langue / traffic

[Carol]

Catlady wrote: <snip>
> I'm rather ignorant about Christianity, but it occurred to me that
for the celebration of Pentecost, pastor may have *intended* to imply
something revolutionary, a whole new *kind* of language. Because isn't
Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and they
started speaking in a language that came from God?


Carol responds:

I can't speak for the pastor's intention or her knowledge of French,
my own being very limited, but, yes, Pentecost celebrates the moment
when the Holy spirit descended on Jesus' disciples and they began
speaking in tongues. So the idea of speaking a new language, however
she intended it, is appropriate to the liturgical season. Good catch.

Here's a link to a page explaining the season of Pentecost and its
origins:

http://www.saintgeorgeschurch.org/cal_pentecost.htm

Carol earlier:
 
> << "freeways" (as opposed to toll roads, which are, I think, mostly
an Eastern phenomenon)  >>
> 
Catlady:
> The name 'freeway' means free of stop signs and cross traffic, not
free of payment. <snip>

Carol responds:

Apparently, it has both meanings. Merriam-Webster Online gives these
two definitions for "freeway":

"Function:
    noun 
"Date:
    circa 1930

"1: an expressway with fully controlled access 2: a toll-free highway"

So a freeway, as I understand it, is both free of obstructions (like
traffic lights and intersections) and free of charge. Reminds me of
driving on the "right" side of the road, which, for Americans, means
both the right-hand side and the correct side.

Carol, resisting the temptation to discuss ex-husbands but empathizing
with Catlady in that regard nonetheless