Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Calling all linguists

Rules of the game:  NO GOOGLE

Check out this letter sent home from school in Zoe's backpack today.


Kiwi respect (or maybe this isnt even a Kiwi word?) for anyone with the definition of the word MUFTI in the dialogue box at bottom right.  And, MY respect for the most creative guess.




And for some extra fun; SULTANA bran with extra fiBRE anyone?


5 comments:

  1. Several things seem remarkable about this word "mufti."

    1. Without Googling to confirm, I'm pretty sure a "mufti" is a muslim cleric of some sort. But I don't guess they're asking Zoe to bring her favorite religious leader. (Though I hear that muftis are in fact very good at activities, so maybe she should bring that kind of mufti too just to get a leg up.)

    2. I think if I only knew what mufti was "more suitable" *than*, then I would have a much better idea what a mufti is. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that mufti is more suitable than a set of sharp knives for the activities.

    3. The word is apparently singular. Whatever a "mufti" is, it seems like it should be plural. There's no article, after all--not "a" mufti, or "the" mufti. And off the top of my head I can't think of another singular noun that doesn't take an article. So maybe it's not a noun? Or maybe they don't do grammar so good over there. (Where is my pants?)

    4. Oh, these are things you wear. In that case, I'm going with full body gorilla suit. That's singular. And it seems more useful for activities than sharp knives. (Am I close?)

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    Replies
    1. well done, patient spider. you never fail to impress with the depth and philosophical soundness of your linguistics. this was a secret challenge (in my mind) for a face off between you, zebulon and abigail nightingail.

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  2. Mufti means your own clothes, i.e. not your school uniform.
    Occasionally when I was at school we would have a "Mufti Day" Usually the last day of term or some charity related thing.

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    Replies
    1. strong work, mr.alexander! can we keep you on retainer as cultural consultant?

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    2. Can somebody please explain why "mufti" isn't plural? My own clothes are on the floor. But mufti *is* more suitable for the activities. Come on--that's kind of weird.

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