Post by: Perd Hapley on October 04, 2006, 11:15:35 AM
Post by: AJ Dual on October 04, 2006, 11:39:09 AM
But seriously, calling it "Conceal and Carry" rather than "Concealed Carry" turns the adjective "Concealed" into a verb (to) "Conceal".
That turns the adjective into an additional action with intent, and tries to make it sinister. Just like when anti-gun newspapers ran with headlines "HIDDEN GUNS DEBATED IN LEGISLATURE TODAY" etc.
It's anti-gunner semantics...
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 04, 2006, 11:46:28 AM
Quote from: AJ Dual
anti-gun newspapers
Redundancy is another of my pet peeves. 
realtor: realutur
masonry: masonary
Please feel free to add more.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on October 04, 2006, 12:44:36 PM
Quote from: fistful
Redundancy is another of my pet peeves.
realtor: realutur
masonry: masonary
Please feel free to add more.
"Adjetives", those words used to describe nouns, pronounced without the 'c'. This is my biggest language abuse pet peeve.realtor: realutur
masonry: masonary
Please feel free to add more.
"Axe", as in "Axe me a question."
"Our" vs "are"
"There" vs "their" vs "they're"
"Then" vs "than"
My grandfather always answeres the phone by saying "yellow" instead of "hello".
Post by: DJJ on October 04, 2006, 12:49:19 PM
Post by: Strings on October 04, 2006, 02:00:40 PM
Post by: Mabs2 on October 04, 2006, 02:24:36 PM
Masonry: I pronounce it "may-son-ree"
Adjectives: I kind of pronounce it with the c.
Axe/Ask: I choose "ask"
Jewelry: I pronounce it "jewel-ree"
Weaponry: "Weapon-ree"
"Our" vs "are"
"There" vs "their" vs "they're"
"Then" vs "than"
I know all the differences, and even pronounce them differently.
I think I'm close to right.
Post by: grampster on October 04, 2006, 03:01:04 PM
Draw for drawer.
Using the masculine for objects. ie: May I see you license, sir? Yep, lemme get him out. (This particular ascribation makes my skin crawl)
Zink for sink.
Post by: Standing Wolf on October 04, 2006, 05:49:48 PM
Post by: grampster on October 04, 2006, 06:23:24 PM
Post by: garrettwc on October 04, 2006, 06:25:24 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 04, 2006, 06:45:39 PM
Of course, dictionaries are sometimes wrong. My dictionary says "woman" can be an adjective. This is unacceptable. "Woman engineer" should be "female engineer." A woman engineer is someone who designs, builds and/or maintains women. Sounds like an interesting job. But you wouldn't say man engineer, man lawyer, man nurse or man cook, unless these people were designing, practicing law about, nursing, or cooking men.
What annoys me lately is that we Americans stress our words all wrong. PrestEEjis should be PRESTijis. I'll annoy you all with further examples as they come to mind.
Post by: Monkeyleg on October 04, 2006, 08:19:20 PM
Of course, us Northerners will have a much harder time learning the correct pronunciations, since Southernors have kept the British language most intact. (My opinion only).
"Of course, dictionaries are sometimes wrong. My dictionary says "woman" can be an adjective. This is unacceptable. "Woman engineer" should be "female engineer." A woman engineer is someone who designs, builds and/or maintains women. Sounds like an interesting job."
If you ever run into one of those female engineers, please ask her to call me for input.
Also, if this is the most contentious issue we all face, then we all need real lives.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 04, 2006, 08:23:50 PM
Post by: Monkeyleg on October 04, 2006, 10:51:27 PM
If so, you've very cleverly invited me to debate three entirely separate topics: illegal immigration, illegal drugs, and abortion.
You should run for public office, as most office-holders would lose any debates they would have with you.
However, as this thread is devoted to the use (or misuse) of the King's English, I think that we should take any discussions about illegal immigration or illegal drugs to the threads devoted to those topics.
As for abortion, that is one issue I just don't want to get involved with in online forums, and for reasons that should be obvious (ie, I'm not going to change anyone's mind), selfish (I don't want to spend time trying to change someone's mind), and then reasons that are entirely personal.
