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Cursed with a stammer

 

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.

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  #1
Old February 23, 2011, 02:56 AM
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Cursed with a stammer
Is that a saying?

The sentence is:

She was cursed with a stammer, unmarried but far from stupid.

Thanks.
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  #2
Old February 23, 2011, 03:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
She was cursed with a stammer, unmarried but far from stupid.
Yes, "cursed with a stammer" is quite common. Presumably there used to be a belief that a stammer was imposed as a curse (maldición), by a witch or the devil, but I can't find a reference.
Last edited by Perikles; February 23, 2011 at 03:08 AM. Reason: correct spelling of 'witch' before anyone notices
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  #3
Old February 23, 2011, 03:15 AM
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Then, it would be more appropriate "by" (by a stammer), instead "with".
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  #4
Old February 23, 2011, 03:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Then, it would be more appropriate "by" (by a stammer), instead "with".
No, a by indicates the agent in the passive voice, a with indicates what the curse consists of:

The witch cursed the man with a stammer

The man was cursed with a stammer by the witch

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  #5
Old February 23, 2011, 04:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
No, a by indicates the agent in the passive voice, a with indicates what the curse consists of:

The witch cursed the man with a stammer

The man was cursed with a stammer by the witch

I referred that the man was cursed by a stammer. Something similar to the Spanish saying: "Me ha mirado un tuerto".
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  #6
Old February 23, 2011, 11:38 AM
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A stammer is a speech problem. Someone who has the problem is a stammerer.
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  #7
Old February 23, 2011, 11:53 AM
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I'm sorry, I thought it meant 'tartamudo' instead of 'tartamudeo'. Now I see it. Thanks.
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  #8
Old February 23, 2011, 11:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
I'm sorry, I thought it meant 'tartamudo' instead of 'tartamudeo'. Now I see it. Thanks.
No wonder you were confused
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  #9
Old February 23, 2011, 11:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
No wonder you were confused
In other words, please?
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  #10
Old February 23, 2011, 12:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
In other words, please?
If you had thought a stammer was somebody who stammered (a stammerer), it is not surprising that my explanation with a witch was confusing.
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  #11
Old February 23, 2011, 12:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
If you had thought a stammer was somebody who stammered (a stammerer), it is not surprising that my explanation with a witch was confusing.
Oh, yes, I understand. Yes, I was thinking of the above Spanish saying.
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