words and phrases I misunderstood as a child

[calimac]

A couple of these came recently to memory

Out of wedlock = as a result of wedlock (You can see how confusing that was)

Approximately = exactly, precisely

Contemporary = successor, imitator, in the manner of

Scenic = something in what you're looking at is moving. If the view is still, it's not scenic.

Blind spot = if you look in that direction, you will literally be struck blind. It wasn't clear to me if glancing away would restore sight, so be careful! (I can specifically remember thinking this on an occasion I can pin down to when I was 7 years old.)

Comments

[pink_halen]

I love a line from Garrison Keilor. "It wasn't that he was born 'out of wedlock' just not far enough into wedlock.

[calimac]

"Rossini was born five months after his parents were married, and it taught him a lesson. He was never early for another appointment for his whole life." (Victor Borge)