# A thread for fun spelling/grammatical mistakes in the wild **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144 "2026-01-29T07:52:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/1 "2026-01-29T07:52:38Z")
In a political argument yesterday, a woman began with “I’ve been saying this from the gecko . . .” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/2 "2026-01-29T08:39:13Z")
One DHS official to CNN: > “The department needs a > law enforcement leader, not a sicko fan.” > [@NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 4)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2992): > > DHS official speaking anonymously to CNN doesn’t know the word “sycophant”. [[image] ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hx6d55znvrhk4j6mqmed6bbf/bafkreigmzkhng4hflvphqdshy3vkuhv5mmuwkcpvlnp3umjwtt3h24vjr4@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/3 "2026-01-29T09:43:40Z")
This isn’t a human error, but the hilarious result of automatically generated captions. In an aviation video I was watching recently, the narrator made several references to a “check pilot” – a qualified senior pilot who evaluates the capabilities of other pilots. Each time, the caption read “Czech pilot”! Yes, the Czech Republic has the best flight schools in the world – that’s where you want your supervising pilots to come from! 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/4 "2026-01-29T10:30:07Z")
Yesterday, our local weekly reported on the city commission meeting, during which an application for a ‘serial malt beverage’ license was approved. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/5 "2026-01-29T12:27:45Z")
Someone held their finger on the shift button too long. [![](https://i.imgur.com/R11yAjd.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/R11yAjd.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/6 "2026-01-29T15:07:05Z")
This isn’t exactly an error, at least a I think, but a difference in philosophy. I’ve seen several news reports about NASA where NASA is treated as a plural (e.g., ‘NASA are planning to launch in February.’). I think that’s mostly a Britishism(?), an action by a group is treated as as actions by the members of that group. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/7 "2026-01-29T15:24:47Z")
I don’t know if it’s ever been corrected, but the mall had large cigarette receptacles outside of the doors. They had signs attached that said, Please **Extinquish** Cigarettes Before Entering. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/8 "2026-01-29T15:47:02Z")
Our mayor was giving a little speech during the council meeting about scams and what to be “weary” of and at first I let it go but he used it 3 times so I leaned over and said “leery” to, I dunno, help him save face. When I read the minutes from the clerk, the clerk used “wary” in his summary instead of “weary” or “leery” and I told him that was just as good. I think it’s a common mistake people say “weary” instead of “wary” or “leery.” But I don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/9 "2026-01-29T15:50:48Z")
I used to live on a street called McKenzie Street. One of the street signs misspelled it as “McKinzie.” It has since been corrected. A few years ago I was interviewed by the local newspaper, and I happened to mention the British TV show “Midsomer Murders.” I guess the writer of the article wasn’t a fan, because it appeared in the paper as “Midsummer Murders.” It was corrected in the online version. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/10 "2026-01-29T15:59:40Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > One DHS official to CNN: > > > “The department needs a > > law enforcement leader, not a sicko fan.” > > [NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 4) - #2992 by Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2992) I think that’s perfect, and surely there are occasions where the two terms would legitimately be interchangeable. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/11 "2026-01-29T16:20:53Z")
Agreed. It’s similar to “old timer’s/Alzheimer’s disease.” ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/12 "2026-01-29T16:22:32Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I think it’s a common mistake people say “weary” instead of “wary” or “leery.” But I don’t like it. I hear it at least once a year, and it always sets my teeth on edge. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/13 "2026-01-29T16:30:32Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I used to live on a street called McKenzie Street. One of the street signs misspelled it as “McKinzie.” It has since been corrected. A longtime sign for “Fredrick” Street in Arlington, Virginia was eventually corrected to “Frederick”. ---
**Author:** ![Cwturner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Cwturner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cwturner)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/14 "2026-01-29T16:31:53Z")
“Agreed. It’s similar to “old timer’s/Alzheimer’s disease.” Or die-rear/diarrhea ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/15 "2026-01-29T16:31:57Z")
Our substitute exercise leader does a facial exercise where you’re supposed to pucker your lips in an exaggerated kiss. She says “pierce your lips” instead of “purse”. I don’t know if that is a regional pronunciation from wherever she grew up, or a misheard word on her part. It grates on my ears. On the local news, there is a reporter who, when talking about a large truck, pronounces it “semee”, as in semitone, instead of “sem-eye”. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/16 "2026-01-29T16:35:24Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > They had signs attached that said, Please **Extinquish** Cigarettes Before Entering. NM, I missed that the G was a Q. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/17 "2026-01-29T16:48:41Z")
Does bad closed captioning count? “The Amazing Race” has some of the worst closed-captioning I’ve ever seen, frequently out of sync and riddled with spelling errors. One memorable goof was a leg in India that ended in the gardens near the Taj Mahal. A team of two women was running around frantically trying to find Phil at the mat. One woman says something like “I know Phil must be nearby, I can smell his cologne.” Except that the closed captioning had “colon”. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/18 "2026-01-29T17:04:29Z")
Years ago my church had a weekly newletter which outlined upcoming events it once put an “n” where a “g” should be to print: “_The church sinning group will meet on Monday at 7:00pm_” It made it on TV which had a section on such mistakes. I also heard about a warning that came with a carving knife that while good advice it not exactly what they meant: ”_WARNING keep out of children_” ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/19 "2026-01-29T17:37:27Z")
While camping once at a national park, I was amused by a sign that said “do not wash your dishes under the spicket”. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144/20 "2026-01-29T17:46:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > pronounces it “semee”, as in semitone, instead of “sem-eye”. This one is regional dialect. IIRC, the north-east says tractor-trailer, the south-west says “eighteen-wheeler” the rest of the west says sem-eye and the rest of the east says sem-ee. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fun-spelling-grammatical-mistakes-in-the-wild/1027144.md?page=2)