act of god

[Silverobama]

Hi,

What does this sentence mean?


Today we got an act of God.


Thanks a lot

[Route21]

Hi Silverobama

For "Act of God" see the dictionary definition:

act of God - definition of act of God by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
"A manifestation especially of a violent or destructive natural force, such as a lightning strike or earthquake, that is beyond human power to cause, prevent, or control."

R21

PS The word "got" grates on my NES ear a little.
I would have personally said:
"Today we experienced an act of God."

[freezeframe]

PS The word "got" grates on my NES ear a little.

Got doesn't grate anything for me. But out of any context, it is a strangely constructed sentence.

[Route21]

Hi freezeframe

Yes, I agree.
In hindsight, I should have added "in this context" (if it could have been read that I had [got] a problem with "got" per se).

Best regards
R21

[Raymott]

Hi freezeframe

Yes, I agree.
In hindsight, I should have added "in this context".

Best regards
R21

I think you were right the first time. I can't think of a context where "We got an Act of God" sounds right (at least in AusE). Maybe "We had an Act of God."

[Barb_D]

I guess if you're looking at the devastating flooding that just destroyed thousands of homes, "We've got an act of God here" might some out without the "'ve."


For what it's worth, some insurance coverages either apply or don't apply when the cause of the damage is "an act of God."

If I drive my car into your living room, you have an accident.
If lightning strikes a tree that then falls into your living room, you have an act of God.

[freezeframe]

I guess if you're looking at the devastating flooding that just destroyed thousands of homes, "We've got an act of God here" might some out without the "'ve."


For what it's worth, some insurance coverages either apply or don't apply when the cause of the damage is "an act of God."

If I drive my car into your living room, you have an accident.
If lightning strikes a tree that then falls into your living room, you have an act of God.

It's the "today" that throws me off the most. "Yesterday we got free cake. Today we got an act of God. Life is so unfair"?

[BobK]

It's the "today" that throws me off the most. "Yesterday we got free cake. Today we got an act of God. Life is so unfair"?

Without the article it could make sense though, in a discussion between students of insurance: "Today we got 'Act of God' again, tomorrow let's hope we get some other topic."

b