"Play it by ear" is a reference to learning and playing musical instuments without sheet music. Typically, playing by ear means listening to a bar or two and then picking out the notes used on your own instrument. So "playing it by ear" is synonymous with working without a plan or direction.

Since we're on the subject of grammar and pronunciation, how do you say "altitude"?

I've noticed that most Americans say "alti-tood", whereas English say "Alti-chewed". Is it just an accent thingy?

[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

[ 06-28-2004, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: Jaradu ]

Uh, the kettle doesn't usually boil when watched, because people take it of the burner/flame before it starts, doh! I think it also refers to one's temperment. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Yeah, it's the same with tuna - toona and chewna, etc. I say the latter because I'm from England and Holland originally, I'm just spending a few years over here in the States. I still find it funny, though - I'll never get used to toos-day and suchlike. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

I hate the turns of phrase such as : "So, I was, like, mad, and he was, like, ,'So?'...."

LOL - and I really did ;) . And then I thought about it later and laughed again... but I was just happy, don't you worry about that. Just happy, nothing more :D

"Comfort zone" is another piece of trite pap I dislike.

What gets me is on the news when every city in the Middle East is referred to as "The Holy City of...". Enough already!