Cato's Grammar Grumble

[DavidRoss]

I can't figure out if this is an attempt at an insult.

Nope. Just correction of a misunderstanding--especially relevant on the grammar thread.

[eyeresist]

Nope. Just correction of a misunderstanding--especially relevant on the grammar thread.

I understand what is meant by the expression - it just troubles me that it doesn't exactly match what the words mean! Like a history teacher I had years ago who would say things like "It was literally the end of the world!"

(Sorry about two exclamation marks in a row, but the second one was part of the quotation.)

[kishnevi]

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks, but kept forgetting or couldn't find the little paragraph I tore out of the newspaper.   

From the Miami Herald sports section.  Byline is Patrik Nohe, Herald Sports Writer.   The editors who muffed their jobs are of course not named, which is a shame, since the guilty ought to be publicly fingered.

Last year, for all intensive purposes, the Wake Forest Deacons ended Florida State's season.

[Gold Knight]

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on Today at 07:30:27 PM

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks, but kept forgetting or couldn't find the little paragraph I tore out of the newspaper.   

From the Miami Herald sports section.  Byline is Patrik Nohe, Herald Sports Writer.   The editors who muffed their jobs are of course not named, which is a shame, since the guilty ought to be publicly fingered.

Good one, Mr. Smith. Sort of like someone saying or writing "Cool, calm and collective".

[Opus106]

A clue in today's crossword: The auditor's plans are serious (7)

[Karl Henning]

In an on-line newspaper:

"… whether its through …"

The angels are weeping.

[DavidRoss]

In an on-line newspaper:

"… whether its through …"

The angels are weeping.

Could be a typeo

But ... dude! ... abuse of apostrophes is so common these days that I've found myself confused at times about using one or not!

[Karl Henning]

Well, and with all the stresses bearing upon the trade, one reads online articles with a grammatically charitable eye.

I couldn't suppress an involuntary wince at that one, though.

[DavidRoss]

Well, and with all the stresses bearing upon the trade, one reads online articles with a grammatically charitable eye.

I couldn't suppress an involuntary wince at that one, though.

Look on the bright side: could've been "weather its threw."

[Karl Henning]

Look on the bright side: could've been "weather its threw."

Woof! : )

[Karl Henning]

Only incidental to the Grumble:

http://www.youtube.com/v/GdJ2jHii6Y0

So much of this act is well taken, and it is quite admirably well done, that my quibble is a mere footnote, lest I appear to carp at the whole.

I chafe a bit at the false dichotomy between kind and critical.  The problem with the rude e-mail wasn't that the sender was critical, but that he was an ass.  Why do I chafe?  This sloppy usage can trend to demonize critical faculties, yes?

[The Six]

I need some confirmation here - "I like that one better" is bad grammar, right? You wouldn't say you like something "worse," so it should be "like it more/less."

[CriticalI]

I need some confirmation here - "I like that one better" is bad grammar, right? You wouldn't say you like something "worse," so it should be "like it more/less."

Here's the test: if it sounds like something an 18th century farmer would say, it's generally taken to be "legitimate" English

[Wakefield]

Only incidental to the Grumble:

http://www.youtube.com/v/GdJ2jHii6Y0

So much of this act is well taken, and it is quite admirably well done, that my quibble is a mere footnote, lest I appear to carp at the whole.

I chafe a bit at the false dichotomy between kind and critical.  The problem with the rude e-mail wasn't that the sender was critical, but that he was an ass.  Why do I chafe?  This sloppy usage can trend to demonize critical faculties, yes?

I agree; she confuses "critical" with "rude" or "ill-mannered", but just formally because the bottom of her argument is pretty clear. 

[CriticalI]

I agree; she confuses "critical" with "rude" or "ill-mannered", but just formally because the bottom of her argument is pretty clear.

It's a case in which common usage has warped the meaning of the word. "Critical" is used to mean "unfairly critical", in the same way "coincidence" is used to mean "meaningless coincidence". Since most people don't care about the precise meanings of words, I'm afraid there's little we can do to remedy the situation.

[DavidRoss]

It's a case in which common usage has warped the meaning of the word. "Critical" is used to mean "unfairly critical", in the same way "coincidence" is used to mean "meaningless coincidence". Since most people don't care about the precise meanings of words, I'm afraid there's little we can do to remedy the situation.

Yes. Except to continue respecting our language and ourselves enough to use it properly instead of capitulating. And, recognizing that others often don't understand what they are really saying, asking for clarification when necessary.

[petrarch]

Yes. Except to continue respecting our language and ourselves enough to use it properly instead of capitulating.

This is a conundrum I find myself in rather frequently. Shall purity and correctness be upheld at all costs, even that of clarity to, and understanding from, the other parties? Sometimes some pragmatism is necessary to unequivocally get a point across.

[DavidRoss]

This is a conundrum I find myself in rather frequently. Shall purity and correctness be upheld at all costs, even that of clarity to, and understanding from, the other parties? Sometimes some pragmatism is necessary to unequivocally get a point across.

Aw, shucks -- y'all don't mean to suggest we shouldn't just talk like stiff prigs, do ya?

[CriticalI]

Do some Americans still say "I could care less", or was that a brief fad, now over?


("Care less" being the most polite form of the expression )

[DavidRoss]

Do some Americans still say "I could care less", or was that a brief fad, now over?

("Care less" being the most polite form of the expression )

While meaning the opposite? You betcha!

(Truncated version of somewhat less genteel but more graphic expression )