If you feel like binding yourself and have the time for it - because if you are interested in language, once you start this book you will not be able to put it down until you have read the last word - get yourself a copy of Guy Deutscher's "The Unfolding of Words". One of his hypotheses is that language is similar to a coral reef, where the living forms thrive on top of their predecessors. Expressions appear as metaphores and then take on concrete meanings. All languages seem to function alike which supports Chomsky's ideas of natavism.
BTW Danielcg's entry made me split a gut - awesome! And as a fluent German speaker, I would like to add that modern German is in a certain sense a form of Esperanto of the German dialects. A great deal of modern usage is metacognitive reflection on the construction of terms based on foregone ones. That for me is the essence of Esperanto. Now that Esperanto has a life of its own, in the sense that its spirit forms the way we express things intentionally internationally, we should listen to Luther's advice to Catholics and non-Catholics alike, hehe. But that is why - me thinks - some of us complain that Esperanto is too European. So, non-Europeans - pick up Esperanto, grab the ball and run with it! Give it your twist and lead us out of the plains of Euro-centrism

robbkvasnak:If you feel like binding yourself and have the time for it - because if you are interested in language, once you start this book you will not be able to put it down until you have read the last word - get yourself a copy of Guy Deutscher's "The Unfolding of Words".

Are you sure that is not The Unfolding of Language, which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed and second the recommendation for? I cannot find any listing anywhere for "The Unfolding of Words" by Guy Deutscher. (I have also read one of his other books.)

haydn:
You know, some kind of an online "idiom-bank" would be cool.

Epic idea! When I notice something lacking, or think there is a need for something, I do my best to meet the need. Which results in me currently having more projects, whether working alone or helping someone else, than I can actually manage, but this seems worthwhile. Trouble is, I don't know much about webpages and stuff, but maybe we could find someone who could help us!

erinja:
I'm not overly concerned with translating punny or witty expressions into Esperanto. Every language will have expressions that sound elegant in that language, that simply won't translate in such a nice way. It doesn't bother me.

"Esperanto, edzperanto" is an expression that wouldn't translate in a clever or elegant way from Esperanto into any other language.

I feel the same way. Though it did cause me a little trouble, when I was doing Ana Renkontas and Zam wanted me to tell him something funny; most of the jokes I know are puns of some sort! So I ended up just translating something amuzing my little brother said.