Pseudo-Applied Linguistics Series

Things People Say & their Real Meanings


Ciarán P. McCarthy
ciaran@mindless.com
Director of Studies at The Salesian English Language Centre, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Does not tolerate fools gladly

Has a foul temper

Roguish sense of humour

Psychopathic practical joker

Lives life to the full

Is usually drunk

Lives life to the full but always has time for the family

Is usually drunk and then rows with the wife

Never forgets his origins

Maintains his regional accent

Well rounded human being

Plays golf at least five times per week

Voice of reason, arbitrator and moderator

Indecisive, sycophantic creep

Wide range of interests

Lecherous

Loved by his staff

Adulterous lecher

Has time for colleagues and friends

Has no work to do and they help him home from the pub

Regarded as an enigma

Regarded as totally insane

Familiar figure to all departments

So absent minded he has to ask to find his way back to his own office

Reputation as something of a wit

Exhibits a psychopathic cackle when telling a joke

Despite his many commitments

Has an excessive list of pubs that are open all hours

Displays a characteristic, youthful enthusiasm

Has fits of uncontrollable rage if not able to watch his favourite cartoons on TV

Will be sorely missed by colleagues

Owes considerable sums to the coffee, Christmas and birthday pools


If you have comments or suggestions, e-mail me at ciaran@mindless.com

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