Cato's Grammar Grumble

Started by Cato, February 08, 2009, 05:00:18 PM

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Benji

Quote from: Cato on March 27, 2009, 03:15:49 PM
I also heard the word "boughten" today from a school principal, who said his school "hasn't boughten new textbooks yet."    ???


Boughten zee noo textbuuks from Ikea?  ;D




DavidRoss

"Snuck" instead of "sneaked" has become so common that it's probably entered the dictionaries by now, or will soon.  There are probably other examples.  They grate on our ears, but we must remember that our language is living and in flux.  Text messaging will probably accelerate some changes, don't you think?
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

greg

Quote from: DavidRoss on March 27, 2009, 03:30:38 PM
Text messaging will probably accelerate some changes, don't you think?
idk


DavidRoss

"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher



Cato

Quote from: Gay Cuban Communist on March 27, 2009, 03:50:50 PM
idk

Decades ago in the '70's, before tech gadgets were ubiquitous, a teacher came to me: it was early in the year and she was correcting her first History tests from a Freshman group, and several papers had "DK" as the "answer" for various questions.

What was "DK" supposed to mean? she asked in exasperation.

I deduced - and feared - it meant "Don't Know."   :o

So even then the plague was present!   8)
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

DavidRoss

Quote from: Cato on March 28, 2009, 04:34:25 AM
Decades ago in the '70's, before tech gadgets were ubiquitous, a teacher came to me....
Cato!  You're an antique!
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

greg

Quote from: Cato on March 28, 2009, 04:34:25 AM
Decades ago in the '70's, before tech gadgets were ubiquitous, a teacher came to me: it was early in the year and she was correcting her first History tests from a Freshman group, and several papers had "DK" as the "answer" for various questions.

What was "DK" supposed to mean? she asked in exasperation.

I deduced - and feared - it meant "Don't Know."   :o

So even then the plague was present!   8)
interesting... i wonder why it went from "dk" to "idk", though... why add a letter?


Cato

Quote from: DavidRoss on March 28, 2009, 04:51:25 AM
Cato!  You're an antique!

Aye!  And have been for some time, which means I  am becoming ever more valuable as well as voluble!   8)
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

Dr. Dread

I have a good one:

"You and me, both."

Cato

#473
Quote from: Mn Dave on March 31, 2009, 10:36:50 AM
I have a good one:

"You and me, both."

Well, I suppose we could be charitable and call it an "emphatic colloquialism."   $:)

We are not known, however, for being too charitable in things grammatical!

And yes, that is the imperial plural!   0:)

The word "We" was also involved in a TV news report here yesterday, which contained the most shameless Orwellian "klanguage" with no trace of irony:

(An approximate quote)

"We have to look at ways of enhancing the city's revenues, and so we are reviewing various options concerning the sources of income for the city."

i.e. we are scurrying around looking for new ways to create taxes and raise old ones.  This from a politician connected to a certain party recently infamous for raising taxes and going on a spending spree, not necessarily in that order!   0:)
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

Cato

An Associated Press Headline: "Obama Adviser Paid Millions as Hedge Fund Director"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090404/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_financial_disclosures

SO ...how many millions received checks from the hedge fund directed by Lawrence Summers?

Hmmm...sounds like good practice for present-day policy, passing out checks using other people's money!   0:)

But as one reads, one sees that the man was paid millions, which also seems to be a crime these days!  $:)

Headlines should not be shortened by people who failed to pay attention in English class!


"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

Jay F

Quote from: Cato on April 05, 2009, 03:58:02 PM
An Associated Press Headline: "Obama Adviser Paid Millions as Hedge Fund Director"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090404/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_financial_disclosures

SO ...how many millions received checks from the hedge fund directed by Lawrence Summers?

Hmmm...sounds like good practice for present-day policy, passing out checks using other people's money!   0:)

But as one reads, one sees that the man was paid millions, which also seems to be a crime these days!  $:)

Headlines should not be shortened by people who failed to pay attention in English class!




Should've said "made millions."

Cato

Redundant Verbiage Alert in some things I have read today, the products of the educational bureaucrats    :P    of my diocese! 

Agree or Disagree:

"The parish faith community in co-operation with the school faith community co-operates with surrounding parish and school faith communities."

I was about to reach for my revolver by the end of that monstrosity!    $:)

A bureaucrat was paid to write that!!!   :o

A sensible statement would be: "The parish and school co-operate with other parishes and schools."

"Faith community" is another preciosity from people who think they are being broad-minded, but are also paid by the word to produce bloated surveys.

Any examples of such nonsense from other areas? 
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

Cato

Quote:

"I think you're judging on the British people with your outdated morals."

This is another aspect of our illiterate and possibly Hunnish age   :o  Too many people are unable to handle the simplest phrases without adding mistakes in an attempt to...what?  Sound smarter than they are?  Sound cool?

Maybe if you start judging on people, they'll be putting the beat down on you!   $:)
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)

karlhenning

Could be Louisiana colloquial . . . part of the same syndrome observed when, towards the end of a presidential contest, the g's get dropped from the ends of present participles.  If you're too careful of your speech, you're being insincere!

Cato

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 06, 2009, 03:41:28 PM
Could be Louisiana colloquial . . . part of the same syndrome observed when, towards the end of a presidential contest, the g's get dropped from the ends of present participlesIf you're too careful of your speech, you're being insincere!

Aye, now you're talkin' !   0:)    Millionaire politicians walkin' 'n' gabbin' 'n' actin' like they're reg'lar folk!   8)
"Meet Miss Ruth Sherwood, from Columbus, Ohio, the Middle of the Universe!"

- Brian Aherne introducing Rosalind Russell in  My Sister Eileen (1942)