A wee book of things - TH1NGS

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

A collection compiled by Doreen McBride exploring the “mystery of life and language” through unexpected reflections on sayings that include the word “things.” The text uses humor and illustration-based reasoning to consider how a Martian or other foreigners might visualize and misunderstand common English expressions. It includes regional sayings and invites suggestions to improve the illustrations and the proposed “Nom Ironspeak” translations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time1 h 20 min

AccessFree to download

TH1NGS

Look at these things

An old thing

A pretty thing

A weebookof things “bout ya” Doreen McBride Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2021 with funding fromKahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781899496150 A wee bookof things Cks Compiled byDoreen McBride ADARE PRESS White Gables, Ballymoney Hill, Banbridge Co.Down Telephone 02840623782 C 2002 Published by Adare PressCover Design by Michael WibberleyPrinted by Graham &Heslip Ltd All rights reserved.No part of this publication may bereproduced,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted,in any form or by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording or otherwise,without theprior permission in writing,of the publisher. ISBN 1899496157 # TH1NGS Amazing revelations about the mystery of life and language arefrequently revealed in unexpected ways.I had one such revelation a fewmonths ago when l was lying in the bath with my big toe stuck up the mixertap. 'The English language is a lazy language.'I thought,'It does not haveas good descriptive powers as Nom Ironspeak.It contains an awful lot ofsayings containing the word 'things'.'Things are in a mess','things arelooking good,''things aint't what they used to be.'I wonder how a visitorfrom Mars would visualise a thing?' l immediately jumped out of the bath,dried myself and drew thingsuntil the wee small hours of the moming. How could a Martian guess the meaning of sayings such as 'Thingshave come to a pretty pass,'or 'Things are coming up roses.'Would aMartian realise that the expression 'Things are getting on top of me.'means they are actually getting me down?What sort of helpfultranslation would a native from Nom Iron give to a Martian? I then realised that a book of things could be useful to visitingMartians and to other foreigners.As I cannot speak Martian I haveendeavoured to provide illustrations of what could be visualised byMartians on hearing an expression containing the word thing'and toprovide a possible translation in Nom Iron speak.I found the wholeexercise very difficult and would be very grateful to anyone who can offersuggestions for development and improvement.I sincerely hope this workproves to be a useful starting point. I Look at these things Wud ye tak a geek at thon A young thing Thon's wet behin tha ears # An old thing # A pretty thing Thon's a quare bit av stuff

FAQs

What central idea does the book introduce about language?

It argues that surprising insights about life and language can emerge through unexpected associations, especially sayings containing the word “things.”

Why does the author involve Martians and foreigners?

To imagine how non-native visitors might visualize or misread English expressions, highlighting the gap between literal meaning and idiomatic usage.

What does the author ask readers to do?

The author requests suggestions for development and improvement, aiming to make the illustrations and “Nom Ironspeak” translation ideas more useful.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda