this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2024
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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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It must confuse English learners to hear phrases like, "I'm home", instead of "I am at home." We don't say I'm school, or I'm post office. (self.showerthoughts)
submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by ParabolicMotion to c/showerthoughts
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[–] skygirl 24 points 7 months ago (3 children)

I had to explain to a friend recently why

"I'm at Steve's house"

Was fine but

"I'm in Steve's house"

Was weird. Like, get out of there before you get arrested.

[–] SpaceNoodle 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

That reminds me that my sixth grade teacher was adamant that 'I am going over Steve's house" meant that one was visiting the house, not flying over it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I like learning french because it shows me how weird the connections to english are.

"Chez Steve" means "At Steve's [place]". This one is more verbose in english.

But you can say "chez moi" for "at home". And no need to specify which home.

[–] SpaceNoodle 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

How many homes do you have?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

That's exactly my point.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm at Steve's house.

I'm in Steve's backyard.

I'm at Steve's backyard barbecue.

Yeah, English is pretty f'd up.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Nah, this kinda does make sense. You wouldn't wanna be inside Steve's barbecue, would you?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

I would sure appreciate that explanation. Like I broadly get that 'at' implies you are present with the person's knowledge while 'in' implies you are there without their knowledge but I would like an explanation of why the meanings are implied as such