Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2009 March 14

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March 14[edit]

eat one's head off?[edit]

Is there an English idiom like that meaning to trouble someone? 59.91.254.41 (talk) 09:35, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, it's bite one's head off.--Shantavira|feed me 11:02, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
The meaning is more specific: it means to criticize sharply. Is that what you want? --Anonymous, 20:02 UTC, March 14, 2009.
If something is troubling you in a serious, persistent way (ie, causing you guilt or worry), you might say "It's eating at me." --Fullobeans (talk) 22:09, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, they do say that. But when someone appears to be troubled, others ask "Is something eating you?", or "What's eating you?" - not "eating at you". An odd little distinctiion. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:39, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Jack, for years I've often heard "eating at me/you" from native speakers of the language. Dismas|(talk) 10:26, 15 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I've heard both. I suspect usage varies regionally/generationally. --Fullobeans (talk) 21:23, 15 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
You could also say "he/ she/ it is bugging me." (At least in AE.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.97.245.5 (talk) 12:54, 15 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I imagine there are varieties of English that frown upon "to bug someone" as an idiom, but mine isn't one of them. 219.102.220.90 (talk) 00:31, 18 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Welsh[edit]

How does one say "we love Gwenno" in Welsh? (Gwenno being a young lady), diminutive/informal not formal if that's necessary please, and love not sexual or romantic love like between couples but friendly love between friends, if that matters please). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.128.189.101 (talk) 20:08, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Dyn ni'n caru Gwenno. Strad (talk) 20:19, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Category:Wikipedians by language has a link to Category:User cy. -- Wavelength (talk) 20:21, 14 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]