# Commonly Misunderstood/Misused Words or Phrases **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 16, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922 "2005-12-16T15:48:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/141 "2015-04-16T03:02:07Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Bemuse. > > It means to bewilder or confuse. But I often hear it used to mean essentially the same thing as “amuse”. Agreed. In my observation, one third of the time this is used correctly, one third of the time this is used incorrectly, and one third of the time its usage is ambiguous and I have no fucking idea. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/142 "2015-04-16T05:00:16Z")
> [@evejanelucille](#): > > There are no degrees of uniqueness same as there are no degrees of “deadness” or degrees of “pregnantness”. > > Someone is either dead or alive, someone is either pregnant or not, something is either unique or it isn’t. Ok, yes, the state of being pregnant is essentially Boolean. But if I describe one woman as “more pregnant” than another, everybody understands that I mean that she is further along in her pregnancy. I have clearly communicated the idea. Which is the point of language. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/143 "2015-04-16T07:17:40Z")
[quote=“Jeff\_Lichtman, post:140, topic:335922”] > [@Kenm](#): > > When George Washington became president in 1789 he gave the country’s first inaugural address. He gave the first presidential inaugural address. Or was that by Peyton Randolph? :rolleyes: Can’t get around more perfect union, though. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/144 "2015-04-16T08:24:33Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > IMHO, a case could be made for either, if the context permitted. > > “All Told” might be kin to “All that being said…” > > “All tolled” might substitute for “all totaled” (bottom line…) > > My vote for most frequent of the two without a contextual background would be the “all told” version. I know this is an old post, but I can’t let it go. It’s “all told.” Tell, in this context, means count. Just like in Automated Teller Machine. No need to theorise about the origin - it’s quite straightforward. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/145 "2015-04-16T09:29:27Z")
As usual with this type of topic, I think many people are assuming that the meanings of words can never change, or must logically follow from their etymology. Not so. Some examples I found from this thread (I’ve not bothered with quotes, because I’m lazy and also because it’s a zombie thread) _data were_ Of course “data is” is accepted in almost all dictionaries / grammar guides now, which of course makes sense given that the word datum was so rarely used. _Exception that proves the rule_ It’s true that the legalize meaning was the original source, and has the advantage of _actually making sense_. But in what sense can you correct someone for using a term in the same way as 99% of people? Whatever it originally meant, now it’s understood to have this paradoxical meaning. _orientated_ Orientated is a valid variant, particularly in British English, where it’s more common that oriented. * * * I was going to try to contribute an example to this thread: “nonplussed”, but I see that many dictionaries list both meanings now. Good thing I never corrected anyone’s use of this. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/146 "2015-04-16T14:04:15Z")
I always thought it was “Hear, Hear!” but so many people write “Here, Here!” ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/147 "2015-04-16T14:07:03Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > I always thought it was “Hear, Hear!” but so many people write “Here, Here!” Which reminds me of the days when “Right On!” was in. An older gal at work would try to be hip by saying “Right-o” which brought smiles. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/148 "2015-04-16T15:30:29Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Which reminds me of the days when “Right On!” was in. An older gal at work would try to be hip by saying “Right-o” which brought smiles. From about the same era: On the old \*Sanford and Son \* TV sitcom one recurring minor character was a sadly nerdly white cop. Officer Hoppy or some such. Who was always trying lamely to demonstrate how well he blended in with South Central LA’s overwhelmingly black working-poor culture. He always said “Right Arm!” when something was especially groovy. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/149 "2015-04-16T15:37:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > From about the same era: > > On the old \*Sanford and Son \* TV sitcom one recurring minor character was a sadly nerdly white cop. Officer Hoppy or some such. Who was always trying lamely to demonstrate how well he blended in with South Central LA’s overwhelmingly black working-poor culture. > > He always said “Right Arm!” when something was especially groovy. We have to be from the same approximate era. Some work buddies and I would try to abuse the latest catch phrases whenever possible. Examples: Out of sequence Farm out Harvey Piss love (there have to be more that are slipping my memory…) ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/150 "2015-04-16T16:11:04Z")
