XXV. Find the dominant synonym in the following groups of synonyms. Explain your choice

XXIV. Identify the stylistic connotations for the following italicized words in the jokes given below and write their synonyms with other stylistic connotations.

1. "I must say these are fine biscuits!" exclaimed the young husband. "How could you say those are fine biscuits?" inquired the young wife's mother, in a private interview. "I didn't say they were fine. I merely said I must say so."

2. "Willie," said his mother, "I wish you would run across the street and see how old Mrs. Brown is this morning." "Yes'm," replied Willie and a few minutes later he returned and reported: "Mrs. Brown says it's none of your business how old she is."

3. "Yes, she's married to a real-estate agent and a good, honest fellow, too." "My gracious! Bigamy?"

4. Wi11ie: Won't your pa spank you for staying out so late?

Tommy (whose father is a lawyer): No, I'll get an injunction from та, postponing the spanking, and then I'll appeal to grandma and she'll have it made permanent.

5. A man entered the bar and called for "a Martinus". The barman observed as he picked up a glass, "You mean Martini, sir!" "No, indeed I don't," the man replied. "I was taught Latin properly and I only want one."

6. A foreigner was relating his experience in studying the English language. He said: "When I first discovered that if I was quick I was fast; that if I was tied I was fast; and that not to eat was fast, I was discouraged. But when I came across the sentence, 'The first one won one-dollar prize' I gave up trying."

7. Jane: Would you be insulted if that good-looking stranger offered you some champagne?

Joan: Yes, but I'd probably swallow the insult.

1. to glimmer — to glisten — to blaze — to shine — to sparkle — to flash — to gleam. 2. to glare — to gaze — to peep — to look — to stare — to glance. 3. to astound — to surprise — to amaze — to puzzle — to as­tonish. 4. strange — quaint — odd — queer. 5. to saunter — to stroll — to wander — to walk — to roam. 6. scent — perfume — smell — odour — aroma. 7. to brood — to reflect — to meditate — to think. 8. to fabricate — to manufacture — to produce — to create —/to make. 9. furious — enraged — angry. 10. to sod — to weep — to cry.

XXVI. The following sentences and jokes contain members of groups of synonyms. Provide as many synonyms as you can for each, explaining the difference between them; single out their dominant synonyms giving reasons for your choice.

1. "Why is it. Bob," asked George of a very stout friend, "that you fat fellows are always good-natured?" "We have to be," answered Bob. "You see, we can't either fight or run."

2. "Just why do you want a married man to work for you, rather, than a bachelor?" asked the curious chap.

Well," sighed the boss, "the married men don't get so upset if I yell at them."

3. A kind-hearted English Vicar one day observed an old woman laboriously pushing a perambulator up a steep hill. He volunteered his assistance and when they reached the top of the hill, said, in answer to her thanks: "Oh, it's nothing at all. I'm delighted to do it. But as a little reward, may I kiss the baby?” "Baby? Lord bless you, sir, it ain't no baby, it's the old man's beer."

4. Comic Dictionary: ADULT — a person who has stopped growing at both ends and started growing in the middle. ADVERTISING — makes you think you've longed all your life for something you never even heard of before. BORE — one who insists upon talking about himself when you want to talk about yourself. FAME — chiefly a matter of dying at the right moment. PHILOSOPHER — one who instead of crying over spilt milk consoles himself with the thought that it was over four-fifths water.

XXVII. Find the dominant synonyms for the following italicized words and prove that they can be used as substitutes. Are they interchangeable? What is lost if we make the substitution?

1. Never for a moment did he interrupt or glance at his watch. 2. The girl looked astonished at my ignorance. 3. Sometimes perhaps a tramp will wander there, seeking shelter from a sudden shower of rain. 4. I am very different from that self who drove to Manderley for the first time filled with an intense desire to please. 5. The stony vineyards shimmer in the sun. 6. The restaurant was filled now with people who chatted and laughed. 7. I've got a sister and an ancient grandmother. 8. A bowl of roses in a drawing-room had a depth of colour and scent they had not possessed in the open. 9. He saw our newcomers, arms wound round each other, literally staggering from the bus. 10. Chicken-pox may be a mild children's disease. 11. In a funny way she wanted to reach out for that friendliness as if she needed it. Which was odd. 12. It could be a dream world. So pretty, yet so sad.

XXVIII. Reread the lecture and find the euphemistic substitutes for the following words: die, drunk, prison, mad, liar, devil, lavatory, god, eat, pregnant, stupid. Write them out into two columns: A. euphemistic substitutes for social taboos. B. euphemistic substitutes for superstitious taboos.

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