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"that sucks", "that blows".

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lostonearth35
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21 Feb 2024, 4:21 pm

I remember Bart on The Simpsons once saying "I didn't think it was possible, but this both sucks *and* blows!"



ToughDiamond
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21 Feb 2024, 7:35 pm

funeralxempire wrote:
shortfatbalduglyman wrote:
Double negative literally means a positive

For example: "I ain't got no cash" means "I got cash"


In the dialects where that construct is common a double-negative is an intensifier.

Double negatives as an intensifier are common in West African languages, they've been borrowed into black English dialects from that source and they've been absorbed into other dialects through contact.

I ain't got no cash means I'm completely broke, not I have cash.

Double negatives are also common in French. "Je ne regrette rien" = "I don't regret nothing," but it means "I don't regret a thing."

Vaguely related:
I've heard that the phrase "I could care less" is deliberate irony, but I think it was just a mistake that caught on with poorly-educated people.

Back on topic:
The etymology of "sucks" is disputed:

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian ... anletters4

Having said that, the "United Church Of God" is certain that its origins are filthy (though they don't say how they know that), and agrees with St. Paul that God doesn't want us to use filthy language, ergo, we mustn't say "sucks."

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/b ... nds-use-it



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21 Feb 2024, 8:00 pm

To use a phrase from when I was growing up: "that pegs out the suck meter" which means something bad, not sexual.



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21 Feb 2024, 9:37 pm

To use another phrase that included suck from that time period which was sexual; (remember this came from a 15-17yo's mind) if we saw a pretty girl we would say "I bet she could suck a golf ball through a garden hose"



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22 Feb 2024, 12:03 am

We all know that Monica blows at night.


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CockneyRebel
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22 Feb 2024, 12:14 am


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