this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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Saying eye doctor in a conversation feels normal. Saying tooth doctor feels like listening to someone who had a bad disco elysium roll and they're punching themselves in the face to get the words out.

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[–] hardypart@feddit.de 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Funny, because in German it's exactly that: Tooth doctor (Zahnarzt).

[–] theKalash@feddit.ch 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The one that always bothered me is Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt. Why is it Nasen? We only have one. It should either be Hälse-Nasen-Ohren Arzt or Hals-Nase-Ohren-Arzt.

[–] Gorroth@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I never thought about that. Now it bothers me too. Thank you.

[–] theKalash@feddit.ch 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm already trying to contact the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache. We can get this sorted.

[–] Gorroth@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago
[–] ValiantDust@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago

I assume it's for the same reason you say Nasendusche, Nasenrücken or Nasenbluten but Halsschmerzen or Halstuch (though I'm not sure what's the exact grammatical reason). It has nothing to do with the number of noses. I think it would be Augenarzt and not Augearzt even if we had only one eye.

[–] Tar_alcaran@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

In Dutch it's the same, but we just say "KNO-arts", for "throat, nose and ear".

[–] EmoDuck@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Tierarzt sounds normal but animal doctor sounds weird

[–] theKalash@feddit.ch 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

But that's because you learned english and know it's called a vet. Direct word-for-word translations are often supposed to be weird because that's just not how it works.

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Yes and y'all also use the French word for "curly" to say hair dresser... So.....