# A spelling complaint: The gerund of the word, 'whine'. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 16, 2002, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851 "2002-04-16T00:45:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cougarfang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Cougarfang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cougarfang)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/21 "2002-04-16T09:27:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X \* > \*\*Oh, I almost forgot: the people who interchange “you’re” and “your” bug me, too. \*\* And “their”, “they’re”, and “there”… and "thier"s, too. **Cuate** … _groan_ ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/22 "2002-04-16T09:51:12Z")
And **it’s** with **its**. And, kids, there’s no ‘e’ in ‘mast **u** rbation’. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/23 "2002-04-16T10:47:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*And **it’s** with **its**. > > And, kids, there’s no ‘e’ in ‘mast **u** rbation’. \*\* But there’s definitely an “I” in masturbation! ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/24 "2002-04-16T11:52:39Z")
‘Whinge’ is commonly used in Ireland too. The difference is best explained by the reaction it used to provoke (and maybe still does) in Irish parents. whine = ‘please be quiet’ whinge = instant clip round the ear In case anyone is interested, Cork is the whinging capital of the known world. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/25 "2002-04-16T12:39:56Z")
Looks like all the folks who acknowledge the use of “whinge” took the wind out of Johnathan’s sails. He hasn’t said a word. At least he’s not whinging. I still like “whine” better. It means I can still use “Would you like some cheese to go with your WHIIIIIIINE?” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/26 "2002-04-16T13:21:22Z")
Give a guy a chance! Jeez. I still think it’s an abomination. I’m willing to meet you halfway on the ‘u’ in colour and flavour and suchlike. But this ‘G’ thing has got to go. Never has there been a better argument for cultural imperialism. Give it up or we’re sending more Starbucks! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/27 "2002-04-16T13:25:41Z")
Hey, I’ve been spelling it correctly all this time. Whodathunkit? ---
**Author:** ![Dilbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58f4c7/32.png) [@Dilbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilbert)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/28 "2002-04-16T13:27:09Z")
I hate it when people try and \*do anything". You try to _do something_. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/29 "2002-04-16T14:58:53Z")
Up with Noah Webster! Down with English (and Irish) English! Jonny, don’t feel too bad. Those leprechaun tossers can’t spell shit. Literally. WTF kinda word is “shite?” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/30 "2002-04-16T15:04:04Z")
Gotta admit. Think compromise people. I’m trying to meet you halfway, here. ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/31 "2002-04-16T15:19:43Z")
Bettuh repruhSENT! (I have no idea where the above comment came from. Please ignore at your leisure.) ---
**Author:** ![rubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@rubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rubes)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851/32 "2002-04-16T21:09:01Z")
Please people, can we eliminate the phrase, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too” you can do that. The proper term should be: “You can’t eat your cake and have it, too” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-spelling-complaint-the-gerund-of-the-word-whine/103851.md?page=1)