Not a Word (of the day)

[wamjratl1]

This is a chicken-and-egg problem, but one to which the solution is known. Not really a problem, per se, just a fact.

Tell me: does a dictionary reflect the words people are using, or do the words people are using reflect what the dictionary contains? A, definitely. Language is spoken first, written second.

In other words, does a dictionary define a language, or does it describe a language? Both actually. Mostly used to define what is currently considered correct standard English (not regional or slang or non-standard). It includes slang and words that are considered "non-standard" because these things are definable and in use, but not widely considered correct. But like I said in my post, many of those words may eventually become standard. "Irregardless", however, may be one of those words that is always considered incorrect due to the double negative. "Regardless" means "without regard". "Irregardless" would actually mean "not without regard" therefore meaning "with regard".

I argue that a dictionary describes a language, and is therefore perpetually behind the times. As far as our day to day speach, maybe. But the dictionary does define what we should use in our formal communications. And agin, this changes too (tho not as often as the vernacular) - that's whay dictionaries are updated so often. I think that the dictionaries themselves prove my point quite handily... every so often, they add words that the people have been using. But they never, ever, EVER make up words that are then to be adopted into the language.

It is also worth noting that language is regionally defined. A personal example: my parents were divorced when I was quite young. I lived with my mom and stepdad... one of the foods we'd eat on occasion there were white hot dogs (pork, veal, beef, spices), known as "coneys" (pronounced cone-E).

One summer, when I was visiting my dad and stepmom, I asked if we could get some "coneys" from the grocery store (yes, they did sell them in both states). My stepmother thought I was being racist, using some derivation of the word "coon". Yup. Similar when I try speaking Spanish to someone form another part of Mexico than the guys I'm used to talking to. Dialect can be a nightmare.

Red.

[Borror0]

I was watching this video this morning. It's somewhat related and pretty interesting. Thought I'd share.

There is a little talking about some YouTube drama until 3:50, but then it gets interesting.

EDIT: Ninja

[Zenako]

Let us not forget the alltime favorite on these forums...


the always stealthy and sneaky Rouge...who backstabs with red powder

back to the rabbit hole...

[ThrasherGT]

The one that really gets Me is when I see:

"My house needs fixed" when it should be "My house needs TO BE fixed" or "My house needs fixing".

I see this and hear this more than You would think, and it drives Me crazy..............

[Spartus]

What bugs me more is actual words used incorrectly in place of very similar words, such as: than/then, your/you're, accept/except, their/there, to/two/too, etc.

But back to the subject of the OP, the latest one that's started bothering me is people using "prolly" when they mean "probably".

[transtemporal]

If someone is going through an Orientation, they are being Oriented, not Orientated.

Heh, and "marinate" not "marianate". :-)

However, orientated has the same meaning as oriented. It's personal preference which one you use.


"Irregardless", while slightly ********, is a legitimate informal term listed in the oed.

[OldTobey]

I always thought it should be irrespective instead of irregardless

[Strakeln]

Anyone ever heard someone say "yous twos"?

An entire side of my family says it that way. They're from Utica NY, where I have heard others say it. Not sure if it's specific to that region or if it's more widespread.

[wamjratl1]

Anyone ever heard someone say "yous twos"?

An entire side of my family says it that way. They're from Utica NY, where I have heard others say it. Not sure if it's specific to that region or if it's more widespread.

YES! My mother-in-law says "yous" (not yous twos but close) . But then I'm from GA and say "y'all" so who am I to complain about that one...

She's from Boston btw so maybe it's a New England thing...

[Aeneas]

The one that really gets Me is when I see:

"My house needs fixed" when it should be "My house needs TO BE fixed" or "My house needs fixing".

I see this and hear this more than You would think, and it drives Me crazy..............

Never move to the greater pittsburgh area or you will kill yourself.

[Mithran]

I had to learn by the time I was four that "alot" was not really a word, and that I needed to make it "a lot." There are some great examples of things that I find most irritating, but I'll add another couple that I find quite annoying:

Nulcear
Misunderestimated

[Tahlyn]

SoCal favorite for parents that drives Me crazy.

"lookit, the mall Santa is here"

[PurdueDave]

The one that is kind of a pet peeve to me is "you've got".

[Mithran]

"Waiting on," in lieu of "waiting for."

Okay. It's a term, but it doesn't mean what you think it means.

[ThrasherGT]

The one that is kind of a pet peeve to me is "you've got".

It's wrong, agreed, but saying "You've the flu" just sounds wrong (unless You say it with an English accent)

[Mithran]

It's wrong, agreed, but saying "You've the flu" just sounds wrong (unless You say it with an English accent)

It sounds better to say: "You have the flu."

[ShaeNightbird]

"The reason is, because...." Aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhh!

[ThrasherGT]

An old one, from Brooklyn, I believe:

"Throw Me down the stairs My coat!"