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Materinaduszka Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
What does a cricle do?
Hi Everyone.
I need a verb that goes with the noun "circle" in its abstract sense and expresses the fact that - to translate it literally from Polish - the circle closes.
For example, in Polish we've got two ways of saying that something is a viscious circle: either by simply calling it a viscious circle, or explaining the phenomenon (e.g. TV gives us crap, we get used to it and want more, so they give it to us) and finishing off with a comment: "and the circle closes". I don't think this phrase is natural in English - could anyone suggest anything more suitable?
Take care
Marta
I need a verb that goes with the noun "circle" in its abstract sense and expresses the fact that - to translate it literally from Polish - the circle closes.
For example, in Polish we've got two ways of saying that something is a viscious circle: either by simply calling it a viscious circle, or explaining the phenomenon (e.g. TV gives us crap, we get used to it and want more, so they give it to us) and finishing off with a comment: "and the circle closes". I don't think this phrase is natural in English - could anyone suggest anything more suitable?
Take care
Marta
Top answer
In AE at any rate, we call it a vicious cycle, not circle, and when speaking of it we focus on the process of creation rather than the cycle itself. You eat a candy bar and the sugar gives you a burst of energy, but an hour later you experience an energy slump, which makes you want another candy bar - this creates a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows. ")
- In AE at any rate, we call it a vicious cycle, not circle, and when speaking of it we focus on the process of creation rather than the cycle itself.
- You eat a candy bar and the sugar gives you a burst of energy, but an hour later you experience an energy slump, which makes you want another candy bar - this creates a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows.
- ")
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14 Answers
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In AE at any rate, we call it a vicious cycle, not circle, and when speaking of it we focus on the process of creation rather than the cycle itself.
You eat a candy bar and the sugar gives you a burst of energy, but an hour later you experience an energy slump, which makes you want another candy bar - this creates a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows. (Or, "this sets up a vici
You eat a candy bar and the sugar gives you a burst of energy, but an hour later you experience an energy slump, which makes you want another candy bar - this creates a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows. (Or, "this sets up a vici
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First, we do call it a vicious cirlcle. Actually, I would say that vicious circle is far more common than vicious cycle.
Second, I love 'the circle closes'. It has a poetic charm and is perfectly understandable.
e.g. TV gives us ****, we get used to it and want more, so they give it to us and the circle closes.
I'd say go with it...I think that I may start using it
Second, I love 'the circle closes'. It has a poetic charm and is perfectly understandable.
e.g. TV gives us ****, we get used to it and want more, so they give it to us and the circle closes.
I'd say go with it...I think that I may start using it
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Thank you, Delmobile.
Cwtch, thanks a lot, though I didn't mean to introduce any amendments to English language
But if You
Cwtch, thanks a lot, though I didn't mean to introduce any amendments to English language
But if You00
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I'm sorry - of course we do call it a vicious circle too. I don't know what I was thinking.
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materinaduszkaCwtch, thanks a lot, though I didn't mean to introduce any amendments to English language
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materinaduszkaTV gives us ****, we get used to it and want more, so they give it to us) and finishing off with a comment:And we're right back where we started from.
This is the English equivalent that comes to mind first for me when talking about a vicious circle.
Nevertheless, there is also an expression in English that comes closer
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Okay, you guys need to go read "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" now!
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I guess I represent the minority opinion.
I understand a closed system, in which, eg., freon successively condenses and evaporates ad infinitum.
This is a good thing. It's intentionally circular, in the interest of efficiency and conservation.
On the other hand, "viscious" is a pejorative. The abuse of television by consumers and producers is describe
I understand a closed system, in which, eg., freon successively condenses and evaporates ad infinitum.
This is a good thing. It's intentionally circular, in the interest of efficiency and conservation.
On the other hand, "viscious" is a pejorative. The abuse of television by consumers and producers is describe
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