<< VERDICT IN ~ MAIN ~ JOLLY SHUT-INS TARGETED >>
MATE: THE COLUMN
Mate! Mate? MATE! Maaaaaate!
This became a matter of contention when Paris was freed after three days. Miranda claimed Hilton’s date of release fell exactly between our two selections and that we should share the huge cash prize.
My legal team determined Hilton had spent just over 72 hours in jail, meaning the prize was rightfully mine.
It’s all yours, mate, the Sheriff’s Department gave her credit for 5 days: she checked in one minute before midnight and was given credit for the whole day, and then was “transfered to home detention” one minute after midnight 72 hours and two minutes later… and given credit for the whole day: 5 days.
Celebrity inmate math, it’s a beautiful thing.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 06 09 at 04:10 PM • permalink#1 Ed Driscoll
Please note that by merely substituting the word “dude” for “mate”, all of Tim’s linguistic rules will work equally well in California.
Still true, but perhaps not for much longer: the word “bro” (short for “brotha” but pronounced “bra” with an abreviated “a” sound) has been supplanting it for a few years now, among Southern California’s Anglo working class* kids at any rate.
*Not exactly southern Redneck, perhaps our version of Bogan or Chav.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 06 09 at 04:21 PM • permalinkOh, so that’s where it came from: Hawaiian surfer lingo. I’ve never been to Hawaii, so it was a bit of a mystery.
Thanks.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 06 09 at 04:31 PM • permalinkWell, I guess I’ll show my age if I bring up the term “pal,” though it was mainly used to denote irritation (if my ancient memory serve me), as in “Look here, pal. . .” Then there’s “guy” (plural, “guys” - can mean either male or female, or both) and “bud” (short for “buddy”).
Americans are much too fond of the latest slang to keep any such term for long, unlike Aussies and their “mate.”
Tim, thanks mate (1) for this new facility in writing. Although the word’s multitudinous meanings can be tonally transmitted in speech, it has been almost impossible to achieve that with the written word.
That is until now mate (4)!
However, perhaps to keep the column safe for families, you seem to have omitted a few common meanings:
Will you mate (7) with me tonight Luv?
The captain and his first mate (8) were just good friends.
The plumber’s mate (8) was rapidly learning the trade from his master.So, mate (3), when are you going to do something about these omissions in your column?
You spent your winnings from the office pool on an iron? Not more canned wine?
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 06 09 at 07:43 PM • permalinkBeing from Melbourne, I don’t know whether this has received airplay in the northern states, but I have never seen it on the telly down here.
I suspect thoes chappies were looking to con-su-mate, mate.
Posted by surfmaster on 2007 06 09 at 07:52 PM • permalinkO/T but the ALP have revealed who is really running the party, heres a sneak preview of their new new ad!
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 06 09 at 10:00 PM • permalinkdarrinhV2
I recognise Fisk but whos the second bloke?
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 06 09 at 10:20 PM • permalinkthefrollickingmole - the other bloke is none other than Frederick Toben.
Aaaah!! Blairs law strikes again! Thanks for that, hadnt seen him before.
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 06 09 at 10:58 PM • permalinkGreat column, had me laughing out loud.
O/T : New show on ABC.
Carbon Copsa new enviro-science TV series that wants to help you save money and combat global warming. Each episode will feature one household that will have their home’s structure, appliances, vehicles and habits assessed for energy efficiency. They will then be challenged to make physical and lifestyle changes to significantly reduce their energy use.
You will watch it, or these guys will pay you a little visit in the middle of the night.
#25 Darrinh: What a nutball site! Dig this line from Tobin: “In Israel itself Fisk has noticed no give-and-take on any issues, and he thinks a change within Israel will have to come from New York.”
Oh, no! Fisk and Tobin have discovered the Big Secret! Israeli domestic policy is, in reality, run by a cabal of retired garment manufacturers operating out of a back booth in the 2nd Avenue Deli. Who spilled the matzah balls?
O/T but 1.618 seems to be having a little down spell back in the fridge topic. Dont know wether to be concerned or not.
“...I’m not well, so I’m leaving Blair news for now. I dont want to live anymore. I’m going to get help. so bye.”
Doesnt look good, but shes talking about getting help.
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 06 10 at 12:53 AM • permalink#30 Frollicking, I did try emailing during the week to see if she’s okay, but my email bounced back. :(
I hope she’s ok.
Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2007 06 10 at 01:10 AM • permalinkMate! Mate? MATE! Maaaaaate!
Tim, have you been talking to my mother? When I find the right girl I’ll get right on it.
Posted by Col. Milquetoast on 2007 06 10 at 05:59 AM • permalinkA delayed reply to JonathanH:
You been bugging my surgery?
Ah jeez, one of the beautiful things about this blog is that I can let out some of the stuff my job just won’t let me get away with. A colleague the other day asked me if I’d seen a really good documentary called An Inconvenient Truth. The self-control I exerted would have impressed the Dali Lama.
Oh, and Jon, almost forgot: LMAO - thanks, mate (intonation #1, standard mate, no inappropriate emphasis).
I’ve been noticing quite a few 50-something American males using “Man” again, which I believe was the pre-cursor to “Dude.” Didn’t care for it much in 1960-whatever, don’t care much for it or it’s spawn now. “Brah” used to be cute, then I lived on Oahu’s Windward side for 3 years, so it’s overdone in my little brain now, too. “Mate” doesn’t irritate me, possibly because I haven’t heard it so much. And it seems to have so many more interpretations!
The popularity of Brah might be from Dog The Bounty Hunter.
One thing that bugs me about that show (well a lot of things do) is that they’re always sneaking up on people. Wouldn’t they do better if they had beaters instead of brand new shiny SUV’s, and wouldn’t they stick out a little bit less if he cut his hair and dressed down a bit…. I know, he’s the DOG. It’s his thing. *sigh*
frollickingmole, last year my wife gave me a t-shirt that I occasionally wear to irritate some of my friends. It says “Cheney/Cthulhu 2008” on the front and “Why settle?” on the back.
Posted by JorgXMcKie on 2007 06 10 at 09:19 PM • permalinkLet’s not overlook the distinguished career of one Keanu Reeves, built upon the same linguistic flexibility.
“Whoa”
Whooooooa!”
“Woah…Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 06 10 at 10:08 PM • permalinkGreat column, Tim.
You might also recall a morphological extension (in length) that has a diminishing inference: matey. This is often used by older men talking to younger men (well, kids), and is very commonly used subtly to indicate subversion of authority. Like when the 58 year old retiree comes back to the pubic service as an ASO4 in petty cash and has to deal with 30 year old EL1s and 22 year old SES Band 1s (or so it seems to me).
“Here’s your travel itinerary, matey.” “Gidday matey.” “That’s the wrong form you filled in - you’ll have to go back and do it again, matey.” Etc
Posted by Abu Chowdah on 2007 06 11 at 01:28 AM • permalink#31, I emailed her too, but got no reply…
Posted by carpefraise on 2007 06 11 at 06:11 AM • permalink
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Please note that by merely substituting the word “dude” for “mate”, all of Tim’s linguistic rules will work equally well in California.