December 22, 2006
The words "ulterior" and "nefarious" are two very special English words, for reasons you will find out soon. Let us play a simple game of fill-in-the-blanks. Answer with the first word that comes to mind that will complete the phrase.
If you answered "ulterior motive" and "nefarious intent" respectively, then you answered correctly. If you're wondering why are those the "correct" answers, well, what other answers are there?
It almost seems as if there is no other thing that can be "ulterior" aside from a motive, and similarly, "nefarious" can only be used to describe intent. They are paired automatically, so much so that you probably can't even recall what "ulterior" and "nefarious" mean anymore. Yes, it is true that you can say "ulterior action" or "nefarious plot", but it just doesn't quite cut it. They just don't get along well with any other words. I dare you to prove me wrong.
Here are some other words that are in the same league (scroll down to see the answers). Also, feel free to share your own.
Answers:
(Update: Quite a number of people have commented on my inclusion of "nefarious" on the list. I admit that I got "nefarious" totally wrong. I remember now where I got the "nefarious intent" association. It's from one of the ever-so-witty lines from the Star Control computer game series. It comes courtesy of the cowardly Spathi alien race, whose folklore speak of an "Ultimate Evil" whose ability to evade detection "gives conclusive evidence as to The Ultimate Evil's nefarious intent". Check out this page and search for "nefarious intent". This would explain why my brother and I both make the same association since we played Star Control 2 together years ago, back when our minds were more malleable. "Malleable minds"? Nah.)
- ulterior _______
- nefarious _______
If you answered "ulterior motive" and "nefarious intent" respectively, then you answered correctly. If you're wondering why are those the "correct" answers, well, what other answers are there?
It almost seems as if there is no other thing that can be "ulterior" aside from a motive, and similarly, "nefarious" can only be used to describe intent. They are paired automatically, so much so that you probably can't even recall what "ulterior" and "nefarious" mean anymore. Yes, it is true that you can say "ulterior action" or "nefarious plot", but it just doesn't quite cut it. They just don't get along well with any other words. I dare you to prove me wrong.
Here are some other words that are in the same league (scroll down to see the answers). Also, feel free to share your own.
- well-oiled _______
- endangered _______
- incriminating _______
Answers:
- well-oiled machine
- endangered species
- incriminating evidence
(Update: Quite a number of people have commented on my inclusion of "nefarious" on the list. I admit that I got "nefarious" totally wrong. I remember now where I got the "nefarious intent" association. It's from one of the ever-so-witty lines from the Star Control computer game series. It comes courtesy of the cowardly Spathi alien race, whose folklore speak of an "Ultimate Evil" whose ability to evade detection "gives conclusive evidence as to The Ultimate Evil's nefarious intent". Check out this page and search for "nefarious intent". This would explain why my brother and I both make the same association since we played Star Control 2 together years ago, back when our minds were more malleable. "Malleable minds"? Nah.)
Labels: English, word games
October 04, 2006
My brother was watching Fullmetal Alchemist these past two weeks. I'd already seen the whole series over a year ago and it's easily one of the best animé series I've seen. I watched the last few episodes (and the movie) again with him and we had a blast eating Fukuda while watching together.
This morning, my brother and I somehow got into this word game (this happens fairly often, especially before sleeping) where we find words or phrases that rhyme with "alchemist" and that would go with "Fullmetal _______". Like "Fullmetal Vocabularist" (not a real word), for example. We spent a whole hour commuting to work together while playing this silly game and I do believe we've gotten most of the ones that make some kind of sense. Here are the more memorable candidates:
Addendum: Like I said, this word game is an absolutely awesome great way to pass the time. Here's some more that I dug up on the trip home:
This morning, my brother and I somehow got into this word game (this happens fairly often, especially before sleeping) where we find words or phrases that rhyme with "alchemist" and that would go with "Fullmetal _______". Like "Fullmetal Vocabularist" (not a real word), for example. We spent a whole hour commuting to work together while playing this silly game and I do believe we've gotten most of the ones that make some kind of sense. Here are the more memorable candidates:
- Fullmetal Anarchist
- Fullmetal ArrayList (what the heck???)
- Fullmetal Arsonist
- Fullmetal Botanist (automail plants?)
- Fullmetal Catalyst
- Fullmetal Communist
- Fullmetal Con Artist
- Fullmetal Guitarist (rock on!)
- Fullmetal Impressionist (or Cubist or Pointillist)
- Fullmetal Masochist
- Fullmetal Metallurgist (or simply "Fullmetallurgist")
- Fullmetal Metaphysicist
- Fullmetal Methodist
- Fullmetal Narcissist
- Fullmetal Nudist (that is so gay)
- Fullmetal Optimist/Pessimist
- Fullmetal Pharmacist
- Fullmetal Philatelist
- Fullmetal Rapist (err...)
- Fullmetal Scientist
Addendum: Like I said, this word game is an absolutely awesome great way to pass the time. Here's some more that I dug up on the trip home:
- Fullmetal Analyst
- Fullmetal Capitalist (nemesis of Fullmetal Communist)
- Fullmetal Cartoonist (Hiromu Arakawa)
- Fullmetal Duelist (favorite card: Brass Man)
- Fullmetal Economist (will boost your mining industry)
- Fullmetal Exorcist (begone, demons of steel!)
- Fullmetal Nutritionist (recommends lots of iron in your diet; see Fullmetal Pharmacist)
- Fullmetal Orthodontist (specialty: braces)
- Fullmetal Positivist
- Fullmetal Relativist
- Fullmetal Sexist (WTF does "Fullmetal Sexist" mean?)
- Fullmetal Shopping List (for spare automail parts)
- Fullmetal Terrorist/Anti-Terrorist (Counterstrike rivals)
- Fullmetal Thaumaturgist
- Fullmetal Therapist
Labels: anime, conversations, Fullmetal Alchemist, word games
