Cato's Grammar Grumble

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

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knight66

Gents, This is primarily a thread about language and its uses. Obviously the cultural background and connections are integral; but let's avoid personalised argument, political or otherwise. The possibilities of bloodletting prompted by disagreements over language and grammar give more than enough scope for even the most combatate.

Remember what happened as a result of that iota!

Thank you.

Mike
DavidW: Yeah Mike doesn't get angry, he gets even.
I wasted time: and time wasted me.

Cato

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

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

Mark G. Simon

Quote from: Florestan on April 10, 2009, 01:11:09 AM
I assume you're being ironic, just as in the other post. You can't be serious.

BWV is the master of deadpan humor. His fame in this regard is worldwide. In China (or is it Japan) some people really believe that Elliott Carter has repented of his modernist ways, thanks to him.

karlhenning


karlhenning

And then, amusingly, note lower left corner:

Cato

Karl: That is free enterprise at its Big-Brother spookiest!

When somebody a few weeks placed a topic about "adultery with the boss' wife" here, my computer suddenly showed a Google ad about a site for "cheaters," including one catering to adulterous Catholics!   :o   

An oxymoron to be sure!   $:)  (Emphasis on the "moron" part!)

Somehow it "knew" my computer was in a Catholic school?!  It never came back, perhaps my school's blocking software needed to "learn" what was happening.

"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 April 10, 2009, 05:48:55 AM
Karl: That is free enterprise at its Big-Brother spookiest!

When somebody a few weeks placed a topic about "adultery with the boss' wife" here, my computer suddenly showed a Google ad about a site for "cheaters," including one catering to adulterous Catholics!   :o   

An oxymoron to be sure!   $:)  (Emphasis on the "moron" part!)

Somehow it "knew" my computer was in a Catholic school?!  It never came back, perhaps my school's blocking software needed to "learn" what was happening.
Speaking of which, did you catch the discussion on the Lehrer News Hour last night about plans to create a national database for medical records?  It was good to note that at least some of the participants were hip to the enormous potential for abuse that would cause.  Personally I think that all forms of malware distribution, including tracking cookies, should be punishable by death or worse--forced attendance at an Andre Rieu concert, perhaps?
"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

karlhenning

Quote from: DavidRoss on April 10, 2009, 05:58:06 AM
--forced attendance at an Andre Rieu concert, perhaps?

Brutal!  8)

Benji

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 10, 2009, 05:37:19 AM
And then, amusingly, note lower left corner:

How Annoying Is It When People Don't Know Which Letters They Should, And Shouldn't, Begin With A Capital Letter?!

DavidRoss

Quote from: Benji on April 10, 2009, 07:53:47 AM
How Annoying Is It When People Don't Know Which Letters They Should, And Shouldn't, Begin With A Capital Letter?!
1 on a scale of 10?  On a par with not knowing when to write out numbers and when to use numerals....
"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

Kullervo

Quote from: Benji on April 10, 2009, 07:53:47 AM
How Annoying Is It When People Don't Know Which Letters They Should, And Shouldn't, Begin With A Capital Letter?!

I've noticed that on several internet sites. It's strange because it actually requires more effort than the correct usage, whereas most grammar mistakes are due to sheer laziness. 

Jay F

Quote from: Benji on April 10, 2009, 07:53:47 AM
How Annoying Is It When People Don't Know Which Letters They Should, And Shouldn't, Begin With A Capital Letter?!
Don't You Mean "Words"?

DavidRoss

Grumble # 372:  people Who write "Letters" When They mean "Words?"  (Imagine the rising inflection now epidemic among the nation's youth and even catching on among those old enough to know better than to end statements with the inflection signifying a question.  Grumble #373.)
"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

Dr. Dread

Grumble 374: People who grumble.

Mark G. Simon

People who say "The thing about it is, is that....."

I've heard so many otherwise educated people say this, with absolute certainty of its grammatical correctness. At first I thought it was a hesitation on the speaker's part, but when I corrected this person, a librarian of all things, she thought about it and said "no, that's correct. That's how it's supposed to be".

Diagram that sentence, lady.

Benji

Quote from: nicht schleppend on April 10, 2009, 08:29:45 AM
Don't You Mean "Words"?

Yes, indeed. I was in such a rage that I completely forgot myself! I am ashamed and will pray for Cato's mercy.  ;D

Quote from: DavidRoss on April 10, 2009, 09:14:45 AM
Grumble # 372:  people Who write "Letters" When They mean "Words?"  (Imagine the rising inflection now epidemic among the nation's youth and even catching on among those old enough to know better than to end statements with the inflection signifying a question.  Grumble #373.)

Ah, shush!  ;)

karlhenning

Quote from: Mark G. Simon on April 10, 2009, 09:33:52 AM
People who say "The thing about it is, is that....."

I've heard so many otherwise educated people say this, with absolute certainty of its grammatical correctness. At first I thought it was a hesitation on the speaker's part, but when I corrected this person, a librarian of all things, she thought about it and said "no, that's correct. That's how it's supposed to be".

Diagram that sentence, lady.

Superfluous is!  Garn!

karlhenning

Quote from: Benji on April 10, 2009, 09:54:55 AM
Yes, indeed. I was in such a rage that I completely forgot myself!

Lesson:  Keep your cool.

Kullervo

Lisa: Just lay still.
Linguo: Lie still.
Lisa: I knew that. Just testing.
Linguo: Sentence fragment.
Lisa: "Sentence fragment," is also a sentence fragment!
Linguo: *glances from side to side* Must conserve battery power. *shuts down*

Dr. Dread

I can't stand it when cats ask, "I can has cheeseburger?" God, it drive me nuts.