Say What?
Do you know what you're really saying? Do I?23 total reviews
Comment from Petriesan
well, for pacing, I Might use empty bottles of wine instead of wine bottles, but I get your point.
I have been known to sit and read dictionaries, following definitions threads for house. SO I guess I am a word-nerd. To me the most misunderstood word is AWE and its cousin awesome.
Nice article
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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well, for pacing, I Might use empty bottles of wine instead of wine bottles, but I get your point.
I have been known to sit and read dictionaries, following definitions threads for house. SO I guess I am a word-nerd. To me the most misunderstood word is AWE and its cousin awesome.
Nice article
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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I think (now I've noticed it) I'll be using 'empty wine bottles' which fixes the issue. I've no doubt there are many words I still use incorrectly, but it's fun keeping an eye out for them! Thanks for the review :-).
Mike
Comment from lindalcreel
I'm always amazed at language. I think teenagers coined several phrases that meant exactly the opposites of what they were intended to mean. It is fun to hear them talk. I guess we had our own slang back in the day, but I don't remember it being that bad. This will get the neurons firing in our brains as we think of other examples. Thanks so much for sharing. A really funny little post.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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I'm always amazed at language. I think teenagers coined several phrases that meant exactly the opposites of what they were intended to mean. It is fun to hear them talk. I guess we had our own slang back in the day, but I don't remember it being that bad. This will get the neurons firing in our brains as we think of other examples. Thanks so much for sharing. A really funny little post.
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Linda :-). When I was young, the phrase 'same difference' came into use to mean 'same thing' or 'no difference.' The funny thing is, my wife (who is a few years younger than me and very intelligent/articulate) still sees nothing wrong with 'same difference.' To her, it's always meant the opposite of what she thinks it does. Well, to be exact, it doesn't make much sense at all!
Another one I'm noticing all the time is, when shortening 'there are,' people say 'there's' rather than 'there're.' So they'll say 'there's hundreds of reasons for this.' If they spoke it without the abbreviation, they might realise the mistake.
Lol, here I go again. I'm glad you enjoyed the read!
Mike
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So welcome. This one made me think.
Comment from Sasha
You focused on at least five that I use all the time. Now that you've made me terrified to even write a review, lest I should incur the Fleedleflump swat on the head. I chuckled all the way through this. You are a very clever man, with apparently way too much time on your hands. I wish you all the best in the contest...I am in it too so maybe I should say 'second best'...lol
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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You focused on at least five that I use all the time. Now that you've made me terrified to even write a review, lest I should incur the Fleedleflump swat on the head. I chuckled all the way through this. You are a very clever man, with apparently way too much time on your hands. I wish you all the best in the contest...I am in it too so maybe I should say 'second best'...lol
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Oh, I noticed most of these because I was using them - that's why I have to find it funny rather than annoying. If only I had too much time! I wrote, edited and posted this on the train home from work - it took about 20 minutes. That's why it's so short! I'm currently covering two jobs at work and that'll go up to three next week, and all I do at home is doze off in front of the telly. Not good! Need to get that film deal for Warped or Bran - then I can stop being hassled for a living and actually invest in my own income.
One can dream!
Thank you, my friend, and good luck in the contest. I wouldn't worry - I never win. Clearly, none of my fans are on the committee.
Mike
Comment from Spiritual Echo
For me the word is 'irregardless.' The minute I hear someone use that ridiculous blasphemy I automatically throw them on the moron heap and stop listening.
I nod a lot like a 'bobbit doll.'
Excellent points.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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For me the word is 'irregardless.' The minute I hear someone use that ridiculous blasphemy I automatically throw them on the moron heap and stop listening.
I nod a lot like a 'bobbit doll.'
Excellent points.
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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lol, thank you :-). I'm not sure how 'regardless' got to be so frequently lengthened, but indeed, it happens. I notice our US cousins (I feel safe to say that as I see you're in Canada, lol) quite often extend words (I call them Americanisationalisms). Words such as 'burglarize' where we'd say 'burgle' spring to mind.
Thanks for the great review :-).
