MG: aphorisms and short sentences... are they meaningless? Or are they a way to express something that can't be expressed otherwise? in the extrem case:"salt" and "give me the salt please?"... are these two expressions equivalent? and why or why not?
Definition from Wikipedia: An aphorism is a wise saying that bears repetition - related to proverb, saying.
So, in your case, I don't see "salt" as an aphorism (we call shortened sentences ellipses in German grammar) - but in general: Yes, I like them, specially if I can't grasp their meaning at once and have to think - or if I see various ways of interpretation... or if I have to laugh at Cleglaw's Hamlet or Bob Dylan Cleglaw's aphorism. Sometimes aphorisms hit the nail on the spot in a laconic, witty, sardonic, simple etc. way - much shorter than the way I can write to explain my views.
@Cleg, please, show me more of your assortion of Clegorisms <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" /> Kiya
Quote
Aphids (superfamily Aphidoidea) are small plant-sucking insects. There are several families and numerous genera. They are generally soft-bodied with long thin legs; adults have lacy transparent wings. Most of the aphids one sees in a plant infestation are juveniles.
Many aphids are serious pests in agriculture and forestry, and an annoyance for gardeners. Important natural predators include ladybirds, hoverfly larvae and lacewings.
Definitely, Cleg <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> - aphorism lovers are aphids: an annoyance to the gardeners of speech <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />
