In Defense of the M-Word
Bemoaning grammatical I-sores27 total reviews
Comment from w.j.debi
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your defense of the me word and the personal experiences you have encountered withits misuse. The poor word certainly is takes a beating on a daily basis.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading your defense of the me word and the personal experiences you have encountered withits misuse. The poor word certainly is takes a beating on a daily basis.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from muffinmama
You're starting to live in my head!
I was writing last night; hubby was watching TV. Someone being interviewed went ahead and said 'between you and I'. My chair spun around all by itself, which allowed me to yell straight at the TV 'between you and me, idiot'. I'm not one to yell, so this was embarrassing. My husband then said, "But we were taught that it was I, not me." I then gave him a speech that sounded very much like your little essay. Heaven help me!
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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You're starting to live in my head!
I was writing last night; hubby was watching TV. Someone being interviewed went ahead and said 'between you and I'. My chair spun around all by itself, which allowed me to yell straight at the TV 'between you and me, idiot'. I'm not one to yell, so this was embarrassing. My husband then said, "But we were taught that it was I, not me." I then gave him a speech that sounded very much like your little essay. Heaven help me!
Comment Written 20-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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So funny! I'm picturing the Exorcist's head-spinning scene (never saw it, heard tell ad nausean).
My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
P.S. I've promoted this piece a few times since I originally posted it; you are reviewer #26, the magic number for my "earning" the ironically-dubbed "All-Time-Best" award--(which unfortunately comes with a 4-digit number attached--e.g. 1692 that makes clear that 1,691 ATB pieces posted year-to-date have been deemed better than mine. OUCH!
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I was an English teacher for 15 years and when I write emails to friends, I sign "Me". But heaven help a journalist who says "I was just laying around all day." My first thought is "Oh, really? Well have you bothered to gather up all the eggs yet?" LOL
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LAY DOWN is a ubiquitous error. Probably dervies from the indentical-sounding LAID DOWN.
Comment from Judy Lawless
I wish I had a six star left to give you! You have opened my biggest bone of contention that I experienced many times when I had articles published in a certain biking magazine. They always edited without my input and, even though I was well paid for the articles, I was embarrassed to have my name on them. The editor always changed the correct form to the now more commonly used form. He also liked to add paragraphs here and there that often consisted of one very long run-on sentence.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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I wish I had a six star left to give you! You have opened my biggest bone of contention that I experienced many times when I had articles published in a certain biking magazine. They always edited without my input and, even though I was well paid for the articles, I was embarrassed to have my name on them. The editor always changed the correct form to the now more commonly used form. He also liked to add paragraphs here and there that often consisted of one very long run-on sentence.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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I cringe at imaginiing what monstrosities they wrought upon your work!
My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Mea culpa, my grammar is so bad, that no pretentious etiquette will come out from my writingsð?¤? Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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Mea culpa, my grammar is so bad, that no pretentious etiquette will come out from my writingsð?¤? Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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Very funny!
Comment from Susan Newell
You and me are together on this one, we're, like, simpatico, ya know? :-)
The sad part is that erroneous grammar is repeated so much by supposedly educated people that it becomes not only acceptable, but the norm. We all goof, but at least some of us try to get it right.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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You and me are together on this one, we're, like, simpatico, ya know? :-)
The sad part is that erroneous grammar is repeated so much by supposedly educated people that it becomes not only acceptable, but the norm. We all goof, but at least some of us try to get it right.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
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And so language mutates. I hesitate to say evolves.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I love your clever and funny ending. I never thought of how or when I use "me" or "I". I most likely cling to "me" and use "me and him." rather than "he and I" but a person's grammar use comes from home environment, education, and habit.
Regards,
Mary
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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I love your clever and funny ending. I never thought of how or when I use "me" or "I". I most likely cling to "me" and use "me and him." rather than "he and I" but a person's grammar use comes from home environment, education, and habit.
Regards,
Mary
Comment Written 19-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
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We then speak the same language!
Mary
Comment from Jimmy Hogg
Yeah, this is good. A simple story revealing a pedantry for grammar. I can relate, even though my grammar is often all over the place and full of hole.
" home in on the target of his choice, tap said target's shoulder, then scurry back to his own seat." Not sure why it's "his" and not "there" as I don't imagine this is an all-boys school.
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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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Yeah, this is good. A simple story revealing a pedantry for grammar. I can relate, even though my grammar is often all over the place and full of hole.
" home in on the target of his choice, tap said target's shoulder, then scurry back to his own seat." Not sure why it's "his" and not "there" as I don't imagine this is an all-boys school.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2021
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Indeed--it's not an all-boys school--funny you mention that--glad you brought it up--indeed, nowadays it is common to say "their" or "his or her" but traditional (sexist!) rules call for the masculine singular and, as one who had the "right" way drummed into me, I still cringe to hear "their" and I find "his or her" unneccesarily cumbersome. (In the objective case, "s/he" works for me.) Thanks for stopping by! Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Susan Larson
I don't know when this I-Me confusion started. I recently reconnected with a childhood friend. She was editor in chief of our junior year newspaper and high school year book. She won multiple awards for her writing. On her Facebook page she wrote about her new home being ,"big enough for my cat and I." I cringed . your post was very supportive of other grammar nazis and ME,
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2021
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I don't know when this I-Me confusion started. I recently reconnected with a childhood friend. She was editor in chief of our junior year newspaper and high school year book. She won multiple awards for her writing. On her Facebook page she wrote about her new home being ,"big enough for my cat and I." I cringed . your post was very supportive of other grammar nazis and ME,
Comment Written 17-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2021
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My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated.
That said, "It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. Cheers. LIZ
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Interesting that in one breathe, Sir Lancelot says ?c?est moi ( it is me) t?is I) poetic license? LOL
Comment from L. Kalere
Correct grammar IS a lost art ... not that I'm an expert, but "him and me?"
It's everywhere, even the teachers talk like that. Thanks for the expose, but I'm afraid it's here to stay.
Linda
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2021
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Correct grammar IS a lost art ... not that I'm an expert, but "him and me?"
It's everywhere, even the teachers talk like that. Thanks for the expose, but I'm afraid it's here to stay.
Linda
Comment Written 17-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2021
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Alas, you are right!
Thanks for stopping by.
"It is I" sounds wrong to me, despite it being grammatically correct; "It's me" is idiomatic--i.e. it's wrong but everyone says it--so it is acceptable to the point that now right sounds wrong. Also, I can't get used to the correct "It's s/he--where I come from we say him/her. My pet peeve, per this piece, is the "overcorrection" by those who think they sound well educated. Cheers. LIZ
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I agree with you about the "overcorrection"...it's laughable.
When I answer the phone and am asked if this is Linda, I always say "this is she." There's almost always hesitation on the other end of the line...they think I'm the one with the poor grammar. Oh well.
Comment from Barry Childs
Ah, I was intrigued by the title and just had to read. It made me smile. I wanted to comment with just the word 'fabulous' but fanstory would not let me. So forget all that dribble and read only this. Fabulous.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2020
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Ah, I was intrigued by the title and just had to read. It made me smile. I wanted to comment with just the word 'fabulous' but fanstory would not let me. So forget all that dribble and read only this. Fabulous.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2020
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Thank you Barry! What a delightful surprise to see a-fabulous!-- review on a piece no longer listed. How did you happen upon it? I am honored that you took the trouble to type two lines for a mere two cents reward. Stop by anytime! I hope that next visit you'll get a payout and a pump to boot. Cheers. LIZ
