<p>I’ll ask Silverweed(post 82) to re-read posts 75 and 77. Silverwood may mistakenly think one is wrong. <em>Could care less</em> and <em>couldn’t care less</em> are expressions that both mean the same thing. While one phrase may sound more pleasing to Silverwood’s ear, I don’t believe it is an error on the speaker’s part that uses one more than the other.</p>
<p>Funny about the “done” complaint. When I looked up “do” in the dictionary, the very first definition was to complete an act, duty etc. and though there were more than 37 uses and definitions for “do” none of them referred to the cooking of meat. So, I looked up “done”. It is of course past tense of do. The 4th definition was “cooked sufficiently”.
I then looked up well done(as in the meat example) and found it is properly spelled as “well-done”. There, the second definition did refer to the lack of redness in cooked meat.</p>
<p>Based on that I think is is certainly proper for a person to be done- with homework, one’s piano lesson, with an ex-flame, or any number of things. Meat can also be done- in the sense that the cooking can be completed, or can be well-done if the redness is gone. Clearly, since the cooking references are listed in the dictionary, they are acceptable uses; but anyone who says a person <em>can’t</em> be done is wrong, and correcting someone for using that usage is also wrong.</p>
<p>Regarding the “done” usage, yes it may very well be correct and perfectly acceptable. It sounded funny to my ears and elicited a picture in my mind due to a regional difference in the expression of being “finished” with something. I imagine there are all sorts of expressions that sound normal in one place and not so in another.
I’m “done doing” sounds even stranger to me but it probably makes perfect sense grammatically.</p>
<p>Regarding regional expressions, I always get a kick out of “Y’all” for example since this is also used to speak to a singular person. Yet in Quebec one sometimes said “vous autres” (you others), to one person too and this was perfectly normal to me.</p>
<p>I sometimes find myself saying or writing some of these things, even though I find them somewhat annoying myself! </p>
<p>Think outside the box
At the end of the day
It is what is is
You think?
That said</p>
<p>One usage that seems to be spreading is the use of the word “couple” versus “couple of” as in “I’d like a couple of those” versus “I’d like a couple those.” It seems to be getting more common, even though its use is not standard. When I hear or read this it just seems off to me. The rationale some give for this usage is that “couple” can be considered an indefinite amount, not necessarily “two” and as such is similar to the word "few, " however most sources disagree:</p>
<p>I love this thread! So many of the “mistakes” and irritations are things I say. I am very guilty of dropping the “of,” e.g. “I need a couple minutes.” The trick for me is to remember to write it right, regardless of how I might say it. Like that common mistake - writing “could of” instead of “could have.” </p>
<p>I also find myself using cliches or trite phrases just because they get me where I need to go without a lot of effort. I guess that’s how they become cliches in the first place.</p>
<p>I always cringe at the threads on CC that complain about poor grammar or spelling or whatever. I’m pretty good at all of that when I want to be - but on CC, I’m usually after the thought or idea, rather than the presentation, so I don’t worry about it. Just like sometimes I’m guilty of running to the grocery store in sweats and no make-up. Don’t mean to cause anybody grief over it, and it’s not what I look like all the time. It’s just not my priority at that moment.</p>
<p>^^^ I was just thinking about a similar expression “you know what I am talkin’ about”, binx-- I heard it last night. Along with other memorably annoying ones to include: “be that as it may”, “when all is said and done” and “you can take that to the bank”.</p>
<p>Isn’t “a couple of minutes” wrong, and “a couple minutes right”? Couple is an adjective; it modifies minutes. It would only be “of” if you mean some of them, not all. Like ‘a couple of these corrections are wrong’ versus, ‘I made a couple corrections.’</p>
<p>“Along with other memorably annoying ones to include: “be that as it may””</p>
<p>I really hate that one as my husband uses it after I’ve made a valid point during an argument which he wants to completely ignore. I think of it as a fancier way of saying “whatever.”</p>
<p>If you think “to be perfectly honest” is bad, how about “can I be honest with you?”. No. Please lie.</p>
<p>And how about “ya fillin’ ( feeling) me?” instead of “you know what I am talkin’ about” …Can I be honest with you? I have no problem with that one…</p>
<p>So, Merriam Webster states that although couple as an adjective is not non-standard (it is always acceptable before a word indicating degree ie “a couple more examples).” , its use as an adjective before a plural noun is used in informal speech and writing.</p>
</a>
<p>I have the same husband as Wis in post 97. I got used to the “rubbish” and “wishing someone” on his/her birthday, but I still cannot abide the “toilet.” As in:</p>
<p>H, in a restaurant, to the waitperson: Where’s the toilet?
Me, under my breath: In the BATHROOM.</p>
<p>I also don’t like the use of “I’m good” to refuse something.</p>
<p>Waitperson, in same restaurant: More coffee, Sir?<br>
(Since H has BEEN TO THE TOILET, he’s obviously empty…)
H: I’m good.
Me, under my breath: Of course you are, but do you want more coffee?</p>
<p>Lots of kids say “I’m good” in lieu of “no thank you” and “no problem” in place of “you’re welcome.” I really don’t care for “no problem” (maybe old fashioned?).</p>
<p>Jolynne, I also am bothered with the “no problem” phrase. I also do not care for hearing people being waited on at a restaurant/bakery/deli saying, “I’ll have”, or “I’ll take”, or “give me”. I much prefer hearing, “could I please have…”, or “I’d like…”</p>
<p>Another one is, “I am working out of the house”, which really may mean that the person is working in their home.</p>
<p>I find, “I won’t even go there” to be an over used phrase.</p>
<p>I’ve only read the last few posts in this thread, so I apologize if this topic has already been exhausted, but re the “Y’all” in post #102: </p>
<p>From my native Southern experience, Southerners in general have not traditionally used y’all as a singular; most of the uses of it in that form are by nonSoutherners, although some uses of it in that form are by screenwriters, authors, etc., who put it in Southern characters’ mouths. I find it comes in very handy as a plural, but annoying as a singular.</p>
<p>I’m not a Southerner, but I think the construction of a plural “you”, which exists in many other languages, is a good addition to English. I find myself using it too, because you all or y’all makes sense to me.</p>
<p>The New Jersey forms are:</p>
<p>youse (“youse are all late for class.”)
you guys
or, with the right (and fairly rare, actually) accent: Youse guys.</p>
<p>I looked a little more into the “couple of” issue. Apparently, Merriam-Webster is the most flexible on this and considers the “couple books” usage informal rather than incorrect. Other sources, including American Heritage Dictionary, The New York Times and Associated Press guides to style etc. go farther and consider it to be inappropriate usage.</p>