Talk:so is life
Add topicAppearance
Latest comment: 6 years ago by Equinox in topic Disputed sense meaning "such is life"
I think this is some kind of NNES error. It doesn't sound right, and virtually all uses are the other kind ("X is a gamble, but so is life"). Equinox ◑ 22:08, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- Yes, there are a couple cites that may possibly be NNES, but there are several now that have been added that clearly show the indicated usage from what appear to be native speakers Leasnam (talk) 22:48, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
Disputed sense meaning "such is life"
[edit]um, I think you might have made a mistake on adding those quotes to the second sense. I was careful to weed out the "life is too" from among the apples Leasnam (talk) 23:14, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- The 1894 & 2007 ones can be either or. We might be best to remove them if they are not clear... Leasnam (talk) 23:16, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- I feel absolutely certain from context. Maybe ask further editors for opinions? Equinox ◑ 23:17, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- Okay, I'm good on all but the 2007 one. It would need to read "and so can life (be fatal)" to make sense as "life can (be) too" Leasnam (talk) 23:22, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- If it has respected me so far, I don 't see why it would decide to consume me now, when all my body has to offer are weakened bones and sagging flesh. Malaria can be fatal in the long run, I know. Well, so is life.
- I feel absolutely certain from context. Maybe ask further editors for opinions? Equinox ◑ 23:17, 21 March 2018 (UTC)
- I don't see why. What's grammatically wrong with something like: "chips can be tasty, but popcorn is, too, and it's cheaper"?
Also, a bit more context shows that the writer is being defeatist/fatalistic: "I don't even take antibiotics. It's part of the job. ... Malaria can be fatal in the long run, I know. Well, so is life. When I use repellent, it's only so I can avoid ... the stinging sensation ... Maybe I brought so many [cans] because I didn't know when I was going to return. ... When I die, they should put a can of it inside my coffin..."
So he doesn't care if he dies. Malaria is fatal; so is life; he will die anyway. If it meant "such is life", he'd be saying: "malaria can be fatal, but oh well, I won't let that bother me!" which doesn't jive with the rest. Equinox ◑ 05:23, 22 March 2018 (UTC)
- I don't see why. What's grammatically wrong with something like: "chips can be tasty, but popcorn is, too, and it's cheaper"?