I am sure this one has been beaten to death in other threads - “The suspects drove the car away at a high rate of speed” While that may be factually correct, but they actually meant “at high speed”. This pops up regularly in local and national news and make me grind my teeth in frustration every time. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/151 "2015-04-16T16:56:38Z")
I always wonder about those who say stuff like “The car he drove was red in color.” Just what else could a car be “red in?” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/152 "2015-04-16T17:08:01Z")
tooth and claw? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/153 "2015-04-16T17:17:00Z")
Joking apart, colour names quite often mean something other than the colour. If I said “a green car” it might wel mean that it’s eco-friendly, non-polluting. A red car … maybe it’s a vehicle favoured by communists. Probably not, but you take my meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/154 "2015-04-16T17:26:18Z")
This point in time. It grabbed the world’s attention during Watergate and won’t let go. Every time I hear it, I think of Nixon’s three goons and his declaring he’s not a crook. I suspect there’s kitten blood on the speaker’s soles. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/155 "2015-04-16T17:49:08Z")
I always see or hear the silly “in color” when someone is obviously just describing the color of something. People are just trying to sound fancy. Also, when did “at this time” and “at that time” replace now and then? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/156 "2015-04-16T18:05:36Z")
There’s an ad on TV for some reality show where one of the subjects describes her job as a “doggy dog world.” Yes, I listened closely, and that’s what she says. I replayed it and turned up the volume, and I’m sure that’s what she says. Now, she’s not the first person to say this, but most people who say it are either non-native speakers, or under the age of ten. I always wonder what images are in people’s heads when they get something like that wrong. What does she think a “doggy dog world” is? What do people imagine it’s like to be taken for granite? How do you curve your enthusiasm, and why would you want to? Do people think that gardeners and landscapers are particularly plagued by painful epithelial tumors on the bottoms of their feet? do they wonder why? can you avoid them by avoiding feed and seed stores? If someone writes “baited breath,” is that just a spellcheck error, or does he think a mouthful of grubs is a good metaphor for waiting anxiously for something? What does someone think an “intensive purpose” is? What did that lawyer whose ad promised “Piece of Mind” think she was promising? ETA: oh, yeah, that First Sergeant who always talked about the “physical year”; what did he think that was? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/157 "2015-04-16T18:11:17Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > I always see or hear the silly “in color” when someone is obviously just describing the color of something. People are just trying to sound fancy. Also, when did “at this time” and “at that time” replace now and then? People in the military talk like that. They’re trying to be precise, but what they’re doing is sounding like the forms they fill out all day long. A form has a space for the color of something, so they get the idea that it’s not enough to say something is red, but that you have to let the listener know you are providing the information about the color. It’s a kind of back-formation, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/158 "2015-04-16T22:45:06Z")
> [@evejanelucille](#): > > There are no degrees of uniqueness same as there are no degrees of “deadness” or degrees of “pregnantness”. > > Someone is either dead or alive, someone is either pregnant or not, something is either unique or it isn’t. Except you can be almost unique - if, say, there are only two of your type in the world - but it’s much more difficult to be almost pregnant. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/159 "2015-04-16T23:42:33Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Except you can be almost unique - if, say, there are only two of your type in the world - but it’s much more difficult to be almost pregnant. If you took Plan B right at the very last opportunity, you may have been almost pregnant. I guess you can be in a perpetual state of almost uniqueness, though, but being almost pregnant is transitory. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b782af/32.png) [@Why\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_Child)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922/160 "2015-04-17T01:19:04Z")
This thread is almost ten years old, but I would like to add that I wish people would learn the difference between THEN and THAN. I’ve been seeing it more and more often on the Dope, and it bothers me. ☹ **ThEn is a statement of timE. ThAn makes a compArison.** If you would rather dust, **then** run the sweeper, I assume that this is so you can sweep up the dust you have put on the floor. This, then that. Statement of time. If you would rather dust **than** run the sweeper, you have stated your preference. This, than that. It’s a comparison. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonly-misunderstood-misused-words-or-phrases/335922.md?page=9)