# Dudes of straight dope, if I type in proper english... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 15, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899 "2013-09-15T08:14:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/61 "2013-09-15T14:31:16Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Why? He’s merely agreed not to be an idiot here. But, have you looked at the other 5 or 6 threads he’s posted in? Get a grip, he’s nothing more than a lawn gnome trying to be a troll. I think he made those post before he had his epiphany. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/62 "2013-09-15T14:32:56Z")
> [@Gateway](#): > > Then go cry abt it. In every post i made sum1 is on my ass abt how its not up to their level of how they think every1 should type apparently. > > 1. Its faster > 2. There is no 2 cuz 1 is all u need! For reel… if u dont like it tuff. As long as i get the message across then i dont see y u guys r so sensitive abt it. Go talk abt it with ur therapists or sumthin, but keep ur obvious observation that im not using “proper” english outta my threads. > > And i suggest u all look at ur reel motivation behind needing my posts to be written “properly” Why is tradition good 4 the sake of tradition? Who’s idea was it that this or that way is the rite way? The tragedy here, people, is that we’re fighting the inevitable. This post is representative of the logical end-point of the evolution of English. For those of you that like to say that language is descriptive and promote such views, this is your poster child. In another generation this will be perfectly acceptable because the people that speak this gibberish will be firmly entrenched in positions of authority. Thanks for nothing. ---
**Author:** ![pope\_hentai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pope\_hentai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pope_hentai)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/63 "2013-09-15T14:44:57Z")
Why is grammar and composition important? Let us start with a couple of examples. Now, we’ll say you have an uncle Jack. He owns a horse he likes to ride. He an older gentleman and has a bit of difficulty with the saddle. Would you prefer to either A: Help your uncle jack off a horse, or B: Help your uncle, Jack, off a horse. Same words, but all the difference in meaning through grammar and punctuation. “lets eat grandma!” or " let’s eat, grandma!". See what i mean? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/64 "2013-09-15T15:16:14Z")
Reading for comprehension includes reading content in its entirety. Well done, those who clearly stopped reading well before the OP changed his tune. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/65 "2013-09-15T15:28:45Z")
He changed the _arrangement_. The _tune_ is the same. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/66 "2013-09-15T15:29:11Z")
> [@pope\_hentai](#): > > Why is grammar and composition important? Let us start with a couple of examples. > > Now, we’ll say you have an uncle Jack. He owns a horse he likes to ride. He an older gentleman and has a bit of difficulty with the saddle. Would you prefer to either A: Help your uncle jack off a horse, or B: Help your uncle, Jack, off a horse. Same words, but all the difference in meaning through grammar and punctuation. “lets eat grandma!” or " let’s eat, grandma!". See what i mean? Not really. In a vacuum, there’s no reason to prefer one version over another and in the context of a story, the surrounding details would make it clear whether you were expected to assist your uncle in dismounting or in equine masturbation. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/67 "2013-09-15T15:46:04Z")
Plonked him. Very doubtful he had anything unique to say that I’ll ever need to read. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/68 "2013-09-15T15:48:16Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Not really. In a vacuum, there’s no reason to prefer one version over another and in the context of a story, the surrounding details would make it clear whether you were expected to assist your uncle in dismounting or in equine masturbation. Not necessarily. Uncle Jack might enjoy both horseback riding AND expressing his appreciation to the horse for the pleasant jaunt. And require assistance with both. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/69 "2013-09-15T15:50:53Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Reading for comprehension includes reading content in its entirety. Well done, those who clearly stopped reading well before the OP changed his tune. This. