<p>
This one is actually debated. The original British phrase is “I couldn’t care less.” In America it was transformed to “I could care less.” It sounds illogical, but we have other sayings that follow the same pattern, such as “Tell me about it!” used sarcastically. “I could care less” is the sarcastic version of the original phrase. “I could care less” is accepted as a correct American idiom.</p>
<p>has anyone mentioned much vs. many? How much soda should I buy? How many cups?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t buy that. I don’t see it as sarcastic at all. If it’s accepted, it’s only because so many people misuse it.</p>
<p>Well, the Oxford dictionary recognizes it, in any event.</p>
<p>How about “Me and my sister …”?</p>
<p>DMD I take 25 cents out of their meager allowances with the “I’m good” business! (or even worse is just “good”)</p>
<p>OK - not officially grammar but still annoying. People who say “Nook-you-ler”
Apparently the republicans were worried that Palin would make the same mistake as W so they put “New Clear” on the teleprompter for her speech. LOL.</p>
<p>In VT, lots of people say “So don’t I” instead of “So do I”. I think it’s charming.</p>
<p>“So don’t I” sounds like a Sam Goldwynism, along the lines of “Include me out” and “An oral contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” Although I wonder if it might be a more literal translation of a French usage? Lots of Quebecois in Vermont.</p>
<p>I have noticed on this board that sometimes people use the word “payed” instead of paid. This irks me. It is also a grammatical error that I had not seen before.</p>
<p>I myself literally blow my stack when I see such misuses of the English language.</p>
<p>Use of “which” not preceded by a comma when “that” is the correct word.</p>
<p>Number 2 ticks me off. “For free” should not be replaced by “for nothing”. In fact, “for nothing” is a meaningless expression. Better would be “at no cost” or “gratis”.</p>
<p>Numer 13 also ticks me off. Who uses “owing to” anyway? “Due to” or even “because” work better and don’t make you sound like a Brit or an English teacher.</p>
<p>Number 17 torques me off as well. Can’t say I can go there “by foot”, have to say “on foot”? I disagree. Do you go there “in car” or “by car”, “on horse” or “by horse”? I rest my case.</p>
<p>Other peeves: when you “complement the principle” for the excellent work she’s doing.</p>
<p>I myself love posting in these fora.</p>
<p>The English language is so difficult, even educated native speakers make mistakes all the time. For those out who feel compelled to point mistakes, screw yua.</p>
<p>I didn’t read thru the entire thread, but some things that get under my skin:</p>
<h1>1 " Where you at ?</h1>
<h1>Anything relating to " those ones " ( i.e. " How much are those ones " )</h1>
<p>In Michigan we enjoy saying “All’s I’m saying is…”</p>
<p>Anyways…</p>
<p>I recently read a book for a history class in which the author implied the fall of English civilization was nigh due to the misuse of the Latin plural.</p>
<p>Yes indeed, writing “forums” instead of “fora” will lead to Britain’s fall.</p>
<p>(More specifically, it was a book regarding the fall of Rome; he was commenting more generally on the degradation of culture, of which linguistic integrity is a part, representing one small cause in the “fall” of a civilization. He was quite British, in the manner of a colonialist.)</p>
<p>I occasionally edit fiction manuscripts, student papers and educational textbooks. I am frequently pondering the necessity of some of these distinctions. On the one hand, yes, there is a correct way to say it. On the other, are we going to be such linguistic purists that we’re going to quibble over the particular preposition we choose to pair with our verbs when the meaning is clear and the distinction fairly pedantic? </p>
<p>Certainly a hotly debated linguistic issue. I, for one, will watch from the sidelines, amused and bemused.</p>
<p>I make so many typos especially with homonyms (I really do know the difference!) that I am pretty forgiving on line. Nevertheless I cringe every time someone types “loose” when they mean “lose”. I don’t know why that one bothers me so much. Maybe because it really is pronounced differently - unlike it’s and its, you’re and your (well careful speakers make those sound different) or their, there and they’re.</p>
<p>You guys already beat me to “couldn’t care less” and “nuculer.”</p>
<p>This one is pretty lame, and maybe even a bit crude (moderators feel free), but – why do people say they are “P-O’d,” if it’s short for “pi**ed off?” Shouldn’t it be “pee’d-O?” </p>
<p>My father had a hatred of “like” and “you know,” in speech. It really bugged me as a kid but now I find myself feeling the same way.</p>
<p>How about “I’m waiting on you” instead of “I’m waiting for you?” </p>
<p>Also the use of lay and lie- “I’m going to lay down” drives me crazy! My Mom always taught us that “chickens lay eggs and people lie down.” My son actually repeated that phrase to his college professor recently when she was trying to describe this rule and she started laughing.</p>
<p>Speaking of homonyms, I never realized how many people misspell common expressions until I started reading online (although not here, of course!):
“here, here” instead of “hear, hear”
also, isn’t it “unfazed”, instead of “unphased”?
It doesn’t bother me, actually, some of it is pretty funny. But it does make you realize that people sometimes use expressions without knowing their actual meaning.</p>
<p>I’m already tired of “don’t be hatin’ on him” and “my bad.” Sports broadcasters are always saying things like “If I’m Tom Brady…”</p>
<p>On sports talk radio around here, guys are always calling the shows and saying, “I’m an alumni of Michigan State, and…”</p>
<p>cktsing, without gettng a 2-week suspension, could you explain the difference between “layed” and “laid”? And I hope it’s not “Chickens get_____<strong><em>, people get</em></strong>____.”</p>