[Vocabulary] semi open

atabitaraf · Nov 2, 2013

1. Please leave the door open!
2. Please leave the door closed!
3. Please leave the door ...(between open and closed)...!

5jj · Nov 2, 2013

Leave the door ajar.

Raymott · Nov 2, 2013

"Leave the door half open."

Barb_D · Nov 2, 2013

5jj said:
Leave the door ajar.

When is a door not a door?
When it's ajar!

5jj · Nov 2, 2013

Barb_D said:
When is a door not a door?
When it's ajar!

Don't give up the day job.

emsr2d2 · Nov 2, 2013

Barb_D said:
When is a door not a door?
When it's ajar!

That was one of the first jokes I learnt as a toddler. Along with:

Q: Why is an elephant big, grey and wrinkled?
A: Because if it was small, white and round it would be an aspirin.

I thank you! I'll be here all week! ;-)

atabitaraf · Nov 3, 2013

Barb_D said:
When is a door not a door?
When it's ajar!

Such a silly question I'd like to ask, but in asking there is understanding.
I know what it means, but I couldn't find out what is funny in it.
When a door is half-open it is not a door? So what's funny in it? Is it used for children to creep, gossip or something?

Raymott · Nov 3, 2013

atabitaraf said:
Such a silly question I'd like to ask, but in asking there is understanding.
I know what it means, but I couldn't find out what is funny in it.
When a door is half-open it is not a door? So what's funny in it? Is it used for children to creep, gossip or something?

There's nothing funny about a half open door not being a door.
But, back to the riddle:
If something is a jar, it is not a door, because jars are not doors. The riddle/joke is meant to be spoken.

5jj · Nov 3, 2013

emsr2d2 said:
Q: Why is an elephant big, grey and wrinkled?
A: Because if it was small, white and round it would be an aspirin.

I thank you! I'll be here all week! ;-)

Where's my hat?

konungursvia · Nov 3, 2013

I have never heard any person actually use the word "ajar" -- unless you count my brother's friend's GM, which had a recording with a southern accent -- "A door is a-jar." I always thought it was a strange expression. But I think it means entrouverte, only slightly open, rather than half-open, as the Aussies seem to indicate.

emsr2d2 · Nov 3, 2013

konungursvia said:
I have never heard any person actually use the word "ajar" -- unless you count my brother's friend's GM, which had a recording with a southern accent -- "A door is a-jar." I always thought it was a strange expression. But I think it means entrouverte, only slightly open, rather than half-open, as the Aussies seem to indicate.

BrE uses "ajar" quite frequently. I agree with you, though, that it means "slightly open" and not "half-open".

[Vocabulary] semi open

atabitaraf

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Raymott

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5jj

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emsr2d2

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atabitaraf

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