Abuse of the English Language

09-14-2004, 09:01 AM

I must read Eats, Shoots and Leaves....
Anyways, does anybody have any pet hates on the abuse of language these days?

My big one right now is how everyone says "Me and so and so" rather than "so and so and I"
It bugs me no end. Grrrr.
Anyways, I'm kinda hoping I'm not the only one who gets worked up over such things

knivesout · 09-14-2004, 09:20 AM

Don't even get me started.

(wanders away, mumbling to self in a curmudgeonly fashion)

littlemissattitude · 09-14-2004, 09:21 AM

Oh, no. You aren't the only one. Believe me.

The thing that bothers me more than just about anything is the use of possessives when they aren't appropriate. I saw it all the time when I was tutoring English students, but it seems to be most annoying when I see it on signs. "Tire's for sale" is a good example (and a real example; I'm not making this up, folks). "Belonging to the tire is on sale"? They don't want the possessive, "tire's"; the want the plural, "tires". Grrrrr.

Oh, and speaking of signs...Yesterday I was in the library, of all places, and one row of the stacks was closed off for some reason. I think they were moving books or something. Anyway, they had a sign posted that said, in part, "Section close to patrons." Well, the first thing I thought was, "How close to the patrons is that section, and is it violating their personal space?" I assume that they meant to say, "Section closed to patrons". I wanted to go and ask who had printed out the sign, and if they really should be working in a library (I didn't do it, but I was tempted). I know. That is mean. But, sheesh. Of course, considering the number of books that get mis-shelved in that library, I shouldn't be too surprised.

dwndrgn · 09-14-2004, 09:46 AM

My own personal annoyance is 'they're' and 'their' used interchangeably. I actually did it myself a day or so ago and was horrified! I was clearly too tired to be typing or thinking.

I saw a funny sign the other day too and darned if I can remember what it was.

I, Brian · 09-14-2004, 10:00 AM

I can't speak - I fill my posts with typos, and spend hours trying to figure if a particular word ends in "-ly" or "-ally".

littlemissattitude · 09-14-2004, 10:10 AM

Typos on the fly when posting in a forum are a lot different than signs that presumably people had to plan before they made them, or that are made by supposedly professional sign-makers. Like the different between you or I misspeaking in a conversation and a politican misspeaking in a speech that has been written for them and that they've been practicing for several days.

It would horrify me if I had something published that had glaring typos in it. But typing quickly on a post on a forum, thinking as you go, is different. It's like talking to someone casually, not like preparing a manuscript for publication.

09-14-2004, 11:17 AM

I hate the "z" in civilisation, the lack of "u" in colour, and the "er" instead of "re" in centre. Newspapers and the like are even starting to do it now, and it bugs me no end. It's not that hard to remember.

I also hate people who write in "text". If your can't be bothered writing "for", is 4 really that easier? I mean, it does have a lot of big sharp angles in it. Watch it or you might cut yourself.

I'm a whinging old bugger, aren't I?

knivesout · 09-14-2004, 11:21 AM

Tharking awesome.

erickad71 · 09-14-2004, 01:52 PM

I hate it when people write in text also!! It's ok when it's on my phone...anywhere else and it drives me up the wall.

I never put a "u" in color, and I always spell center with an "er"...that's what you get when you have to read what we Americans write.

Princess Ivy · 09-14-2004, 02:12 PM

Since I have come to the UK i am constantly annoyed. Little things such as over prouncouncing the H and Ing in words, hence Birmingham becomes BirmINGim. phrases such as 'going down the shop' ugh! worst is my daughter uses many of these, as well as mispronouncing words. Drives me mad!!!