Now that all that is aside, I would invite you to visit the South Side of Milwaukee. I don't know where you grew up, but you certainly wouldn't understand English as it is spoken here.
"I went by my ma's house today." No, that doesn't mean that the person speaking just drove past his/her mother's home; it means the person actually went into the mother's home.
"How 'bout dose Packers, eh?" No, this doesn't mean that the person speaking watched the game. Actually, it doesn't even mean that the Green Bay Packers even played a game recently. It's more a form of social greeting. I think the British use a phrase more along the lines of, "Good morning."
"Cold enough fer ya?" This is a line you'll generally hear from those whose power didn't get cut out during a blizzard, and who didn't have to thaw out the corpses of their parents or children before autopsies could be conducted.
"Hot enough fer ya?" This line is one you'll hear from guys with 42" waistsbands who insist on wearing Speedo's while well into their 60's. They mow their lawns with pride (not to mention the nausea of their neighbors).
"I'm going down by K-Mart." This is a bad message on many levels. It means that you're going to get cheap underwear that will leave your privates in uncomfortable positions in a matter of days. If the item bought is electrical, keep a fire extinguisher close at hand. (This assumes that the appliance even functions to begin with).
Worse yet is K-Mart's ad slogan, "you can't do better than K-Mart."
Now that's motivation. If that's my future, why not slit my wrists tonight?
"Hey, look at her!" Granted, this is probably a phrase uttered by guys in every country, no matter the language.
On the South Side of Milwaukee, though, it has a slightly different meaning. As in, "hey, look at her! She ain't so ugly."
I know that if Barbara or Trisha read this thread, I'm going to catch hell.
But it's the truth: the people on the South Side of Milwaukee are ugly. If Hizzoner the Mayor gets his way, we may soon see issuance of shampoo as one of the city's social programs.
I often see some handsome Juan Valdez-style mustaches. Problem is, they're on the women.
None of this is to say that I'm in any way good-looking. I resemble the southbound end of a northbound horse.
But, the South Side of Milwaukee is still a mix of cultures and languages.
I just wish the predominent language could be English.
Verste?
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 03:27:33 AM
Like now. Despite my high respect for the value of life, abortion may be a necessary measure to control the population of the people you describe.
Post by: 280plus on October 05, 2006, 04:11:41 AM
Post by: Stand_watie on October 05, 2006, 04:17:21 AM
Here in Texas folks frequently say "CCW" when it's actually called a "Concealed Handgun License".
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 04:30:40 AM
Quote from: fistful
What annoys me lately is that we Americans stress our words all wrong. PrestEEjis should be PRESTijis. I'll annoy you all with further examples as they come to mind.
Ooooh! Another one. irreVOCable should be irREVocable.
irreFUTable should be irREFutable.
Post by: grampster on October 05, 2006, 04:38:44 AM
Pennsylvania Dutch for "Come to dinner". -- Ma and Pa are on the table and half 'et already.
Post by: charby on October 05, 2006, 04:49:14 AM
examples
Washington is pronounched Warshington, "I'm going to go warsh my hands."
Runining is Runnin
my home town is Burlington but pronouced Burlin-ton
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 05:01:08 AM
Charby: That's popular around St. Louis, too. Also, we don't have corporations here. We have carparations.
Post by: El Tejon on October 05, 2006, 05:32:46 AM
The next time you hear "conceal and carry" ask the speaker about his bloodline, education and employment. I believe it will clear things up for you.
charby, where does your Senator get that pronounciation of "national"? He keeps pronouncing it "naaayyy-shun-nul" on NPR. It is slowly driving me insane.
Good luck tracking the source. I am still e-mailing professors in the South about the mispronounciation of my first name. My name is Kirk, however I receive mail addressed to "Kirt". I could understand "Kurt" or "Curt", but am at a loss over "Kirt".
Most likely these people have never known any "Kirk"s as it is a noble and glorious name reserved for only those of an aristocratic nature. These people see my name in print but cannot comprehend a "Kirk" but only "Kurt" so mash the names together. At least, this is my working theory.
Post by: charby on October 05, 2006, 05:33:24 AM
Post by: El Tejon on October 05, 2006, 05:47:21 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 05:47:50 AM
When my dad gets out the tape mayshur, he mayshurs the lenth of things.
