far as to recommend using lay for lie if it comes naturally to you.
"If lay "lie" is on the rise socially, however, it is likely to be a slow rise, as indignant letters to the editor attest. Bolinger observes sensibly that if you have invested some effort in learning the distinction, you will not want to admit that you have wasted your time. ... So what should you do? The best advice seems to be Bolinger's:
"Many people use lay for lie, but certain others will judge you uncultured if you do. Decide for yourself what is best for you."
When people say "ends of the earth"
They seldom mean further than Perth
But "back of beyond"
Or "over the pond"
Is never a place of great worth
The genteel folk of Milngavie
Are enamoured of actor Bill Navie
They see him on telly
Their legs turn to jelly
He's even a hit in Mumbavie.
One of my favourites. And now, back to our usual program...
I really must protest dear sirI'll PAY for my MEAL with some RUpees: correct metre and word stress but difficult to rhyme with.
This printed label's just a blur
The tin it leaked, my kitchen reeked
And smelled like déclassé liqueur.
There is much to be said of the Moth
And now I must pay for my crimes!
Scrub that - couldn't resist it.
