Global pandemic, surely just pandemic suffices!
I just checked this out of curiosity, apparently not:
occurring over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affecting a significant proportion of the population (Merriam-Webster, also Oxford)
a disease that exists in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals or plants (Cambridge)
In either case, not necessarily global.
People who "pull the trigger" on a bike or component.
People who say 'dropping' when referring to the broadcast of a TV show.
Nouns changed to verbs - eg gift.
Verbs changed to nouns - eg edit
Being asked if I want milk in my americano.
5 pages in and so far no mention of the very worst one.
LEAST WORST
How and why did anyone think this was an improvement on least bad?
#endofthread
I had a nice veggie sausage the other day.
Well, it was the least wurst option.
Gammon - it's a lovely cured pork meat not a load of middle-aged men who've literally gotten 110% furious about the yoof speaking differently to what they do.
I'm late to the party, but this:
Colourway. Winds me up no end!
I've been known to avoid buying products from brands who insist on on plastering "colorway" all over their press release bumpf. Stop it now.
Jimmy Carr Dark Material on Netflix has a good bash at career ending jokes that would likely trigger a STW ban if on the forum.
'Brought' instead of 'bought' as the past tense of 'buy'. Get in the ****ing sea you ****ing cretins.
Curb instead of Kerb - seen frequently in a couple of recent threads.
Oh, and Been instead of Being.
Theres someone at work who does the latter quite often, sometimes in emails that go to "all@company.com", and he's otherwise a very very clever bloke. But that really undermines his credibility in my view.
Please, just get it right. It's not hard.
Showcase instead of present.
One of the only...
That’s a perfectly appropriate word. It’s just not “segway,” it’s segue.
Thankyou. I was just having a little fizz over that... 🙂
"For Free".
For goodness sakes, that is complete twaddle. It is either "Free of charge" (usually shortened to "free") or "for nothing".
.
that is complete twaddle
I think we're well into the realms of "grammar pedants only" territory here aren't we? I mean I get that strictly speaking free isn't a noun, so you can't have a preposition before it, but everyone understands what it means, it's hardly lifetime banning territory is it?
Reoccurring
Is a word. Recur means happen again at a set time period, reoccurring is the same thing but without the time interval, normally.
Edit: ah, you've deleted it.
What’s the difference between shallow fried and pan fried?
Shallow frying uses more oil so the food is partially submerged. Half way between pan frying and deep frying.
Loose instead of lose
"I think we’re well into the realms of “grammar pedants only” territory here aren’t we? I mean I get that strictly speaking free isn’t a noun, so you can’t have a preposition before it, but everyone understands what it means, it’s hardly lifetime banning territory is it?"
My point exacatly. It is wrong!! With a capital WR. The fact that dimwits who make telly ads think it is correct doesn't make it better. The fact that people may understand it doens't make it correct either.
Curb is a very good word, especially if you know what it means. 'Curb your enthusiasm' isn't a TV show about bad parking.
Cockapoo. It's a mongrel, and you're paying over the odds for one. Ditto other made up names for mongrels
The fact that people may understand it doens’t [sic] make it correct either.
If you write something, and people understand what you mean...Isn't that essentially the point of language? If you can't break the rules occasionally, how does it evolve?
"how does it evolve?
Why does it need to evolve, exactly?
"who’ve literally gotten 110% furious"
Full house!
Would of - it's would have.
Unprecedented when used by politicians to disguise incompetence.
My dad told me he once fried an egg on a tank (you know, the armoured bang bang type)
Most of the eggs I buy are armoured, to be fair. Not sure about the bang bang bit.
In the round
Really? It describes a specific type of performance, where the audience completely surrounds the performers.
Can’t see a problem myself.
Why does it need to evolve, exactly?
Cultures change, life experiences change and so on, so existing words adopt new meanings through popular usage. Several examples I've heard my son use today meant different things 20 years ago (e.g. 'drop' (for software), 'sick' etc). The English language has always evolved - its adaptability is one of the great things about it.
Curb is a very good word, especially if you know what it means. ‘Curb your enthusiasm’ isn’t a TV show about bad parking.
My first employer asked candidates to write an essay as part of the selection process. There were several titles to choose from and one was along the lines of "increasing police spending would improve public order and help curb robbery". Of course one chap wrote several pages about people being robbed on the edge of the pavement.
Has pivot / pivoting not made it over to the UK yet? Every damned business person / wannabee has been pivoting their business during the pandemic over here.
@BadlyWiredDog – that’s a shame because having literally just got back from visiting my nieces, I was about to choose a steed from my quiver – probably the one for flatter road duties – and head out on it. It’s my pride and joy.
Thud 🙁
Why does it need to evolve, exactly?
what dost thou profess, what wouldst thou do with us?
I had a nice veggie sausage the other day.
Well, it was the least wurst option.
That deserves a round of applause! 👏🏻 I actually had a mouthful of tea when I read it, and barely stopped myself from spraying my iPad and the telly!