Actually, he doesn't say lenth or strenth. That is common among Black folk. Strangely, though, they seem to be the only Americans that say "aunt" properly. I address my aunts as if they were insects.
Post by: Iain on October 05, 2006, 06:03:13 AM
This one may be a little more controversial - the use of the phrase 'I could care less [about what you think]'. I know some claim it is 'ironic', but it really does imply that you do care what the other thinks.
Post by: charby on October 05, 2006, 06:10:12 AM
-C
Post by: Tallpine on October 05, 2006, 06:50:07 AM
I have a theory that the "you all / ya'll" in Southern lingo originates from the fact that the immigrant Gaels had singular and plural form of "you" ("thu" and "sibh"). Confounded by the single english word, they started adding "all" when speaking to several people. Just my theory and I'm stickin' to it.
That's odd, El Tejon ... I have a great-grandfather that went by "Kirt". His official middle initial was "K" but I dunno what that was supposed to stand for. Worse than that, his name got passed down among some of the family as "Clark" which was quite confusing for a while until I figured out the error.
So just be glad you are not called "Clark"
You should tell folks it is "Kirk" as in "Kirk Douglas" - or doesn't anybody remember him anymore?
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 06:55:33 AM
Iain,
The correct phrase is "I couldn't care less."
Post by: El Tejon on October 05, 2006, 06:56:59 AM
Tall, a professor at the University of South Carolina told me that "Kirt" is lesser used Scottish name. That came to the US via the Scot-Irish immigration wave in the 1700s.
It is allegedly still found in the hills down there. Could be where they are geting it. The name "Kirt" is stuck in some collective memory of their kinfolk from down South.
Post by: charby on October 05, 2006, 08:04:46 AM
Quote from: El Tejon
charby, I am always annoyed at NPR. I consider it training. If I can listen to National People's Radio without throwing anything out my office window or kicking a trash can, I can handle anything.
Tall, a professor at the University of South Carolina told me that "Kirt" is lesser used Scottish name. That came to the US via the Scot-Irish immigration wave in the 1700s.
It is allegedly still found in the hills down there. Could be where they are geting it. The name "Kirt" is stuck in some collective memory of their kinfolk from down South.
I tink use gets me and fistyfull confuzed wit em each utter
Tall, a professor at the University of South Carolina told me that "Kirt" is lesser used Scottish name. That came to the US via the Scot-Irish immigration wave in the 1700s.
It is allegedly still found in the hills down there. Could be where they are geting it. The name "Kirt" is stuck in some collective memory of their kinfolk from down South.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 08:08:05 AM
Quote from: El Tejon
Where does the ignorance come from? My answer is a synthesis of inbreeding, laziness and illiteracy. The next time you hear "conceal and carry" ask the speaker about his bloodline, education and employment. I believe it will clear things up for you.
I don't think it's limited to the uneducated and lower-class. I've heard lawmakers and proffessional broadcasters use the phrase.
Post by: El Tejon on October 05, 2006, 08:21:49 AM
Post by: Iain on October 05, 2006, 08:23:00 AM
On a totally related side note - I knew a boy at school called Clark Allen. School registers being surname first, calling attendance could really confuse substitutes.
Post by: charby on October 05, 2006, 08:51:54 AM
Quote from: El Tejon
There's a difference???
Yeah he's a neo con and I'm not
Post by: JonnyB on October 05, 2006, 08:59:09 AM
Quote from: fistful
Interesting theory, Tallpine. If it works that way, then there must be a lot of long o's that fled the Saint Louis region. (Highway 44 is farty-far.) What happened to those o's?
Those letters have made their way to Minnesota. While some people have a (this is hard in print) 'baeot' at their dock, Minnesotans have a (stretch out the word) 'boh-ote'. Very long, very round 'ohs'. I caught no end of hell from a Maryland native about (abowt) it. I've tried for several years (somewhat successfully) to lessen the roundness of my Os.Even the state name - Minnah-sO-tuh - has it when spoken by natives. Others likely pronounce it Minnasoda, with no particular emphasis. Listen to our former governor, turned hairball, Jesse Ventura, when he speaks. In no other way, though, is he a typical Minnesotan. Really. I ain't foolin' none about this.
jb
Post by: Tallpine on October 05, 2006, 09:53:51 AM
Quote from: El Tejon
Tall, a professor at the University of South Carolina told me that "Kirt" is lesser used Scottish name. That came to the US via the Scot-Irish immigration wave in the 1700s.
