# Break != Brake **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 16, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783 "2001-02-16T19:27:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Venkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ec9cab/32.png) [@Venkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venkman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/1 "2001-02-16T19:27:54Z")
Please, people, it’s not that difficult. Brakes are what you use to stop your car; breaks is what happens to it when the brakes fail and you hit something with the car! I used to sometimes read the rec.motorcycles newsgroup and “break” was used incorrectly more often than not. I still read a few of the rec.aviation.\* newsgroups and it’s nearly as common there. That’s disappointing, no doubt. After all if you’re going to discuss nearly any kind of motor vehicle it seems like a minimal amount of effort would teach you the difference between “break” and “brake”. But now I’ve seen it right here on this very message board! I come here expecting a higher standard than what we see from the general public! Instead, now my fragile belief in humanity has been crushed! (Sorry, forgot to do any cursing in this pit post: darn!) ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/2 "2001-02-16T20:28:20Z")
I made this misteak 😃 in a recent GD thread. It happens. I am fully aware of the difference. Unfortunately, I am not above making grammatical errors from time to time. That doesn’t mean I don’t know the difference. Still got a problem with that? Lick my shithole and call it ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![Venkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ec9cab/32.png) [@Venkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venkman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/3 "2001-02-16T21:22:34Z")
Now an honest mistake I can accept. We all make them (except, of course, Cecil). I once used “your” in a letter to my mother when I really meant “you’re”, and I know and understand the difference between them. But there are those who Just Don’t Get It. I once read a post to the rec.motorcycles newsgroup that contained the following: ‘what would cause my breaks to break like that?’. I’m quite sure this poster had no idea there was anything at all wrong with that sentence. I really suck at this pit thing. I promise to be more insulting in the future. BTW, I think “Lick my shithole and call it ice cream” was a failed Ben and Jerry’s flavor… ---
**Author:** ![racerx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5e9695/32.png) [@racerx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racerx)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/4 "2001-02-16T21:34:03Z")
I know the difference, but I always appreciate a reminder thread on grammatical subjects. I think I’m going to take a coffee brake now. _hee hee_ Dammit fuck. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/5 "2001-02-16T21:49:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Venkman \* > \*\*BTW, I think “Lick my shithole and call it ice cream” was a failed Ben and Jerry’s flavor… \*\* You’re telling me! I was one of the ones who tasted the prototype… ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/6 "2001-02-16T23:12:47Z")
**mouthbreather** , that should be, “_Your_ telling me!”, of course. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/7 "2001-02-16T23:33:28Z")
“Lick my shithole”? For some people that would be a French-kiss! ---
**Author:** ![Venkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ec9cab/32.png) [@Venkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venkman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/8 "2001-02-16T23:36:58Z")
Kiss a French person??? What kind of sicko are you? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2001, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-brake/54783/9 "2001-02-17T01:27:52Z")
Before kissing a French person, be sure to apply the breaks.