hated expressions

"equally, I reserve the right to point out pedantic remarks, especially when I feel they're a prelude to an argument"

Ross was not being pedantic but was pointing out basic errors. Grammatic pedantry requires the respondent to make more subtle and precise corrections to meanings and usages.

Matthew

matthew.
like I said before, this is an internet forum - not an english exam.
if it was, I'd be pointing out that you should have written "grammatical pedantry".

TN

<big yawn>

Trevor,

The point of studying English and taking exams is so that when you communicate with other people you know how to do so clearly and accurately. You are then meant to use these skills when communicating with people: not cast them aside.

Anyway if you are not going to use correct English when criticising other people's English when are you going to use it?

Matthew

PS Devon is far too civilised and educated for people in the habit of using poor English. I'm surprised you are not asked politely by the local council to move to somewhere more uncouth like parts of North Wales?

thanks for the lecture, matthew.
I'll give what you said the consideration it deserves.

TN

ross.
you're not paying attention.
I always put I in capitals.
just because I like to.
if you can't keep up, best give up.

TN

Actually Trevor's last post was written in an obscure experimental form of free verse and the capitalised I, full stops and commas were all typos.

Matthew

drat, matthew's got it sussed.
you're right - as always.

TN

Trevor,

quote:

---

besides, you guys from over the pond are renowned for your phonetic use of english.

---

You mean Canadians? On the whole, no. We have adopted some American spelling conventions, but Canadians spell mostly the same way the British do. My Canadian Oxford English Dictionary is filled with all sorts of non-phonetic spelling, or, in other words, British English -- words like theatre, centre and litre. But we have adopted American spelling for distinctly quaint British English, words like tyre, kerb and gaol.

quote:

---

I guess that's why you don't have a problem with text lingo!

---

I do have a problem with text lingo. That's the point of my post.

quote:

---

with respect, I think you're being pernickety for the sake of an argument.

---

I'm not looking for an argument. It really doesn't matter to me how you spell or punctuate, or whether you like your infinitives together or split seven ways to Sunday. It's just a tad disingenuous to use bad English to complain about, umm, bad English. (It reminds me a bit of a former professor of mine, the quintessentially British Dr. Locke, who spent an hour berating students for their lack of brevity in essays.)

Joe

Is this silly spat still going on?
Really, Trevor, I think if you can't see the idiocy of complaining about standards of English, whilst at the same time not maintaining your own (for reasons of "brevity" or otherwise) you are a fool.
Ross, I wouldn't bother, if I were you. He's too easy a target to hit, smack in the bullseye, every time.
Peter

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joe Petrik:
... It reminds me a bit of a former professor of mine, the quintessentially British Dr. Locke, who spent an hour berating students for their lack of brevity in essays.

---

Joe,

Just how old are you?

Dan

Dan,

quote:

---

Just how old are you?

---

Probably not the Dr. Locke you were thinking of. This is the guy I referred to.

Joe

P.S. 39

I fail to see why Trevor can't voice an opinion on grammer whilst still maintaining his own chosen shorthand. What is the problem? I know it smacks of being slightly hypocritical, but hey, who isn't sometimes!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:
...Also nouns used as verbs:This from a UK commentator on the Masters "he carded 72"; from an athletics event " she podiumed in her last event"

---

I'm afraid I find verbing has a certain forbidden appeal, although I'm not a frequent verber.

---

"Like I said" - so many people say it, nowadays, that I have almost learnt not to wince when I hear it. Like I said, almost... Oops.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rasher:
I fail to see why Trevor can't voice an opinion on grammar whilst still maintaining his own chosen shorthand.

---

rasher, some people just like arguing for the sake of it.

TN

Peter Kay in Live from the Bolton Albert Halls pokes fun at a lot of ridiculous saying. Definitely worth a watch, it's hilarious.
John

quote:

---

Originally posted by Trevor Newall:

rasher, some people just like arguing for the sake of it.

TN

---

No they don't.

One just come up in the "Math Problem" thread:-
"its a well known fact that...." its not of course,just away of saying I knew you did'nt. Matched by the "the programme everyone is watching" the record " everyone is buying" and "everyone will be reading about who Becks is shagging in tommorows......."

Howard

We had to add the olive oil to the Carpaccio ourselves last night and this triggered a migraine thinking about people who "drizzle" olive oil onto their food....

We just poured a small amount....

Brian OReilly

I know this might upset some, but when people comment about a meal they've just had and then say 'washed down with'....

On the subject of mobile phones, and at the risk of being slightly off-topic, something else that regularly inspires nausea is the expeience of someone TALKING VERY VERY VERY LOUDLY INTO THEIR MOBILE PHONES on pubic transport, obviously to let the rest of us pleb commuters know that there is someone else in his/her life that likes him/her enough to phone them on their sodding mobile...aaaarrrggghh!!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by JonR:
On the subject of mobile phones,

---

And what about The Walk ? You know, The Walk. When the user stands up and walks toward the area with the biggest audience (captive, naturally).

And letting the damm thing ring with one of those effing annoying tones until everyone within a one mile radius has registered that the twunt is receiving a call.

Bastards

Brian OReilly

Listening to the commentary on the London Marathon, it is clear that athletes do not drink anymore they "take water on board".

cheers

Nigel

Loud talking in resturants/cafes so the whole place has to hear their usually innane conversation.
"twunt" what a great word, should get through most nanny programmes.

Howard

Keith
Don't go there, you won't get anywhere with logic. Bad is good, cool is hot, cold, good, great etc. I now just nod and say whatever or great it seems to suffice as conversation. I stiil get "why did'nt you remember xyz, I told you about it" I just say "in english next time" cue harrumphs etc.

Howard