# For bitching about language pedantry, other posters' language, and language in general **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135 "2024-06-16T22:40:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/1 "2024-06-16T22:40:24Z")
@kaylasdad99, I like your contributions in general. But please, cut the annoying pedantic corrections of people’s spelling and grammar. Is there a risk of misunderstanding? Is it something that posters will be genuinely thankful to learn? If no, then keep it to yourself. No one is reading posts like the below and thinking, wow, this conversation is really improved by that correction. > [@­xkcd thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3157): > > > [@­xkcd thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-thread/854574/3149): > > > > …the elite class shrunk and shrunk until there weren’t enough to maintain the system anymore. > > _Shrank_. > > I might not have bothered if you hadn’t written “shrunk” twice. Your initial thought to not bother? Go with that. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/2 "2024-06-16T22:43:24Z")
Cut out annoying pedantic corrections in the PIT? Are you mad? What else is the pit for, really? ---
**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:** [June 16, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/3 "2024-06-16T22:54:44Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > But please, cut the annoying pedantic corrections of people’s spelling and grammar. The comma in this sentence, while it does add an exasperated whiny tone to the lecture that I’m sure was intentional, would be generally regarded as redundant and the finger-wagging would be at least as annoying without it. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/4 "2024-06-16T22:59:11Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > What else is the pit for, really? Ahem: For what else is the pit, really? 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/5 "2024-06-16T23:05:40Z")
I distinguish between pedantic corrections and _annoying_ pedantic corrections. The former are fine (and encouraged), the latter are annoying. Please don’t ask me to define the difference, because that would be annoying. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/6 "2024-06-16T23:11:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > _[kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99), I like your contributions in general_. But please, cut the annoying pedantic corrections of people’s spelling and grammar. Is there a risk of misunderstanding? Is it something that posters will be genuinely thankful to learn? _If no, then keep it to yourself._ _First of all, thank you for the kind words_ Secondly, that crap is nails on a chalkboard for me, and I’m genuinely trying to put a stop to it. I do realize that it’s like telling the rain to stop, but I can’t help it. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/7 "2024-06-17T00:00:28Z")
I was hoping you had misspelled something so I could and pretend to be pedantic about it but really be joking, ad lib queen and all But no. Your words are perfect. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/8 "2024-06-17T00:22:02Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I distinguish between pedantic corrections and _annoying_ pedantic corrections. The former are fine (and encouraged), the latter are annoying. The last sentence is hiding behind the passive voice. Its meaning becomes clearer when stated in the active voice, thus: “I approve of the former and encourage it; I find the latter annoying”. Which then, of course, invites the obvious retort that, respectfully, no one cares what you prefer. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/9 "2024-06-17T00:39:47Z")
Has anyone ever told you your username should have an apostrophe? And spaces? And be capitalized? ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/10 "2024-06-17T00:41:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Its meaning becomes clearer when stated in the active voice, thus… By that logic, shouldn’t you have more clearly stated, in the active voice… “I, **wolfpup** , am a pedant who picks apart perfectly viable constructions of the English language for no better reason than to see myself type”? ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/11 "2024-06-17T00:53:12Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > shouldn’t you have more clearly stated, in the active voice… “I, **wolfpup** , am a pedant who picks apart perfectly viable constructions of the English language for no better reason than to see myself type”? I dispute the defense of “perfectly viable constructions” which is, at best, entirely subjective. Otherwise, I concur! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/12 "2024-06-17T01:18:05Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Cut out annoying pedantic corrections in the PIT? Are you mad? What else is the pit for, really? Besides pun wars, rabbit-hole diving, hijacks, and varyingly successful attempts at humor? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/13 "2024-06-17T01:18:33Z")
Recipes. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/14 "2024-06-17T01:19:12Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Has anyone ever told you your username should have an apostrophe? And spaces? And be capitalized? Yahoo! didn’t tell me when I first registered it with them (so I could play Hearts), and in fact, wouldn’t allow those shenanigans. Although they probably would have allowed capitalization, so that’s my bad. And ftr,\* NOT everything is nails on chalkboard for me. \*For The Record ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/15 "2024-06-17T01:21:28Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > that crap is nails on a chalkboard for me, and I’m genuinely trying to put a stop to it. And can we turn back the polluted, sludge-filled tide of people using the verb “lay” when it should be “lie”? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/16 "2024-06-17T01:22:51Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Recipes. It’s a fair cop. Also, song parodies. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/17 "2024-06-17T01:34:22Z")
A song parody about recipes. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/18 "2024-06-17T01:41:24Z")
🎼 🎶 Oh, I’ve been workin’ on the biscuits … all the live long day … 🎵 ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/19 "2024-06-17T01:42:05Z")
My Bologna! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135/20 "2024-06-17T01:42:52Z")
We had a short sprint of a book club once. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-bitching-about-language-pedantry-other-posters-language-and-language-in-general/1003135.md?page=2)