It is allegedly still found in the hills down there. Could be where they are geting it. The name "Kirt" is stuck in some collective memory of their kinfolk from down South.
Well, South Carolina (late 1700's) is where I traced my dad's family back to ... but I'm stuck there and can't find leads back any further. It is allegedly still found in the hills down there. Could be where they are geting it. The name "Kirt" is stuck in some collective memory of their kinfolk from down South.
I was also interested to learn that some expressions that I thought were just "Okie" actually came from Lowland Scots. That was my mom's family - they came over from Ulster in time for the Revolution.
Post by: Lee on October 05, 2006, 11:16:19 AM
Roun here in O-hi -uh, we like to ketch feesh, mayzure them, worsh em and thin cook em in a kittle. Fell free to stop by-here- and join us for supper.
One thing my Chicago friends say that bugs me is, "you wanna come wit"? Wit what, who, where, when?
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 11:22:40 AM
Quote from: charby
Quote from: El Tejon
There's a difference???
Yeah he's a neo con and I'm notPost by: charby on October 05, 2006, 11:39:11 AM
Post by: tyme on October 05, 2006, 11:42:16 AM
Quote
PrestEEjis should be PRESTijis
Color me confused. You're talking about "prestigious" right? I ain't ne'er heard the first syllable emphasized. I'm all for "stij" instead of "steej," but that's still the stressed syllable.Either - eye-ther or ee-ther?
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 05, 2006, 12:09:14 PM
Post by: Strings on October 05, 2006, 12:42:44 PM
>It is slowly driving me insane.<
El T, that would be a short ride backwards...
My absolute favorite phrase (my wife heard a friend's father utter it, he normally a fairly intelligent man): "Throw me down the stairs my shoes once"
Post by: Stand_watie on October 05, 2006, 05:54:22 PM
Quote from: fistful
When my dad gets out the tape mayshur, he mayshurs the lenth of things.
Actually, he doesn't say lenth or strenth. That is common among Black folk. Strangely, though, they seem to be the only Americans that say "aunt" properly. I address my aunts as if they were insects.
"Aunt" is common in New England. I think colonial areas especially, and probably was in Virginia and Carolina as well (hence blacks using it).
Actually, he doesn't say lenth or strenth. That is common among Black folk. Strangely, though, they seem to be the only Americans that say "aunt" properly. I address my aunts as if they were insects.
Post by: El Tejon on October 06, 2006, 05:39:18 AM
Wait, my watch is talking to me, I have to go.
Post by: BaxterGriffin on October 07, 2006, 06:48:02 PM
My father, an English major / former Marine / ex-cop / aspiring author / all-around well-versed person, usually pronounces "Chicago" as "Chicargo."
I'm sure if I dwell on this much longer I can turn up some quirky phraseology of my own...
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 07, 2006, 08:24:07 PM
Quote from: BaxterGriffin
"supposuvly"
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that one. "Supposably" is fairly common, too. What I find worse is that people don't know what "supposed to" actually means, so they use that phrase incorrectly.preFERably should be PREFerably.
Using "pro-life" as a noun (it is an adjective). "He doesn't believe in pro-life." Of course, I don't see the need for the euphemism, anyway. And what's with "pro-choice"? It's ridiculously vague. Just say "pro-abortion."
Post by: Stickjockey on October 08, 2006, 04:41:24 AM
Grammar: "Where's it at?"
Post by: Stand_watie on October 08, 2006, 05:06:23 AM
Quote from: Stickjockey
Spelling/pronunciation: "Hey that tanks got a really big turrent.
Grammar: "Where's it at?"
Wrong words for what they mean that I've seen on the internetGrammar: "Where's it at?"
a) "I got a big ol' whelp on the back of my neck and it hurts."
b) "I think we ought to take a different tact with that."
c) "You're loosing control man, get a grip!" (very common).
