Talk:Siamese twins (English language)

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[edit] Feel free

Please feel free to add to the list of examples under the relevant head. If the conjunction is neither and or or, start another section. Thanks, --Gurubrahma 08:08, 1 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] DYK blurb

  • ...that the phrase Siamese twins in the context of the English language refers to a grouping of words that is often used together as an expression and usually conjoined by the words and or or? --Gurubrahma 13:45, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Why?

Would anyone like to add a little section on why Siamese twins cannot be changed around?

I'm afraid I'm in the middle of my University exams and therefore have no time.

Ollie

  • I have a dim recollection from a phonology class long ago that there had been some research done that concluded that there were regular phonological rules in English, and I think in some other languages also, that at least to some extent would predict the sequence of terms in a phrase like this. I have long since lost the reference but if someone is familiar with this research it would vastly improve the article to have a section on this instead of the bare list that is here currently. 69.3.134.212 04:00, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Examples?

Would "the Alpha and the Omega" be a suitable example, or is that common to many languages and therefore not appropriate to this page? Also, what about "last but not least" in the "other conjunctions" section? --zandperl 21:32, 21 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rant and rave

  • This is listed in "Examples of Siamese twins employing synonyms", but perhaps it should be noted that through usage as a pair, the two words have commonly become thought of as opposites (i.e. a rant is exclaiming something negative, while a rave is exclaiming something positive). I'm hesitant to add this myself, though, because it's possible that this understanding of the terms is not as common as I think it is. --ΨΦorg 18:26, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
  • "Rave" correctly means "talk incoherently". Its use as "exclaiming something positive" is modern slang. Anthony Appleyard 20:25, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

One could add as an example of a pair of Siamese twins employing alliteration and also antonyms, "right and wrong"

[edit] a siamese twin comment by a lexicographer

from here <http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000310>:

James E. Clapp, in his forthcoming Random House Webster's Legal Dictionary, says at the entry for to have and to hold:

"The English language often places a higher value on rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration than on concision. . . .redundant expressions, like nooks and crannies, each and every, hale and hearty, part and parcel, safe and sound, are part of everyday speech, and the language would be poorer without the music they provide." Mang 04:17, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Examples of Siamese twins employing alliteration and antonyms: right and wrong

[edit] Deleted

Deleted "Short back and sides" from trinomials. It's not a trinomial because it doesn't link three ideas, only two. It describes a "short back and (short) sides". That there are three words together doesn't make it a trinomial.

"On your marks, get set, go" is a series of instructions that progress. "ready, steady, go", and "lights, camera, action" are similar sequences. They are not the same type of construction.

--Amandajm 06:14, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Urban Dictionary = Reliable Source?

In regards to the "shits and giggles" phrase, it cites Urban Dictionary. I don't think that is a reliable source, so I am tempted to delete that reference. Anybody think otherwise? Copysan 03:08, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Not in My Idiolect

Some of these have no such constraints in my idiolect. For example "girls and boys" and "boys and girls" are completely interchangeable, with no preference, whether used as a mocking term of address for silly grown-ups or for actual children. To me "Ken and Barbie" is more natural than "Barbie and Ken." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.85.130.130 (talk) 22:46, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Jeez Louise

Perhaps the phrase "jeez Louise" should be added to to the "words that sound similar" section. I could understand most causes for omission, but the phrase is (or was) in common usage. NatePhysics (talk) 23:02, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Same word?

According to the definition at the start the order of the words cannot be reversed - can someone either confirm this and remove the section of examples employing the same word twice, which can obviously be reversed, or change the definition to one that incorporated those examples? 59.167.39.8 (talk) 12:40, 23 April 2008 (UTC)Dave

[edit] name: Binomial

The name siamese twins is not the most common way to refer to this phenonemon. Rather a term with the word binomial is more common. Furthermore, they are not found only in the English language. I will move this page to Binomial pair if no one objects. – ishwar  (speak) 12:57, 25 April 2008 (UTC)