Mike
Comment from mumsyone
Hi Mike,
Great. My essay won't go ANYwhere with THIS in the pot! ha!
I enjoyed reading this because I agree with you wholeheartedly. People really know how to slaughter the English language these days. Like you, one of by biggest pet peeves is to hear someone say that they 'could care less.' I don't know where the 'not' got dropped, but I wish someone would find it. Arguing with them doesn't do a bit of good because they just don't understand what they're saying, and there's no way to explain it to them so that they do. It's a puzzle to me.
But worst of all is the use of 'a' instead of 'an'. I want to know when and where 'an' got lost! I cringe when I hear news people and celebrities say "a apple" or "a oxygen mask," especially when it takes more effort to use 'a' in those cases than it does 'an' because the latter just rolls off your tongue.
Good writing! Good luck in the contest.
Lois
Something may cause some awe, another with (will?) fill us with it, but we've polarised the two terms on opposite sides of the hyperbolic fence.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Hi Mike,
Great. My essay won't go ANYwhere with THIS in the pot! ha!
I enjoyed reading this because I agree with you wholeheartedly. People really know how to slaughter the English language these days. Like you, one of by biggest pet peeves is to hear someone say that they 'could care less.' I don't know where the 'not' got dropped, but I wish someone would find it. Arguing with them doesn't do a bit of good because they just don't understand what they're saying, and there's no way to explain it to them so that they do. It's a puzzle to me.
But worst of all is the use of 'a' instead of 'an'. I want to know when and where 'an' got lost! I cringe when I hear news people and celebrities say "a apple" or "a oxygen mask," especially when it takes more effort to use 'a' in those cases than it does 'an' because the latter just rolls off your tongue.
Good writing! Good luck in the contest.
Lois
Something may cause some awe, another with (will?) fill us with it, but we've polarised the two terms on opposite sides of the hyperbolic fence.
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Lois, thanks so much :-). The spag catch is appreciated - they're so hard to see in one's own writing!
Yes, the 'care less' thing is a bugger. The worst use of it I've seen was in the TV show 'Castle' - the title character, an author who frequently corrects others' use of English, says it. That's bad character writing as well as poor English.
I'll try to read your article soon but, given your subject combined with how good you are, I have a funny feeling you'll do just fine in the contest :-).
Mike
Comment from Cookie333
So many, where do I start? I shall list the two that get the hair on the back of my neck to stand up:
'Hot water heater' obvious right?
"unthawing" most use this to mean defrost, but if something is 'un' thawing, wouldn't that mean 'refreezing'?
just saying,
thanks
karen
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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So many, where do I start? I shall list the two that get the hair on the back of my neck to stand up:
'Hot water heater' obvious right?
"unthawing" most use this to mean defrost, but if something is 'un' thawing, wouldn't that mean 'refreezing'?
just saying,
thanks
karen
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Haha, thanks Karen :-). I hadn't heard 'unthawing' but that would really bug me! Perhaps it's a US thing. We have plenty of our own here in the UK ('I ain't done nothing' and 'same difference' (to mean 'no difference') spring to mind).
I'm really glad you enjoyed the read.
Mike
Comment from Joy Graham
I just cant resist your writing, Mike :) your thoughts are always a treat! Please forgive typos, i blame them on this ipad. Ugh. I like the word, awesome. This reminds me of the tv commercial where the lady cant sleep and she starts to think crazy things. My favorite is when she says, "what if the hokey pokey really is what its all about". Lol! Oh, and "why is the word abbreviation so long?"
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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I just cant resist your writing, Mike :) your thoughts are always a treat! Please forgive typos, i blame them on this ipad. Ugh. I like the word, awesome. This reminds me of the tv commercial where the lady cant sleep and she starts to think crazy things. My favorite is when she says, "what if the hokey pokey really is what its all about". Lol! Oh, and "why is the word abbreviation so long?"
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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lol, thanks Joy :-). I think our minds come up with the best stuff when we let them wander. Of course, the difficult bit is catching all that and writing it down in a way that makes any sense! That advert sounds familiar - I think we must get that over here too.
As for the iPad ... only Apple could convince people to pay twice as much for something with half the power and facilities of its competitors!