Post by: Strings on October 08, 2006, 06:54:24 AM
fistful, that comes from neither side wanting to appear "bad"...
Post by: Stand_watie on October 08, 2006, 07:05:28 AM
Quote from: Hunter Rose
...My absolute favorite phrase (my wife heard a friend's father utter it, he normally a fairly intelligent man): "Throw me down the stairs my shoes once"
He's not cajun is he?
Post by: Stand_watie on October 08, 2006, 07:16:22 AM
Post by: Stickjockey on October 08, 2006, 08:01:58 AM
Quote
Quote
Spelling/pronunciation: "Hey that tanks got a really big turrent.
Grammar: "Where's it at?"
Wrong words for what they mean that I've seen on the internet
Grammar: "Where's it at?"
Wrong words for what they mean that I've seen on the internet
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 08, 2006, 12:11:05 PM
Quote from: Hunter Rose
fistful, that comes from neither side wanting to appear "bad"...
I know. I understand that from the pro-abortion side. But it is still too vague - one could be pro-choice about any number of issues. It seems the phrase "reproductive freedom" would fill the bill pretty well. I don't think the media would use the term if not for their sympathy with the movement.But the "pro-life" label really makes no sense. If abortion is murder (the bedrock idea of the movement) then how can you be ashamed to be anti-abortion? How can it sound bad? The rationalle I heard for it long ago was that people respond poorly to a negative position, so it's better to label yourself after something you can affirm. I don't buy it. I have nothing but positive reaction to "anti-racism," "anti-murder," "anti-torturing-puppies," "anti-skinning girls alive and then dipping them in boiling oil," etc.
But here's another bit along the same lines. It's very common for newscasters and other journalists to speak casually of "a woman's right to choose." As in, "Today, the Senate will vote on a measure that could affect a woman's right to choose." The problem with this is that it assumes there is a right to choose an abortion. In the above sentence, an objective reporter would just say, "a measure that could outlaw some abortions," or something to that affect. This doesn't mean that reporters can't speak of "gun rights." The Second Amendment makes clear there is such a thing as "gun rights," although we can disagree on what those rights entail.
Post by: Guest on October 08, 2006, 01:11:40 PM
I've been told that's a Michigan thing, like euchre and Vernor's, but I find that hard to believe.
Worsh cloths (or alternatively, worsh rags.) Worshers and dryers. Car worshes. Worshing the floor. We'll worsh anything up here.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 08, 2006, 02:06:39 PM
Post by: Guest on October 08, 2006, 03:28:11 PM
Post by: Standing Wolf on October 08, 2006, 05:16:27 PM
I didn't for long.
Post by: doczinn on October 08, 2006, 10:10:45 PM
Languages change. They evolve. As such, what is "correct" is defined by what people say. Otherwise we'd speak like Chaucer wrote. Or maybe like Beowulf is written. Or...?
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 09, 2006, 03:00:14 AM
Quote from: doczinn
And why, if the word "prestige" has the emphasis on the second syllable, word the word "prestigious" have it on the first?
Languages change. They evolve. As such, what is "correct" is defined by what people say. Otherwise we'd speak like Chaucer wrote. Or maybe like Beowulf is written. Or...?
1. Why not?Languages change. They evolve. As such, what is "correct" is defined by what people say. Otherwise we'd speak like Chaucer wrote. Or maybe like Beowulf is written. Or...?
2. Nonsense. If we follow that guideline, we won't understand each other very well. And for that matter, we'd have no idea what Chaucer was saying, if we let the language change that fast.
Is Beowulf even written in Old English?
Post by: Iain on October 09, 2006, 04:17:38 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 09, 2006, 04:21:14 AM
How do you say "school"?
Post by: doczinn on October 09, 2006, 04:35:29 AM
Quote
Nonsense. If we follow that guideline, we won't understand each other very well.
