VOOZH about

URL: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/suchlike.12500/

⇱ Suchlike | WordReference Forums

Menu
Install the app
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

Suchlike

Marcio_Osorio

Banned
Portuguese
Hello!

"A locker that usually contained paper, ink, and suchlike equipment"

By "and suchlike", what does the writer of the sentence mean? Would one expect to find "other assortment of related items such as a stapler, paper clips, used ball point pens, a nicked plastic ruler, all so or not so neatly fitting or placed in the writer's locker"?

Thank you.
Marcio_Osorio said:
Hello!

"A locker that usually contained paper, ink, and suchlike equipment"

By "and suchlike", what does the writer of the sentence mean? Would one expect to find "other assortment of related items such as a stapler, paper clips, used ball point pens, a nicked plastic ruler, all so or not so neatly fitting or placed in the writer's locker"?

Thank you.

I have learned a new word. I have never seen suchlike used before. I understand it, though. You can replace it with the word similar and yes, you have the correct meaning. It is saying that you can find items similar to paper, ink and other writing equipment found in the locker.
Marcio_Osorio said:
Would one expect to find "other assortment of related items such as a stapler, paper clips, used ball point pens, a nicked plastic ruler, all so or not so neatly fitting or placed in the writer's locker"?

Yes. Just like what jacinta said, you can use the word similar or even related.
Marcio- I would suggest not trying to add suchlike to your vocabulary because even if you learn how to use it right, not many people will understand you besides Sharon 👁 Smile :)
.. it would sound kind of cool though 👁 Smile :)
if you do use suchlike, use it only in writing.. I'm not sure it has ever once been actually spoken (oops I just said it.. ok maybe once)👁 Big Grin :D
Yaya said:
Marcio- I would suggest not trying to add suchlike to your vocabulary because even if you learn how to use it right, not many people will understand you besides Sharon 👁 Smile :)
.. it would sound kind of cool though 👁 Smile :)
if you do use suchlike, use it only in writing.. I'm not sure it has ever once been actually spoken (oops I just said it.. ok maybe once)👁 Big Grin :D
I agree! I see it in the dictionary and I still don't believe it! I think especially from a person speaking English as a second language it would sound strange to use this word.
I also agree. In spoken English we just use "such". For example, "His locker has paper and such."
You'll be ok using 'suchlike ' in conversation on this side of the Atlantic though.
Another popular alternative would be ' what have you' ( .. you can buy nuts and bolts and what have you at the hadrware store) 👁 Smile :-)
Jonegy said:
You'll be ok using 'suchlike ' in conversation on this side of the Atlantic though.
Another popular alternative would be ' what have you' ( .. you can buy nuts and bolts and what have you at the hadrware store) 👁 Smile :-)

Yes I was just getting ready to write just that - particularly since I saw that everyone saying "don't know this word" were from the US - when I got to this thread at the end. I certainly would use the word.

Isn't it funny how these words can be popular one side of the Atlantic and virtually unheard of on the other? The one that came to my attention the other day in this forum with "it's my bad" for "it's my fault" which many US speakers were completely happy with - I'd never heard the phrase at all!
Jonegy and Timpeac,

I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic!! 👁 Stick Out Tongue :p
I'm just glad to know that I am not the only person who knows or has used this word. Growing up, I went from reading Roald Dahl to Charles Dickens, it must have influenced my vocabulary a bit. 👁 Big Grin :D
Or, I might have picked it up from watching Monty Python.

Sharon.👁 Smile :)
Americans know the word, but it is a bit too formal for everyday conversations.

Instead of "what have you", we would say "whatnot" (or more likely, "whatever").
timpeac said:
"it's my bad" for "it's my fault" which many US speakers were completely happy with - I'd never heard the phrase at all!
Comes from the movie Clueless, so the date and genre should tell you a lot. BTW, it should be simply, "My bad."
lsp said:
BTW, it should be simply, "My bad."
"It's my bad." or "That's my bad." work too (if you are talking about "it" or "that").
Nick said:
"It's my bad." or "That's my bad." work too (if you are talking about "it" or "that").
You're very pleasant to disagree with, so I think I shall have to do it again. The expression - when it was "cool" would be rendered very "uncool" by adding a subject. But I see we agree elsewhere so I think it's coming out even. 👁 Smile :)
👁 Wink ;)
I'll back you up Isp. My bad. It cannot be used with it's or that's. If you do, you shouldn't be using the phrase at all.
smorodina said:
I also like "somesuch". I have probably used it a couple of times👁 Smile :)
Me, too (rarely), but I think it doesn't go with tangible nouns. You might look in a locker for [insert list of things] and other sundries or suchlike, but not somesuch. Here's how I would use that: "He made excuses for not going to the party saying he had a headache or a sorethroat or somesuch nonsense."
Yaya said:
Marcio- I would suggest not trying to add suchlike to your vocabulary because even if you learn how to use it right, not many people will understand you besides Sharon 👁 Smile :)
.. it would sound kind of cool though 👁 Smile :)
if you do use suchlike, use it only in writing.. I'm not sure it has ever once been actually spoken (oops I just said it.. ok maybe once)👁 Big Grin :D
That's a bit of a sweeping statement, Yaya! 👁 Wink ;)


"Suchlike" is used all the time, in my experience --

either as a pronoun:
cash,savings,shares and suchlike are treated as investments

The explanations of sounds and spellings, local variations, grammatical quirks and suchlike are very helpful

going to concerts and plays and suchlike
or as a determiner:
quilts, blankets, mattresses and suchlike items

fractals and suchlike nonsense

priests and rabbis and suchlike people
F
lsp said:
"He made excuses for not going to the party saying he had a headache or a sorethroat or somesuch nonsense."
I'd write that, though, as "...a headache or a or nonsense". Just my preference. 👁 Smile :)


F
Focalist said:
That's a bit of a sweeping statement, Yaya! 👁 Wink ;)


"Suchlike" is used all the time, in my experience --
I guess we should just continue to remind Marcio to keep this difference in mind based on whether he will be speaking English with someone British or American.
Focalist said:
That's a bit of a sweeping statement, Yaya! 👁 Wink ;)

"Suchlike" is used all the time, in my experience --
F

Focalist said:
I'd write that, though, as "...a headache or a or nonsense". Just my preference. 👁 Smile :)

F

ok I guess it must just be me 👁 Smile :)
But focalist, you say "I'd write that" but would you ever SAY suchlike?
Nothing wrong with being influenced by old Roald and Charlie .....

Monty Python ??? very highly reccommended ( especially the 'immobile' parrot )

For a little light poetry - could I reccommend Spike Milligan
Back
Top Bottom