"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo" is a grammatically correct sentence used as an example of how homonyms and homophones can be used to create complicated constructs. It has been discussed in the literature since 1972 when the sentence was used by William J. Rapaport, currently an associate professor at the University at Buffalo. It was posted to Linguist List by Rapaport in 1992.
Thus, the sentence when parsed reads as a description of the pecking order in the social hierarchy of buffaloes living in Buffalo:
Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).
Jun-26-2007 20:26
The Highroller
ad hoc and ad lib
Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Flying over the cuckoo's nest
Hahahahhaaha. Wow.
Jun-26-2007 20:28
Orko
Digital Hippie
Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hahah, my friend had just emailed me that a few days ago.
Amazing how the internet is so cyclical.
Jun-26-2007 20:28
Cosmic Fur
Debbie Downer
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Mississauga, Canada
Unless I'm missing something, the sentence (although grammatically correct) doesn't seem to make much sense. For example, if we replace "Buffalo" (PN) with let's say "Miami", and "buffalo" (V) with "intimidate", then the sentence becomes:
I don't think you'd be able to understand what the above sentence is trying to convey without adding some key words.
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I'm the trouble starter, fuckin' instigator.
I'm the fear-addicted, danger illustrated.
Jun-26-2007 21:06
Revival160
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: In the weeds
Homonyms and homophones?
Shouldn't this be in the pride thread?
Everything 'homo' is getting bashed over there.
___________________
Just concentrate, and try some music
Jun-26-2007 21:06
rabbitjoker
aural sadist
Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
quote:
Originally posted by Cosmic Fur
Unless I'm missing something, the sentence (although grammatically correct) doesn't seem to make much sense.
Try this:
It may be revealing to read the sentence replacing all instances of the animal buffalo with "people" and the verb buffalo with "intimidate". The sentence then reads
"Buffalo people [that] Buffalo people intimidate [also happen to] intimidate Buffalo people."
Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).
Jun-26-2007 21:09
Cosmic Fur
Debbie Downer
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Mississauga, Canada
quote:
Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Try this:
It may be revealing to read the sentence replacing all instances of the animal buffalo with "people" and the verb buffalo with "intimidate". The sentence then reads
"Buffalo people [that] Buffalo people intimidate [also happen to] intimidate Buffalo people."
I read that part, but as I said, what makes the sentence understandable are the words "that" and "also happen to". Without them, it's just nonsense.
___________________
I'm the trouble starter, fuckin' instigator.
I'm the fear-addicted, danger illustrated.
Jun-26-2007 21:12
rabbitjoker
aural sadist
Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
quote:
Originally posted by Cosmic Fur
Without them, it's just nonsense.
Originally posted by Cosmic Fur
Without them, it's just nonsense.
I concur.
___________________
GWARTQZ!!!!
Jun-26-2007 21:27
FunkyCrew
Ukranian Import
Registered: Feb 2006
Location: Soul Shakin'
quote:
Originally posted by Cribby
I concur.
___________________
Just surrender yourself to the rhythm,
With your hands up in the sky,
Feel the energy deep inside your system
And leave this world behind...
The most bizarre grammatically correct sentence ever...