Mike
Comment from adewpearl
What fun, Mike. I actually am so bothered by I could care less that it is a lesson I teach in my grammar/spag course here on site. I particularly laughed at your empty bottles of wine example. :-) Your mind is a wondrous thing, my friend :-) Brooke
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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What fun, Mike. I actually am so bothered by I could care less that it is a lesson I teach in my grammar/spag course here on site. I particularly laughed at your empty bottles of wine example. :-) Your mind is a wondrous thing, my friend :-) Brooke
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Brooke :-). Every now and then I catch myself saying or writing something and think 'that makes no sense!' The worst example of 'could care less' I've heard was in the TV show Castle, uttered by the titular character - a writer who frequently corrects the English of the other characters!
Perhaps I should just declare myself a script writer and get myself in the guild, then I'd get work even if my scripts were bloody awful.
Mike
Comment from Janice Canerdy
This is very well-written and really--figuratively
speaking--strikes a chord with me! How about "emergency situation"? When I hear that, I want to scream "Drop
'situation'!" What about "A.M." and "P.M." used with "morning" and "evening"? Also, "A.M" and "P.M." often simply aren't needed. The church sign says, "Benefit Fishfry Saturday, 5:00 P.M." If "P.M." had been omitted, would folks have been lined up waiting for a fish plate an hour before daybreak!? Oh, did you know some people have HOT water heaters? You really got me wound up! LOL
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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This is very well-written and really--figuratively
speaking--strikes a chord with me! How about "emergency situation"? When I hear that, I want to scream "Drop
'situation'!" What about "A.M." and "P.M." used with "morning" and "evening"? Also, "A.M" and "P.M." often simply aren't needed. The church sign says, "Benefit Fishfry Saturday, 5:00 P.M." If "P.M." had been omitted, would folks have been lined up waiting for a fish plate an hour before daybreak!? Oh, did you know some people have HOT water heaters? You really got me wound up! LOL
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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lol, thank you, Janice :-). Yes, I saw a document the other day which declared a meeting would be held at '16:00 PM' - about as redundant as it gets. The problem, I think, is that nobody actually considers what they're saying any more (me included, much of the time). In striving for fast communication, we end up with incorrect communication and risk saying the wrong thing, or even the opposite of what we intend.
I'm glad you enjoyed the read!
Mike
Comment from babylonia
Mike,
This is hilarious. Yes, I find that all these years of editing have made me a word snob. I can't even look at something that is supposed to be a joke without wanting to correct the English. A highly paid news reporter stated someone was "killed dead". LOL Obviously if you have been killed, you are dead. Crazy, right? This is definitely a good one. Good luck~
Love,
Barbara
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Mike,
This is hilarious. Yes, I find that all these years of editing have made me a word snob. I can't even look at something that is supposed to be a joke without wanting to correct the English. A highly paid news reporter stated someone was "killed dead". LOL Obviously if you have been killed, you are dead. Crazy, right? This is definitely a good one. Good luck~
Love,
Barbara
Comment Written 26-Nov-2013
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2013
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Thank you, Barbara :-). I've noticed an opposite trend in some crime dramas recently. They've started using the phrase 'shot to death' which sounded wrong at first (probably because, generally, I think of 'shot' as 'dead') but is actually quite correct. It's the only example I can think of though - everything else is going the wrong way, lol.
Mike
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Mike,
I am like you ... EVEN though I know many people who were shot and didn't die. I know many who were stabbed and aren't dead ... just goes to show our PERCEPTION as portrayed on the media. Yeah, shot to death is correct even if it doesn't sound right. LOL I had a whole conversation with my mom about perception on Thanksgiving. I always think of tall people having long legs. Me being short I assume they have longer legs than me. No. Some do, obviously ... models and such. But many don't. I actually have longer legs and a short body. Despite the fact I know this fact ... I still assume all tall people will have longer legs than me. It's crazy trying to change our perceptions. I think the most difficult thing for me as an editor is that it doesn't matter what I read, I start pointing out the grammar flaws. Do you do this?
Love,
Barbara
