Not really political today but it is something we all use, and is prevelent in politics.
BBC NEWS Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.
Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use and could date back thousands of years.
Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct.
They believe "squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" could become obsolete first.
Someone living today would be able to communicate in basic terms with someone living thousands of years ago - such as in the Stone Age - but would have difficulty with more complex concepts, the study found.
Research leader Mark Pagel, of the University of Reading, told the Times newspaper: "If a time traveller wanted to go back in time to a specific date, we could probably draw up a little phrasebook of the modern words that are likely to have sounded similar back then.
"You wouldn't be able to discuss anything very complicated, but it might be enough to get you out of a tight spot."
I think they are too late, have you ever received a text message from a teenager?
And just for Rita Pal and the team at NHS Behind the headlines here are some words that cause the GMC and the BMA to spend hours lurking on the website.
I HATE THE GMC, and I HATE THE BMA.
“It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word.” Andrew Jackson
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
BBC NEWS Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.
Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use and could date back thousands of years.
Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct.
They believe "squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" could become obsolete first.
Someone living today would be able to communicate in basic terms with someone living thousands of years ago - such as in the Stone Age - but would have difficulty with more complex concepts, the study found.
Research leader Mark Pagel, of the University of Reading, told the Times newspaper: "If a time traveller wanted to go back in time to a specific date, we could probably draw up a little phrasebook of the modern words that are likely to have sounded similar back then.
"You wouldn't be able to discuss anything very complicated, but it might be enough to get you out of a tight spot."
I think they are too late, have you ever received a text message from a teenager?
And just for Rita Pal and the team at NHS Behind the headlines here are some words that cause the GMC and the BMA to spend hours lurking on the website.
I HATE THE GMC, and I HATE THE BMA.
“It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word.” Andrew Jackson
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
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