Shouts From Down Under

Brimstone, smashing, and tongue lashing from the deep...

What is the difference between shouting and yelling? And why call a blog Shouts from Down Under? Does anybody know? Is there someone to telephone about this? Should we ring the police?

On this site:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090726110105AAesLvw ,

someone called HelpyMeMe gave an answer to this question, and it sounds reasonable to me.

The emotions behind them are that which makes them differ.

Here they all are listed in order of aggression and emotion.

Shout:

Can either be friendly, or a slight aggressive manner of speaking. Loud to ensure attention, but still with a sense of self-respect.

Yell:

Aggressive, loud, and usually caused by anger.

Scream:

The epitome. Loudest, and used either when horror-struck, in fear, anger or hatred. No sense of self-conscience is present anymore, just screaming in order to gain attention/message across.
Can also be a reflex act.

In short:

One would not scream/yell above a crowd/over a distance to greet someone, but shout.
One would not yell out of surprise, but shout/scream, the latter being an act of reflex.
One would not yell/shout when one is attacked, but scream.
One would not scream at someone for a minor act lacking discipline, but shout.

Today (just now, about 1/4 to 5pm Aussie Eastern Time) I was prompted, pleasantly, by Joy-the Harpy Witch to read posted link:

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/when-flaws-go-too-far-avoiding-unlike...

Shout is one of my favourite words. There is something faintly comical about it, even if the plot has a very sober tone, and the writer has done their bestest to wipe that smile off your face. I still have an uncomfortable urge to laugh, or at least have my mouth twitch, a smile trying to force it's way into my facial muscles.

If people are having an argument for real, and if there are major issues at stake, major life concerns being bandied about, then shouting loses its (somewhat hysterical) mirth instantly.
If there is news of an accident, or we have such a thing happen ourselves, then the funny side of shouting disappears, seemingly for ever.

So perhaps shouting shouldn't be my favourite word, according to that logic. Maybe I'm immature and a little off kilter, pushing the limits of gaiety or self appointed comedy, a failed skit candidate, in having this illogical idea of that word making me feel gooey with gratefulness.

There is another word that teams up with shouting and yelling.

Thundering. You can imagine someone's purple face, bulging eyes, towering torso and gnashing nippers, mouth wide open as their utterances descend on us like great boulders of wrath from above.

Thundering.

I can almost hear it now, for real. In fact, it is real. There is a massive thunder storm outside.

And if I don't finish this blog and get offline, I'll be the one shouting. That's if anyone notices after yesterdays blog about prayers.

Prayers are something I don't want to use as a subject of mockery or being frivolous.

It might be best if I answered mine own in this case and used plain old common sense. Disconnect NOW.

Prepare for the grimness people. Yes, pay your dues or be shouted at. Yelled down to, roared and thundered upon. That's right. Until you're unconscious. (ok, those tangents were a bit weird, but I just felt like saying it)



Sparky