I mentioned this a couple of years ago, but now I have the photographic proof. Actually I always had the proof, though I wasn't aware of it. Here we are in our favorite halloween costume. We used to love strolling Santa Monica Blvd on Halloween when everyone and their sister is out showing off their costume or gawking at the costumed ones. Every time we'd run into other "nerds", we would totally geek out on each other. We wore these costumes to work one year, replete with toilet paper sticking out the back of our pants. It was cool too because the beanies' propellers spun every time we walked somewhere, which, working in a restaurant, was pretty constant. There is no outdoor gathering in costume tradition in this city and we haven't been to any costume parties since we moved here. Next time we are though, we'll be down at the thriftstore getting too-short plaid green pants et al.This makes me wonder if etc and et al mean the same thing. Maybe I'm using it wrong. Feel free to lambaste and mock, it is campaign season after all.
20 comments:
That's too funny!
Etc. and et al mean the same thing ("and others" "and the rest," etc.). I adore your geek costumes... the ties and teeth especially!
You reminded me that I'm chairing a meeting on Halloween. I think I'll dress up.
Sure, you used "et al." wrong, but that photo is so fabulous you're way beyond excused!
"Etc." is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase et cetera, which means "and the rest." It's used in place of similar items or concepts (but not entities) that you're omitting.
"Et al." is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase et alii, which means "and others." It's used in place of similar people or entities (but not things) you're omitting.
For example, you'd say: "I bought a bunch of snacks for the party, like potato chips, crackers, dip, etc., but no beverages." (You wouldn't use "et al." to refer to things.)
And you'd say, "I sent invitations to the whole gang from high school -- Bill, Mimi, Ted, et al. -- but no one showed up." (You wouldn't use "etc." to refer to people.)
Etc.
It is too bad you can't wear your costumes in Montreal. Maybe you could start a custom of requiring all your tenants to dress up in costume and have an apartment party. ed
Zimbaka is correct. The expressions are not quite the same.
I will be going to a "costume party" for the second year in a row - afte rnot going to one for about 30 years! I may steal your idea.
Love the costumes! I did a geek costume one year. But my best was the Floor Of A Movie Theater. LOVED that one. :)
HUGS...
On "etc" and "et al", my hunch was that "etc" refers to others where the listener may be expected to know who or what the others are, whereas "et al" refers to others where the listener isn't expected to know who are what the others are.
Thus: "I read Roth, Updike, Bellow, etc" - this presumes the listener can infer at least a rought idea of who are the other authors I read are.
Thus: "I read Roth, Charlotte Bronte, Harold Robbins, John Preston et al" - you're saying that others are read but your listener hasn't the foggiest who the others might be.
This may to some extent combine with what Zimbaka says - there may be no *single* difference.
What do you think of bareback gangbangs like Dawson's of Treasure Island Media?
http://videoshomo.over-blog.fr/120-categorie-10208089.html
Genius!
What a great photo!! You should totally plan a Halloween bash so you can satisfy the desire to be geeks and stuff...
Since when do I need campaign season as an excuse to lambaste and mock?
And for the record, I have no idea what the difference is.
It has been my experience that there are two parties that are extremely difficult to pull off: Halloween and New Year's. The expectations for both are too high and guests are almost always disappointed. Nonetheless, who doesn't like to play dress up?
I like the homemade costumes best, especially those which express a terrible pun. You guys are almost unrecognizable in those getups.
I feel no need to lambaste and mock at this time, thank you; however, I reserve the right to exercise this prerogative at some as-yet-unnamed time in the future.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, friends of mine held an annual Halloween party where the rule was "wear a costume of your choosing or one will be chosen for you". Options for the latter mostly came from another friend's collection of vintage wedding and bridesmaid's dresses. The party was always a hit.
Oh, those costumes are priceless. I haven't dressed up for Hallowe'en in a long while. Maybe this is the year I make a comeback.
Those are fun costumes! Spouse & I have been invited to a costume party this year and I'm looking forward to it. Spouse will go begrudgingly in costume.
Mark :-)
I'm sorry, but I'm really interested in your response to William Eaton's comment!
Ah, good memory......:_)
Loved it. All you needed was pant that come up to your chest.
Love the pic.
Which reminds me -- The Fella and I need to be getting our heads together on Halloween costumes...
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