Really? It describes a specific type of performance, where the audience completely surrounds the performers.
Can’t see a problem myself.
Perhaps used in that context, but in a business project meeting absolutely not.
Cockapoo. It’s a mongrel, and you’re paying over the odds for one. Ditto other made up names for mongrels
My turn to be a pedant.
A cockapoo isn't a mongrel. If it's the offspring of two pedigrees then it's a hybrid, it needs at least three different breeds as grandparents to be a mongrel.
Mandem say if can get a round of cucumber sandwiches for thyself that would be sicketh muchness.
I don't know about sicketh, but likely burpeth repeatedethly.
Oh, and Been instead of Being.
Theres someone at work who does the latter quite often, sometimes in emails that go to “all@<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">company.com</span>”, and he’s otherwise a very very clever bloke. But that really undermines his credibility in my view.
Got an example? I grew up saying "X needs doing" but in Scotland "X needs done" which makes sense as it's the past participle used for the passive voice.
That makes no sense whatsoever.
"X needs to be done," perhaps.
“Deplane” meaning to disembark an aircraft. I’ve been unlucky enough to be exposed to this travesty.
alanw2007 - that's another completely unwanted, unnecessary and pointless 'word' imported from the US.
Have yet to hear 'enplane' but it can't be long before that pollutes my ears.
Logical extension would take us to 'enship' and 'deship'; shudders.
“I’ve been practicing and gotten quite good”
Or the less irritating version - I've been practicing and have got quite good .
Or the even less irritating version - I've been practising and have got quite good .
People who use ‘less’ when ‘fewer’ is correct.
For example, ‘I would have used less screws putting that table top on the base’
Pedantic I know, but well worthy of a ban, in my opinion.
The use of the word 'dead' to mean 'very'. e.g. it was dead easy..etc
and since when has 'issue' been a synonym for 'problem'?
Space and snug - it's a house not a hanger or a pub.
Got an example? I grew up saying “X needs doing” but in Scotland “X needs done” which makes sense as it’s the past participle used for the passive voice.
Posted 41 minutes ago
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Cougar
Full Member
That makes no sense whatsoever.
“X needs to be done,” perhaps
I've noticed that since moving to Scotland. TBH it doesn't bother me at all, it's just the local lingo.
The lawn needs mowed
The cat needs fed.
The dinner needs made.
Sounds odd to an Englishman but appears to be perfectly normal up here.
People who use ‘less’ when ‘fewer’ is correct.
That's more a question of style than being incorrect.
A damp squid!
Got an example? I grew up saying “X needs doing” but in Scotland “X needs done”
That's not quite what I'm thinking of. I can't remember the specific recent one which caught my eye, but consider this as an example of the misuse. Instead of saying "Being as we were discussing XYZ, we decided..." it was written as "Been as we were discussing XYZ" and that just makes my teeth itch.
That’s more a question of style than being incorrect.
No, it is the difference between a countable(plural)or uncountable noun.
Ah yeah, that's definitely wrong.
“I have rode…” - it’s “I have ridden”, you uncouth oik.
“Pre-planned” - how does a pre-planned attack differ from a planned attack?
Likewise “pre-arranged”, “pre-booked”.
My dentist has a sign on the door saying “No entry without a pre-booked appointment.”
I nearly cancelled mine.
and since when has ‘issue’ been a synonym for ‘problem’?
You are a Project Manager and I claim my £5... Well that's an annoying phrase as well...
On evolution, why is it that 'our' English needs to evolve by introducing various Americanisms and business bullshine?
Happy to update with something a bit more elegant but a constant supply of dross? No thanks.
Or the less irritating version – I’ve been practicing and have got quite good .
Or the even less irritating version – I’ve been practising and have got quite good .
I've read these many times now and I'm still unable to see the difference.
EDIT Of course as soon as I hit the button I see the difference!
Anyway, how about "I’ve been practising and have become quite good"?
My German Mum's pet hate was my Yorkshire Dad's "We was...".
a synonym for ‘problem’?
Has opportunity been disavowed in management bollocks?
EDIT
“Deplane” meaning to disembark an aircraft. I’ve been unlucky enough to be exposed to this travesty.
If considered like degloving a limb that would be removing the plane from around the passengers not the passengers leaving the plane.
Being asked if I want milk in my americano
Every single time. I only ask for an Americano because it seems that the words Black and Coffee when put together trigger a look on a barista's face that could put a startled goldfish to shame.
Also, when the wife says 'put the light out' instead of turn the light off. Where am I putting it? Do I need to unplug it first?
No, it is the difference between a countable(plural)or uncountable noun.
An explanation which would work if it wasn't for all the exceptions.
Less/ fewer was a preference emerging from a style guide in the late 1700s.
Allowit, bruv.
See also 'llowit.
What's wrong with "yes, that's right"?
When I was at school we were taught by our English master that there was no such word a "got", and it wasn't allowed under any circumstances. Fam.
