scarcely yet gather again?

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the loiterers were scarcely yet gathered again.

does this mean they gathered again or not?

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Type: Question • Score: 6 • Views: 4,103 • Replies: 24

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@lizfeehily,

I take it to mean that that they had gathered again, and very recently.

Whatever it means, it's not an extremely common way of expressing it.

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@lizfeehily,

Quote:

the loiterers were scarcely yet gathered again.

does this mean they gathered again or not?

Some more context would help, Liz. I'd say that it means that there hasn't/hadn't been much regathering at the time it was described.

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@lizfeehily,

I know "scarcely yet" as a phrase meaning barely.

I've heard it in the context referenced in this thesis

https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/6163

Quote:

"Scarcely yet a people": State policy in citizenship education, 1947-1982

I also heard it used colloquially by older women in the Ottawa Valley in the 1960's and 1970's when they talked about ingredients being scarcely yet mixed. For example, you mix muffin ingredients until they're scarcely yet mixed - which means just barely stirred together.

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@lizfeehily,

A very awkward phrase. Avoid, I'd say.

1 Reply

Liz is not using the expression, she's trying to translate that fool Saki into Chinese. In this context it means that they did gather again, but have just done so.

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thank you.

1 Reply

@lizfeehily,

I'm very impressed by the helpful approach of so many a2k participants

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@McTag,

Useless information once again, McTag. People just simply do not avoid natural uses of the English language.

1 Reply

@JTT,

That's natural to you? Go ahead and use it, then. See how many times you can work it into your daily spiel. Good luck.

1 Reply

@McTag,

Quote:

That's natural to you? Go ahead and use it, then. See how many times you can work it into your daily spiel. Good luck.

We don't have to use every collocation in the English language for any one of them to be part of the English language. There are untold numbers that you have never used in your many years of existence on the planet but that doesn't mean they aren't English or they are not capable of use.

I had scarcely yet to begin reading McTag's response when ... .

I had scarcely begun reading McTag's response when ... .

1 Reply

@JTT,

Good effort. Though awkward. But not scarcely yet as awkward as the original phrase "the loiterers were scarcely yet gathered again".

1 Reply

@McTag,

Quote:

"the loiterers were scarcely yet gathered again"

What does it mean?

1 Reply

@JTT,

Exactly. If you have to wonder, it's an infelicitous and overly-complex phrase.

Setanta made the most useful comment; he pointed out that the lady was only trying to translate it. So my remark about its advisability and possible re-use was superfluous, unnecessary. Correct. Guilty.

1 Reply

@McTag,

Quote:

Exactly. If you have to wonder, it's an infelicitous and overly-complex phrase.

That wasn't a question I needed an answer for.

I was wondering what your take on the meaning was. The only puzzle there is is that there isn't enough context. The collocation itself is completely clear.

1 Reply

@JTT,

So it's clear, but it's open to interpretation depending on context?

I see.

1 Reply

@McTag,

Quote:

So it's clear, but it's open to interpretation depending on context?

Yes, just like,

Presently means

1. Before long; in a short while (the doctor will see you presently)
2. At the present time; now (we are presently waiting in line for our turn)

Both meanings are correct in both American and British English, but (1) is by far the majority usage in BrE and (2) in AmE.

http://able2know.org/topic/221677-1#post-5431689

and the nuances of thousands/millions?? of other words and phrases in English.

Quote:

I see.

I'm happy that you have come to, what appears to be, your senses.

1 Reply

@JTT,

Americans don't really do irony, do they?

1 Reply

@McTag,

And apparently you don't do honesty, McTag. What is wrong with, "Well, I guess a made a mistake"?

2 Replies

@JTT,

Quote:

What is wrong with, "Well, I guess a made a mistake"?

Well, I guess I made a mistake - "Well, I guess a made a mistake"

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scarcely yet gather again?

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