Words in the wrong context
 

I guess we all notice things about how others communicate with us, but one thing that bugs me is when people use the wrong word in place of the right word.

As an example, and one of the situations that really bugs me, is when people use the word 'then' instead of 'than'. eg. 'I'd rather go to bed then watch tv', instead of, 'I'd rather go to bed than watch tv'.

Another one is when people say 'axe' instead of 'ask'.

I think my main objection to it is from a traditional stance in that the english language is bastardized more than enough through slang and local nuances. Do we really have to make it worse by using the completely wrong word? Isn't it possible to learn at least the basics?

I argument with that.

of course

It's spelled "aks", Ali. As in, "didja aks her out?"

Oh yeah...silly me. I should have realized you don't type a real word when you're describing someone else's pronunciation errors.

You mean, like people who say 'boot' when they mean 'trunk'?

or trunk when they mean boot even...

To be honest though, that's not really what I meant. I think you know that though right HLJ?

Don't misunderestimate yourself.

And youse guy's are really great.

I'm sure I could of thunk up more examples.

On this topic, I have been thinking about ZippyT's ... how can I put this ... unconventional approach to spelling. At first I dismissed this as the struggles of someone whose literacy level was sorely lacking (my apologies for this Zippy!) but I've been wondering, provided that there is a large enough group that take the same apporach, use the same spellings, etc, could we say Zippy is writing - CORRECTLY - in a dialect of English different from, eg, mine?

At what point does a local peculiarity become a legitimate regional dialect? And when or how does this become dominant?
For example, of course the correct spelling of words like colour and flavour involve the letter "u" ( ;) ) but our American friends had to save ink (something about rationing during the war of independence, I think) and left the "u" out, to the point that this is now the (statistically) prevalent form. How many people need to agree on a non-standard usage or spelling for it to become an "accepted" variant? And then the "standard" form?

What you suggest is true and obviously how languages evolve. Of course, english in all it's forms originated from german language, so perhaps the German people should be complaining about how we've destroyed their language.

I think my argument just stems from irritation at hearing words pronounced or used in the wrong way. No great philosophy about it. Just a basic human emotion.

Ali - yes, I'm just kidding you

ZG - I agree about 'could of'

This is a little different, but the phrase 'try and ___' drives me nuts, and I see it all the time. It should be 'try to ___.' For example, "I'll try and call before I leave." Now that I've mentioned it, maybe it will bug you too.

[snicker]

[/anal]



Sorry, Ali, love you really.

Are you ripping on the lower-case 'e' or the apostrophe?

I know you do Zen. ;)

Now you're getting HLJ. :D

Both - the bold is a bit hard to see.

"try and ..." ugghhh.