Over time, we don't. I mentioned Beowulf because that's English, but the English you or I speak is so completely different that we don't really understand it.Or perhaps you misunderstood what I meant. I absolutely didn't mean any individual person could define what's right; I meant "correct" is defined by what groups of people speak. That group could be the size of the US, and then we would call that language "Standard American English." But that group could also be only 12 percent of the US, and we would call that language (as moronic as the name is that linguists have decided upon) "African American Vernacular English." All those things that are wrong in standard English are perfectly correct in that speech community, as evidenced by the fact that many very educated black people, who speak perfect standard English, switch to that dialect when speaking exclusively to other blacks, educated or not.
Since I've never heard anyone pronounce "prestigious," your assertion that that's the correct pronunciation falls flat. It may have been correct at one time, but it sure isn't now.
Post by: Iain on October 09, 2006, 06:31:47 AM
Obviously I say skool, shh-ool would just be silly. That said, I have no issue with skedule, although I use the 'slushy' version mostly.
I'm not a language scholar by any means, but there is clearly a certain accepted 'evolution' (contentious word, slightly contentious pronunciation) that goes on. I'm not going to argue about whether certain words should have 'u' in them or not.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 09, 2006, 06:41:45 AM
Quote from: doczinn
Since I've never heard anyone pronounce "prestigious," your assertion that that's the correct pronunciation falls flat. It may have been correct at one time, but it sure isn't now.
Your standard can't really judge anything to be correct. PRESTigious is correct because prestIgious sounds dumb. Does anyone agree? Probably not, but they should. Why? Cause I said so, and I know better than you. Ebonics is simply poor English, no matter how many educated people speak it. I engage in hillbilly talk from time to time, and I enjoy it. But I don't expect anyone to accept it as correct. It's not.
But I do accept that there is change over time - so long as the change is good. I am tired of hearing that gay used to mean happy. It still means that. If the slang usage has replaced the actual meaning, that is just due to ignorance, and I won't accept it.
Post by: Iain on October 09, 2006, 06:54:12 AM
I'd say that gay meaning homosexual isn't a slang usage anymore, even if it began as such, online dictionaries don't refer to it as slang. I do know what you mean about people saying it used to mean something else, it clearly still does mean that. The only difference is that these days when you say 'Boy, that's a gay outfit' you risk violence.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 09, 2006, 07:03:02 AM
Quote from: Iain
I'd say that gay meaning homosexual isn't a slang usage anymore.
No, it probably isn't considered slang. Nonetheless, I refuse to abandon a perfectly honest word to a minority with an annoying pride in what most find disgusting.Lawyers and Lutherans
Recently, I heard a lawyer say that if someone pronounces "err" as "ur" rather than "air," then you know they've been to law school. I listen to a local Lutheran radio station, and I can tell you that such a person may also have attended a Lutheran seminary. They all use the "ur" pronunciation - drives me nuts. I don't care what the dictionary says, ur is another "correct" pronunciation that just sounds hideous.
On firmer ground, though, how about these people who say "pronounciation"? Too ironic, really.
Post by: Guest on October 09, 2006, 07:03:36 AM
Quote
Your standard can't really judge anything to be correct.
True, but I'm not using my standard, I'm using the standard of the thousands of people I hear speak standard American English.Quote
Ebonics is simply poor English, no matter how many educated people speak it. I engage in hillbilly talk from time to time, and I enjoy it. But I don't expect anyone to accept it as correct. It's not.
In the context of a group of people, all of whom speak "hillbilly talk," and all of whom understand its nuances, it is perfectly correct. Speaking it in a classroom, or a boardroom, other than for effect, would certainly be incorrect.Quote
But I do accept that there is change over time - so long as the change is good. I am tired of hearing that gay used to mean happy. It still means that. If the slang usage has replaced the actual meaning, that is just due to ignorance, and I won't accept it.
There is change over time, and it is neither good nor bad. It simply is. "Gay" is a good example. It used to mean happy, and in the right context it still can. But it has acquired an additional meaning of homosexual. That's not slang anymore, any more than "dumb" (which you just used) only means "unable to speak." It now also means stupid.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 09, 2006, 07:09:34 AM
Gay is different from dumb, in that it is a hijacking of a word to further a social agenda. I oppose that behavior, and I oppose their changing of my language. And if they're so proud, why the euphemism? If they don't want to be stereotyped, why stereotype themselves as permanently happy?
