English words that conflict with your language.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 12-29-2009, 01:46

Originally Posted by Kadagar_AV

One word that always irritated me is smell. For me it feels very unnatural to use the same word for something that can go both ways, smells good, smells bad. I know you can specify it, however, most English people don't.

It's exactly the same for a sight or sound though, isn't it?

**Kadagar_AV** · 12-29-2009, 02:03

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

It's exactly the same for a sight or sound though, isn't it?

sound yes, but not sight... Guess it is because sounds and smells can be pleasing or not, while sights rarely actually affect you much physicly.

*except for women*

**InsaneApache** · 12-29-2009, 03:05

One word in English that sounds ridiculous, to me at least, is spoon. Just keep saying it over and over again out loud.

....and no, I'm not drunk.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 12-29-2009, 03:13

Originally Posted by Kadagar_AV

sound yes, but not sight... Guess it is because sounds and smells can be pleasing or not, while sights rarely actually affect you much physicly.

*except for women*

You're wrong, "that's a sight" can be negative or positive, just like a smell or sound; it needs to be qualified in exactly the same way, "That's a horrible sight" or "that's a fine sight".

See.

**Kadagar_AV** · 12-29-2009, 05:38

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

You're wrong, "that's a sight" can be negative or positive, just like a smell or sound; it needs to be qualified in exactly the same way, "That's a horrible sight" or "that's a fine sight".

See.

I think I didn't explain well enough. Yes, a sight can of course also be "good" or "bad".

However, sights dont have the same physical impact as smells and noises.

A sight you usually need to explain more vividly than a smell. If something smells bad, it's enough to say that it smells bad and people will get your point.

Bad smell - physicly affects your nose...
Bad noise - physicly affects your ears...

But a sight? It isnt hurting the eyes. Thus you need to be more elaborate when you describe it...

I guess that is the reason why we lack a word for "bad" sight, while we have it for smells and noise.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 12-29-2009, 14:07

Originally Posted by Kadagar_AV

I think I didn't explain well enough. Yes, a sight can of course also be "good" or "bad".

However, sights dont have the same physical impact as smells and noises.

A sight you usually need to explain more vividly than a smell. If something smells bad, it's enough to say that it smells bad and people will get your point.

Bad smell - physicly affects your nose...
Bad noise - physicly affects your ears...

But a sight? It isnt hurting the eyes. Thus you need to be more elaborate when you describe it...

I guess that is the reason why we lack a word for "bad" sight, while we have it for smells and noise.

Ah, I see. Well we have "stink" and "stench" there, a "smell" is just a verbal noun.