Not "We"

Je suis Howard. Nous sommes tous Howard.

I agree, the "We want ... " thing sounds childish too, petulant footstamping etc.

We would all like to see an end to these presumptuous demands...

We are not amused.

Well said, and whilst we are at it...

Why when in a pub do people say to the barman "can I get"?  Why?

Also, when in a conversation with one person only i have noticed people say when addressed "do you mean me"? Well who else am I talking to..the invisible ruddy bush!!

The English language I feel is at an all time low.

There is more, but this will do for now! 

Good thread.

Well Dusty, then you should hear the Danish language. There are so many English words mixed into it these days, well MINE is anyway!

How about the word SORRY, why do people apologize for either having spoken the truth or simply vented their opinion, " Sorry, but do you know what I mean"?! ATB Peter

I see a lot of "IMHOs" included on this forum, as if the respondent could otherwise be replying for someone else with an arrogant opinion.

I think 'IMHO' is used on the forum to reflect that the comments are personally related to the poster's own experience and trying hard not to be prescriptive or come across as arrogant.

I agree with Howard about the recent rash of demands of 'We want..' If nothing else it comes across like a two year old kid making demands of a parent.

I fight it but I suspect in my advancing years i am turning into Victor Meldrew!

I don't understand those "Young Uns anymore", by the way what is No 1 in the Hit Parade? Who cares!!! Not "we' 

I don't BELIEVE IT!!!

"Can I get....?" makes a demand for service into a request. It kind-of feels more polite to me, and I must admit to using it on occasion. It is also possible that they may not have what you are requesting, and the question is therefore legitimate. Of course, you could always ask "Do you have.....?" but that would then need to be followed up by the actual request.

I've never encountered this "do you mean me" expression, other than when in a group when the recipient of the comment may not be clear.

It's all about the "me" in "we". Which is probably less revolting than it sounds.

When I was working behind a disco bar and people started to use the americanism "can I get a ..X", I would answer no, but I will serve you an X. Blank face was usually the response.

In a pub the bar wench will usually ask "what can I get you?" or "what would you like?". "Can I get a ... " is clearly the wrong response. You should reply "I would like a .... please" or "Please can I have a .....".

But the "we" thing is fine. It clearly doesn't mean the whole forum. It just makes a gentle presumption that the poster is not alone in their wish. The fact that you personally don't share the wish doesn't make it wrong.

Agree with the "I would like...." response but believe the alternative should be "please may I have...." rather than "please can I have...."

However there is one word in the English Language which must surely take No1 position as the most prolific and annoying miss used word in the wrong tense and that is the word 'sat'. 'I was sat in the chair' I may understand if people up north used that sentence because it sort of sounds a northern way of talking, but now every one seems to be saying "I was sat in the chair" and I hear it from intelligent articulate people.  It is spreading like a malignant disease!     

Not a northern thing. We all know it's "I were sat." Seriously, though, I reckon that the use of the word "done" for the past tense of the verb to do i.e. "I done it" is far more worserer. 

Banana's!

John.

We : some of the best electronic music you'll find.

Decentertainment pictured above ; track 11 (Vulpecula) is fantastic for bass tests...

Well, we like it anyway.

Jan & Erik

Hi Winki,

The time i hear the expression "can i get" is when someone says "can I get a Peroni etc", this is normally on draught (in the pubs I go to anyway) and therefore can be seen. It implies to me that "can I get" suggests that "they" being the person putting in the request want to do it themselves. Which is not the case, as the person behind the bar is "getting it for them"...confused? O yes. I don't see many diy pubs...now, thats a great idea!!

It sounds more like an American expression (and in no way do I have an issue with any Americans..disclaimer!!). I note also, on the forum many is the time I see the expression "Bang for buck" and "just my 2 cents" ( by English people on a British forum) again surely an American expression?

Anyways, I wait Adam's input to put us all at ease and add some humour and corrections re the English language.