# Couldn't of/couldn't have **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 15, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156 "2020-08-15T05:34:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![CardboardBoxx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardboardboxx/32/7079_2.png) [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/322 "2020-10-09T09:20:15Z")
Couple **OF** things, not couple things. I know when spoken, sometimes the of gets elided to the point where you can’t really hear it but when written it’s always necessary to add the of. I’m seeing the “couple weeks” construction more and more. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/323 "2020-10-09T12:18:57Z")
Wait to you hear someone talk about “a couple, twotree” [slang - Root and meaning of the phrase 'couple two three' - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/395619/root-and-meaning-of-the-phrase-couple-two-three) > **[23 Chicago Slang Words to Know | Giordano's](https://giordanos.com/slang-words-used-in-chicago/)** > > Traveling to Chicago or new to the city? Get to know our everyday slang so you can chat with locals like you are one! ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/324 "2020-10-11T20:20:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > … > > allow me to observe that in English grammar, we have to distinguish between _de juro_ rules > > … > > Allow me to observe that in English _spelling_\* we have to deal with [_de jure_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_jure) rules. > > [Issues quick prayer to St.Gaudere.] 😉 > > * * * > \* at least of of Latin imports. Over 170 posts read, nearly two months later, just for me to say: Your prayer to St. Gaudere wasn’t answered 😉 > [@LSLGuy](#): > > - at least _ **of of** _ Latin imports. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/325 "2020-10-11T21:43:14Z")
Thanks. I first noticed that goof about a week later when I was reading way lower down in the thread and wondered what I’d last said. I sure didn’t see it right away when I posted, nor for the next few days as the thread progressed. :smack: We can’t know how many other people saw it but gave me a pass. I bet it was few; this crowd can be brutal on nitpick posts gone wrong. You and I might be the only ones who knew. Until now. Blabbermouth! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/326 "2020-10-12T11:51:24Z")
The written word usage that annoys me is using “worse” instead of “worst” (e.g. “worse case scenario” or “this is the worse trip I’ve ever been on”). I could of sworn that people knew how to use the word “worst” when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/327 "2020-10-13T01:33:50Z")
Mmmm… I’ll take it there’s a joke sorta hidden in there. I might of misread it though. Anyway, on your theme I’ve often heard “if worst comes to worst”. To which I always want to interject that it’s too late apparently. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/328 "2020-10-13T05:30:41Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Anyway, on your theme I’ve often heard “if worst comes to worst”. To which I always want to interject that it’s too late apparently. Originally, the phrase was “if worst comes to worst.” But that was ages ago. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2020, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/329 "2020-10-13T05:37:36Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > My friend in New Mexico just posted a pic of a long-awaited rain shower. One of her friends commented: “I love rain on the dessert!” I’ve always wanted an English teacher ask me to spell duh-zert. I would reply d-e-s-e-r-t. Because the soldier decided to desert his post! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/330 "2020-10-13T06:25:20Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Anyway, on your theme I’ve often heard “if worst comes to worst”. You meant to write “anyways”. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2020, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/331 "2020-10-13T10:24:40Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > > [@duffer](#): > > > > Anyway, on your theme I’ve often heard “if worst comes to worst”. > > You meant to write “anyways”.   No, he should of written “any way”. Although, in this particular elocutionary coalescence, “any ways” would also be considered grammarially veridical. ETA: Hey, my reply was to @eschereal. How the fuck did I get a reply pointing to @california_jobcase? It literally makes me crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/332 "2020-10-18T05:22:05Z")
“If wurst comes to worst.” It’s a spoilage thing. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/333 "2021-03-05T02:56:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I don’t know whom you think has stopped using it, Of course, the ones who use it incorrectly are worse than those who don’t use it at all. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156/334 "2021-03-05T03:54:03Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It literally makes me crazy. I suspect you may have been predisposed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-of-couldnt-have/918156.md?page=16)