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/70 "2013-09-15T15:51:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Plonked him. > > Very doubtful he had anything unique to say that I’ll ever need to read. > [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m really glad I didn’t see this until now and that I read the whole thread before replying. Thank you for being willing to read our collective point of view and changing your posting style quickly. It really speaks well of you as a person and new Doper. > > One thing I’d like to add, not because you need any more convincing or anything, but just because I think it’s interesting: when I read posts like your first one, not even considering the content, just the style, my impression is that the writer is itching for a fight, is unwilling to put forth much effort, and is unwilling to change. These are my prejudices/preconceptions, and I wasn’t really aware of them until this thread. Obviously, in just a few hours, your demonstrated that you’re not any of those things that I thought you were reading the first few posts. > > So, I’m going to work to try to be more aware of my bias, and not jump down the throat of posters who use textspeak. I will continue to ask them not to do it here, and perhaps save this thread so they can see some great arguments against it and a wise person who decided to change when presented with those arguments. But I will try to do so without a preconception that they’re going to resist and never change. Without the snark that I would otherwise employ on a poster I consider a “drive-by” or otherwise too annoying/stupid/stubborn to waste time on. > > I would not have had this epiphany if you’d dug your heels in. So thank you for not digging your heels in, both because it will make your future posts easier to read, and also because it taught me a little something about the world and about myself this morning. And it’s not even 9am! 😃 Wait, did I act too soon? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/71 "2013-09-15T15:52:20Z")
Well, this one fizzled out. So, OP, what’s your stance on declawing cats? Ordering milk in a bar? Taking off your shoes when visiting someone else’s house? ---
**Author:** ![Watsonipresume](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7993a0/32.png) [@Watsonipresume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Watsonipresume)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/72 "2013-09-15T15:55:39Z")
So nice to see a gathering of intelligent people. I’m going to enjoy this place… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/73 "2013-09-15T15:56:57Z")
Oh, very well. You’re unplonked, **Gateway**. Welcome to the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/74 "2013-09-15T15:59:04Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Reading for comprehension includes reading content in its entirety. Well done, those who clearly stopped reading well before the OP changed his tune. Doesn’t matter. That he was trolling the shit out of us doesn’t alter the essentials, or the fact that there really are people who write like this and are extremely proud of it. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/75 "2013-09-15T16:02:31Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Wait, did I act too soon? Shockingly, yes, I think so. Seems like a reasonable chap/ette after all. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/76 "2013-09-15T16:18:32Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > I’m just a caveman. Your modern world frightens and confuses me! I actually looked for a “Like” button when I read this one. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/77 "2013-09-15T16:26:52Z")
I’m glad **Gateway** has decided to take our advice to heart and post in a standard style of English. I find I ironic that people who type in text speak claim that it is faster, though. It’s faster for me to use normal English because I don’t have to think about how to put the words down. I would have to use more mental effort to type my words in a different manner. And I don’t use the excuse that I’m using a smartphone. I use my iPhone to post quite frequently and have learned to adapt quite well to typing with it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/78 "2013-09-15T16:34:41Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Doesn’t matter. That he was trolling the shit out of us doesn’t alter the essentials, or the fact that there really are people who write like this and are extremely proud of it. Pretty much this. I clicked on the partial thread title from the main page, and I was prepared to see a thread that was about preemptively asking for our approval to “[not] type in proper english.” While I was expecting to not assent to that\*, I was not prepared for the come-out-swinging nature of the OP. It created a really BAD first impression, AFAIWC\*\*. _Oddly enough, having learned that he’s typing on a game controller, I find myself having some sympathy for the PITA_\*\* experience he is putting himself to by posting at all, and now that he’s agreeing to play nice with our neurons and synapses, my SECOND impression is far more favorable. \*\* As Far As I Was Concerned \*\*\* Pain In The As-- You know what, **Gateway**? I figure you’ve probably got this one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Girlundone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Girlundone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlundone)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/79 "2013-09-15T16:41:46Z")
[QUOTE=SeaDragonTattoo] Make yourself a fuck shit stack, be ready to stand in it. [/QUOTE] _“Where my gerunds at?”_ Ok, that shit is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899/80 "2013-09-15T19:17:03Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > I’m sorry but explain to me how typing the “@” symbol is faster than typing at. > > … Or how typing “b-ing” is faster than typing “being.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dudes-of-straight-dope-if-i-type-in-proper-english/668899.md?page=5)