Religious Trips and Time off from school

callum9999

blindman wrote: »

English (well Yorkshire) is my first language and I had to look that one up

I like it quite a lot (I think I actually learnt it from watching an American sitcom when I was a kid), it seems to accurately describe almost any remotely "controversial" discussion online very well for a start!

bigadaj

callum9999 wrote: »

I like it quite a lot (I think I actually learnt it from watching an American sitcom when I was a kid), it seems to accurately describe almost any remotely "controversial" discussion online very well for a start!

Yes, it's probably fine in American but I don't like it in British English. The use of hyperbole is fine but hyperbolic is generally only used in mathematical or scientific discussions.

My fallback is always 'that would be an ecumenical matter'.

callum9999

bigadaj wrote: »

Yes, it's probably fine in American but I don't like it in British English. The use of hyperbole is fine but hyperbolic is generally only used in mathematical or scientific discussions.

My fallback is always 'that would be an ecumenical matter'.

I have no idea whether it's more widespread in the US, but hyperbolic is a UK word in UK dictionaries - for both meanings.

I think most reasonably well educated people know what hyperbole/hyperbolic means (not that not knowing it at all suggests you aren't educated!), I don't think I have ever heard anyone use the word "ecumenical" in my entire life! (Ah, it's from Father Ted! Would it invalidate me if I said I never really got into it!)

starM

Thanks for the replies so far. My younger child will be fine with the aunt I am pretty sure.

I was reading through Education Act 1996 which states:-

(3)The child shall not be taken to have failed to attend regularly at the school by reason of his absence from the school—
(a)with leave,
(b)at any time when he was prevented from attending by reason of sickness or any unavoidable cause, or
(c)on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his parent belongs.

Mojisola

bigadaj wrote: »

My fallback is always 'that would be an ecumenical matter'.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Very funny episode!

blindman

callum9999 wrote: »

I have no idea whether it's more widespread in the US, but hyperbolic is a UK word in UK dictionaries - for both meanings.

I think most reasonably well educated people know what hyperbole/hyperbolic means (not that not knowing it at all suggests you aren't educated!), I don't think I have ever heard anyone use the word "ecumenical" in my entire life! (Ah, it's from Father Ted! Would it invalidate me if I said I never really got into it!)

The last time I used hyperbolic was at school in maths.

That was also the time I used my slide rule, before I got 142 in the MENSA test and before I got a 2:1 Hon degree.

Never heard it since...

callum9999

blindman wrote: »

The last time I used hyperbolic was at school in maths.

That was also the time I used my slide rule, before I got 142 in the MENSA test and before I got a 2:1 Hon degree.

Never heard it since...

I'm not sure if listing your credentials and IQ test results means you think I was questioning your education level? In case you missed it I categorically wasn't!

baza52

Hyperbolic? sound like a load of bolics to me

blindman

callum9999 wrote: »

I'm not sure if listing your credentials and IQ test results means you think I was questioning your education level? In case you missed it I categorically wasn't!

I was trying to point out that this reasonably educated English speaking person has only ever heard the word Hyperbolic in maths at school.

Which IMHO is where it belongs, and not on a forum where its use-to me- seems to be belittlng someone whose first language is not English.

Voyager2002

bigadaj wrote: »

Yes, it's probably fine in American but I don't like it in British English. The use of hyperbole is fine but hyperbolic is generally only used in mathematical or scientific discussions.

My fallback is always 'that would be an ecumenical matter'.

I am used to the word 'hyperbole' but I think this is the first time I have seen 'hyperbolic' used as an adjective related to hyperbole. Obviously, since my first degree was in Maths I have often seen reference to "hyperbolic" functions, curves and so forth.

Incidentally, has anyone come across "parabolic teaching"? When I saw this of course I thought of Maths, but it was in a book about the Gospels. Of course, it was because Jesus taught in parables!