Lots of words like 'hood and ghetto have a perfectly acceptable provenance and are fine in that context, but not when some snotty scrote from Esher or similar is talking about his 7-figure-house neighbourhood as da ghetto.
Similarly,"mandem's yard/crib".
'Literally' is so often used inappropriately too.
Dunno if it's been mentioned already, but 'a bunch of' to mean 'some' boils my piss way more than it should.
“Deplane” meaning to disembark an aircraft.
Is that the aircraft which is landing momentarily? Best be quick in deplaning then.
and since when has ‘issue’ been a synonym for ‘problem’?
Ah, see, they aren't. An issue is not necessarily a problem but may become one.
“pre-booked” [and the rest]
A pre-booking is a placeholder for an actual booking. If you're booked then you're confirmed, if you're pre-booked then you've provided information ahead of time but haven't committed. (Which is why your dentist's sign is plain wrong.)
‘Literally’ is so often used inappropriately too.
It literally isn't 😉
No one who uses less when they mean fewer ever seems to do it the other way around, or to struggle with much/many.
.
We need fewer people. (Correct)
We have too many people (correct)
We need less people. (Often heard)
We have too much people (never heard)
.
We need less water (correct)
We have too much water (correct)
We need fewer water (never heard)
We have too many water (never heard)
.
Why is ' We need less people' the only incorrect combination we do hear? We never hear the other three incorrect combinations
If you say “side hustle” you’re dead to me.
Edit, as in ‘summer edit’ referring to things to wear in the summer.
Any ‘hack’ you care to mention unless you are trimming a bush badly or trying to take over the launch controls of nuclear weapons.
I do however have an Americano with milk.
I’d rather have a filter coffee, but most coffee places don’t do this. So what are my options; ‘please can I have a double espresso in a large mug, top it up with hot water, and some milk please’. What would the barrister say ‘you mean an Americano with milk?’.
GET OVER IT
What would the barrister say ‘you mean an Americano with milk?
If it got as far as the courtroom maybe. Not convinced that's proportionate over hot drink naming though.
My choice came up immediately in this thread but would also agree with:
Ramp Up
Hubby
Why is ‘ We need less people’ the only incorrect combination we do hear? We never hear the other three incorrect combinations
If I were to say "I've seen Star Wars fewer than five times" then its opposite should be "I've seen Star Wars at fewest five times". Then there's the use of "less" for weights and measures despite them being countable nouns.
I prefer to use "fewer" but recognise that it's riddled with inconsistency, to the point that it's ridiculous to argue that it's a grammatical rule people are getting wrong.
“Pre-planned”
Is a word, the past tense, or plan in advance. Do you get wound up by prearranged, or premeditated?
"I've preplanned all my cycling activity for the coming year".
If you say “side hustle” you’re dead to me.
Amen brother.
And may I add, anyone not in the building trade who uses the phrase "levelling up".
Still can't believe the Tories have named a Gov't dept for it...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities
It is LITERALLY like something out of The Thick of It.
@creakingdoor I probly only understood about 50% of the words in your post. Is there a key somewhere please? 🙂
An issue is not necessarily a problem but may become one
<sad ex project manager>
An Issue is usually a Risk that's became actual (Man...) or started out as actual ie was never potential...
</sad ex project manager>
Or the less irritating version
I think this is the nub though isn't it? Both are perfectly acceptable grammar. I like that language can wind up both the grammar pedant and the grumpy old man equally.
please can I have
We were always taught 'please may I...'
IIRC, 'can' is about ability, 'may' is about permission...
I'd say it's just stylistic. Both are fine, one is perhaps a touch more polite.
nickc
Is a word, the past tense, or plan in advance. Do you get wound up by prearranged, or premeditated?
“I’ve preplanned all my cycling activity for the coming year”.
"I have planned all my cycling activity for the coming year." What's wrong with that? How does it differ in meaning from your sentence? Surely "in advance" is implicit in the meaning of "plan" - that is, to make arrangements about the future.
"prearranged" - definitely annoying. I have arranged to see my dentist. Why would I also need to prearrange to see him?
Humpty Dumpty
When I use a word.....
http://www.literaturepage.com/read/throughthelookingglass-54.html
But what do people mean when they use the word boutique?
Do they mean shop?
Do they think it's a swear word?
Pull the trigger.
"Steed" when referring to a bike.
We were always taught ‘please may I…’
IIRC, ‘can’ is about ability, ‘may’ is about permission…
It's a bit like "fewer" above, it's just kinda fallen into disuse. When asked "can I have...?" my English teacher used to reply "you can, but you may not."
There's an autism-friendly café near me. Maybe I should open a grammar-pedant café? Somewhere you can stop by and grab a lunchtime panino.
Shame this has devolved into a tedious grammar pedantry thread.
I have to do that for a living so I don't particularly want everyone else to get it right, or I'll be out of a job.
And it's a slippery slope, you start with "less" and "fewer" and the next thing you know you're getting irate about "that" being used instead of "which".
Let's keep some persepctive, eh?
