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The most bizarre grammatically correct sentence ever...
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| rabbitjoker |
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
"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:
1) [Those] (Buffalo buffalo) [that] (Buffalo buffalo buffalo) buffalo (Buffalo buffalo).
2) [Those] buffalo(es) from Buffalo [that are intimidated by] buffalo(es) from Buffalo intimidate buffalo(es) from Buffalo.
3) Bison from upstate New York who are intimidated by other bison in their community also happen to intimidate other bison in their community.
* source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_buffalo |
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| The Highroller |
| Hahahahhaaha. Wow. |
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| Orko |
Hahah, my friend had just emailed me that a few days ago.
Amazing how the internet is so cyclical. |
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| Cosmic Fur |
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:
"Miami buffalo Miami buffalo intimidate intimidate Miami buffalo"
:/
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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| Revival160 |
Homonyms and homophones?
Shouldn't this be in the pride thread?
Everything 'homo' is getting bashed over there. |
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| rabbitjoker |
| 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." |
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| Cosmic Fur |
| 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. |
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| rabbitjoker |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cosmic Fur
Without them, it's just nonsense. |
To you maybe. |
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| ReCkLeSs GiRL |
| some profs just have too much time on their hands... lol |
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| Cribby |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cosmic Fur
Without them, it's just nonsense. |
I concur. |
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| FunkyCrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cribby
I concur. |
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| infinity HiGH |
| You're all nonsense! |
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