# Can nobody spell the word "lose" correctly? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542 "2001-01-11T16:51:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doc\_Moss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Doc\_Moss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Moss)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/1 "2001-01-11T16:51:11Z")
The opposite of **win** is **lose**. The opposite of **tight** is **loose**. You do not **loose** , a race, you **lose** it. It appeared as though that needed some clearing up. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/2 "2001-01-11T17:10:07Z")
I know what you mean, Doc. I loose my temper anytime I see people confusing the two. Perhaps I should losen up a little bit, or people are going to think I have a screw lose. ---
**Author:** ![Doc\_Moss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Doc\_Moss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Moss)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/3 "2001-01-11T17:16:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Strainger \* > \*\*I know what you mean, Doc. I loose my temper anytime I see people confusing the two. Perhaps I should losen up a little bit, or people are going to think I have a screw lose. \*\* Clever, I’ll give you that. ---
**Author:** ![Brunetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@Brunetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brunetter)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/4 "2001-01-11T17:20:49Z")
I don’t often correct spelling and grammar on this board - well, unless you count doing it in my head. I know that to do so would have me branded as a humorless tyrant immediately. However … it still drives me nuts to see all these posters who are supposed to be a cut above the rest, intelligence-wise, making all kinds of stupid mistakes. Do they honestly think it’s wrong of me to notice, or care? Loosers. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/5 "2001-01-11T17:38:55Z")
Yes, I hate it too, and I cannot understand why people do it. I wonder whether there are any accents in which the two sound the same. That might explain it, if not excuse it. Must dash; I have a cold and need to sneeze and blow my noose.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ce73a5/32.png) [@Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2001, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/6 "2001-01-11T17:47:16Z")
I went and checked, and sure enough I used it correctly [in this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=54558) Now where’s my cookie? ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/7 "2001-01-12T04:51:13Z")
Lose and loose used incorrectly bothers me, too, but my personal pet peeve is either the it’s/its or the there/they’re/their one. I actually found a sign at Epcot the other day that said something like “the car that’s ahead of it’s time.” Man, does nobody proofread??? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/8 "2001-01-12T08:37:27Z")
On an episode of Friends recently, Phoebe had to break a dinner date with Joey and she said she “felt badly” about it. I don’t know her hands stopped working. En ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/9 "2001-01-12T16:09:52Z")
I find loose/lose mistakes distracting to read, because I must mentally pause and correct the writer’s mistake. I also get slightly miffed about than/then and affect/effect mix-ups. ---
**Author:** ![Alonist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Alonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonist)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/10 "2001-01-12T16:16:47Z")
Sometimes spelling mistakes make me so mad I can’t breath. I wish less people would make them. ---
**Author:** ![Kakkerlak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bb73d2/32.png) [@Kakkerlak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakkerlak)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/11 "2001-01-12T16:57:19Z")
than/then I could let pass. “It’s” is a mistake I make myself. affect/effect is tough on those who didn’t have a good grammar teacher. But to use “loose” when “lose” is correct is INEXCUSABLE ! You do not deserve to call yourself and English-Speaking Person if you make this mistake. Renounce thy language and move to Texas. Makes me nuts. AAAAAUUUUUUGHHH ! ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/12 "2001-01-12T17:07:56Z")
I have a spelling checker. It came with my PC. It plane lee marks four my revue Miss steaks aye can knot sea. Eye ran this poem threw it, Your sure reel glad two no. Its vary polished in it’s weigh, My checker tolled me sew. A checker is a bless sing, It freeze yew lodes of thyme. It helps me right awl stiles two reed, And aides me when aye rime. Each frays come posed up on my screen Eye trussed to bee a joule The checker poured o’er every word To cheque sum spelling rule. Butt now bee cause my spelling Is checked with such grate flare, Their are know faults with in my cite, Of none eye am a wear. To rite with care is quite a feet Of witch won should be proud. And wee mussed dew the best wee can, Sew flaws are knot aloud. And why I brake in two averse By righting wants too pleas? Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays Such soft ware for pea seas. ::Arthur of this poet tree knot known:: ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/13 "2001-01-12T17:21:31Z")
It just occurred two me that the above poem might be copyrighted, don’t know for sure. Somebody sent it two me a few years ago and I thought it was cute so I hung on to it. If it vanishes I suppose I’ll have my answer. Gonna keep the first verse as my sig line though 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/14 "2001-01-12T20:12:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Roachman \* > But to use “loose” when “lose” is correct is INEXCUSABLE ! You do not deserve to call yourself and English-Speaking Person if you make this mistake. Renounce thy language and move to Texas. Dammit, don’t send them _here!_ It’s bad enough trying to read all the smartass posts in this thread! Every common mistake listed so far makes me grind my teeth at each encounter. \ “I will _not_ play grammar cop.” “I will _not_ play grammar cop.” “I will _not_ play grammar cop.” . . . . ---
**Author:** ![Nukeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@Nukeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nukeman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/15 "2001-01-12T23:09:22Z")
alonicist: I suppose you will kill yourself or something when you realise you spelt breathe wrongly. (or do you spell it ‘breath’ in america? in which case I apoligise. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/16 "2001-01-13T01:43:47Z")
I think that was a typo. Things like there/their/they’re and lose/loose aren’t typos, they are ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/17 "2001-01-14T17:18:20Z")
originally posted by **Doc Moss** > [@](#): > > If I were to to sneek up behind Anna Kournikova and go _snip_, would I get charged? How about the word **sneak**? originally posted by **Spider Woman** in the Calvinball begins thread: > [@](#): > > . . .The spider babbies Or the word **babies**? ----:o/ ----///\\ I think there are lots of people who make mistakes, but I enjoy reading their posts anyway. I hope you won’t let that detract from your enjoyment of the boards, **Doc Moss**. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/18 "2001-01-14T19:24:43Z")
What if people actually said it like that in real life? “What a looser?” ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/19 "2001-01-14T19:48:39Z")
I haven’t been in here earlier, because grammar and spelling aren’t on the list of my talents. Or even things I do. Quite plainly, I can not spell. My posts are phrased the way that I speak, so the grammar isn’t all that wonderful either. I do worry that I’m not communicating as well as I could, or even should, because I love interacting with you people and I don’t like screwing up such a wonderful activity. On the other hand, I’m not going to run every one of my posts through a spellchecker because I’m lazy and already spend too much time on the boards. ---
**Author:** ![Meephead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@Meephead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meephead)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542/20 "2001-01-14T20:35:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Totoro \* > \*\*What if people actually said it like that in real life? > > “What a looser?” \*\* Maybe they are just trying to over-emphasize the first syllable? I have seen it spelled “Looooooooooser” a few times for just that purpose. Perhaps this is just a watered-down version rather than a mistake? 😃 > [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Roachman \* > > But to use “loose” when “lose” is correct is INEXCUSABLE ! You do not deserve to call yourself and English-Speaking Person if you make this mistake. Renounce thy language and move to Texas. > > _Originally posted by balance_ > Dammit, don’t send them here! It’s bad enough trying to read all the smartass posts in this thread! Every common mistake listed so far makes me grind my teeth at each encounter. Thanks! You beat me to the punch there! I must add that most of the people I know, personally, who commit these grievous errors and live around here, have been transplanted from somewhere else. I do not judge, though. Like **balance** , I just grit my teeth and move on. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nobody-spell-the-word-lose-correctly/49542.md?page=2)