Post by: Iain on October 12, 2006, 12:54:39 AM
Well, I'm now seeing people miss out those little necessary letters on the end of the word 'should' too. "You should be here." Ok, well I'll stay then. "No, you should be here". Argh.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 12, 2006, 03:26:14 AM
I'm noticing a lot of people using a very rediculous word lately. It surprises me that so many people would mess that up.
Another difference with dumb and gay is that dumb can still be used to mean mute, in the right context. Try using gay for its actual meaning, and it will be perceived as a joke or completely misunderstood.
Post by: 280plus on October 12, 2006, 03:43:27 AM
Smithers, "Akk Kaak, sputter sputter..."
Mr Burns, "You know, something light hearted and frivolous?"
Post by: Keith Wheeler on October 12, 2006, 06:05:00 AM
One friend was a bit odd in his views on vehicles. He was having a difficult time trying to determine the best way to mount an antenna on the car. I suggested drilling a hole. His expression and attitude were like I had suggested he kill his mother. Here he had a vehicle whose fenders had been half cut off, the engine cover removed, it was painted with spray can camo paint, had various after-market parts on the engine, yet he was disgusted at the thought of modifying it from the "original condition" -- that is the condition in which he received it.
Language is constantly changing. Should we throw out "thug" or "boondocks" because those aren't proper English words? Should I argue with the current meaning of "prosylete" and suggest that we go back to the original meaning, a Greek who converted to Judaism, simply because I'm a Jew and don't agree with Christians taking over "our" term? Language is always changing. The meaning of words constantly changing -- mouse, menu, keyboard...just what are these things? How about hacking? Is that something you do with an axe, or is an axe something a fellow from a rock band plays?
Post by: doczinn on October 12, 2006, 06:08:52 AM
Quote
English words? Should I argue with the current meaning of "prosylete" and suggest that we go back to the original meaning, a Greek who converted to Judaism, simply because I'm a Jew and don't agree with Christians taking over "our" term? Language is always changing. The meaning of words constantly changing -- mouse, menu, keyboard...just what are these things? How about hacking? Is that something you do with an axe, or is an axe something a fellow from a rock band plays?
Thank you for coming up with more examples than I could.
Post by: Marnoot on October 12, 2006, 06:55:28 AM
Prime example being a thread a few months back on THR, where a poster was absolutely wigging out because people were using the word "shrapnel" in it's common usage of flying bits of metal and other material following an explosion, etc., rather than it's original usage of "An artillery shell filled with lead balls and a small bursting charge in the base that propelled the balls forward, invented by Henry Shrapnel." I just wanted to tell him to CALM DOWN; words evolve.
I tend to agree with something a poster (can't remember who) said some time ago on THR, paraphrasing: "At some point really bad Latin become really good Italian." Thus it is with any language, they change.
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 12, 2006, 07:34:22 AM
Quote from: Keith Wheeler
Language is constantly changing. Should we throw out "thug" or "boondocks" because those aren't proper English words? Should I argue with the current meaning of "prosylete" and suggest that we go back to the original meaning, a Greek who converted to Judaism, simply because I'm a Jew and don't agree with Christians taking over "our" term? Language is always changing. The meaning of words constantly changing -- mouse, menu, keyboard...just what are these things? How about hacking? Is that something you do with an axe, or is an axe something a fellow from a rock band plays?
No argument that the language changes, and well it should. But to say there is no differentiating between good and bad change is disingenuous. No one actually believes that, no matter how eloquently they may state it.English-speaking people are prone to adopt words from other languages, so that is par for the course. Having more than one use for a word is fine, too. I'm not complaining that gay or queer have additional meanings, but that those meanings have completely taken over any other meaning. What is bothersome is that it symbolizes that our society has lost any moral sense, and given in to the demands of a few people with bizzare and unwholesome practices. We have let them taint everything from common words to the very healthy concept of close friendships with the same sex, and even the arts. Now, it has become "reasonable" to pretend that homosexual relationships are equivalent to an actual marriage, and to involve government in recognizing them. Even though such "reasonable" people would howl in protest at government recognition or support for other private, sexual unions. (Marriage is neither private, nor purely sexual.)
Boy, this thread has wandered far.