When they should be saying ‘me’. And I will point out to people they should be saying ‘you’ not ‘yourself’.
It may be quixotic, because even newspapers write like that now.
Speaking for myself … thank you.
I think you find there’s a lot less of that then you expect.
And the reaction will be a lot stronger than you expect.
Not one person “corrected” will think you are smarter than they are, quite the opposite.
When I was teaching in Japan, I taught my students how to use ‘me’, ‘myself’ and ‘I’ etc.
I then returned to Melbourne and discovered that approximately 99% of people were using ‘myself’ and ‘yourself’ incorrectly.
I am sure the reaction will be negative. It always is when you correct someone like that. I know they will not think I am smarter. That is not why I am doing it.
I am doing it in the spirit of ‘Lynn Truss’ who decided to go around with a felt-tip pen and chane posters that had apostrophes in the wrong places.
‘change’ posters
I fear that you yourself know the repercussions that await you if you try this out on the wrong person here in Melbourne today, as the temperature wafts over 100 (F). Good luck with yer’ project.
On behalf of myself and others who might somehow fall prey to your proselytising, can I suggest that you find something slightly more important in the big scheme of things to get all noxious about?
I never said I would get ‘noxious’. Can I politely suggest that you find something better to do with your time than giving me your ‘hilarious’ suggestions.
It annoys me too blinkingblinking, but I don’t think there’s any way it can be stopped. It’s right up there with “between you and I”.
Gosh that’s hot. You have my sympathies. It’s been very mild here today. It only got to 25.
[QUOTE=blinkingblinking]
When I was teaching in Japan, I taught my students how to use ‘me’, ‘myself’ and ‘I’ etc.
I then returned to Melbourne and discovered that approximately 99% of people were using ‘myself’ and ‘yourself’ incorrectly.QUOTE]
Wouldn’t that make it the new correct usage? Language changes by popular usage.
As a person who routinely refrains from an incorrect use of the reflexive and who finds the improper use of the reflexive mildly grating on the ear, let just say
YOU’ GOTTA BE KIDDING!
You are publicly declaring that you intend to deliberately make a pain of yourself to other speakers and writers of the language simply because you have encountered a construction that you find irritating.
How pitiable.
(And,of course, if you attempt such silliness on this board you will simply open yourself to a double barrage of abuse, the first from those people who have picked up the overuse of relexive pronouns and have no intention of “correcting” speech that effectively conveys their meaning to 99.999999% of their audience and the second from all those posters who have now labeled you a language prig and who will bury you with corrections for every error (or perceived error) you post.)
Enjoy!
Oh, heavens! It has already started.
I never gave you any hilarious suggestions. May I note however, that you are indeed getting noxious, and need to go have a good lie down with a Bex and a cuppa tea.
I suggest a cool face-washer over your brow too. Sorry if you find that funny: it’s not meant to be.
I thought you were trying a pathetic atempt at humour by saying ‘on behalf of myself’. I am sorry if I was mistaken
[QUOTE=Dr. Rieux]
Why do you say ‘correct’, rather than just widespread.
What I object mainly to is any usage of words that makes it more difficult for the listener or the reader to understand. Every time I read someone ending a memo with ‘…any questions please ask myself.’ qualifies.
Calm down. I am not getting my knickers in a twist about it. Why should you? Fine. I am a language prig. People can try and point out my errors. Will they bury me? Really?
It is very hot in Melbourne today. That does not mean that everyone in Melbourne is not thinking well.
You start a thread announcing that you have devoted your day to pointing out (what you perceive as) language errors, then flounce into a thread in the Pit demonstrating your will, and you reckon you’re NOT getting your knickers in a knot??
I’m tempted to pit you myself, but it’s too bloody hot and I can’t be bothered.
Why don’t you read the responses you have garnered and take some advice?
:rolleyes:
Wow. People take things so seriously around here. My one foray into doing it shows that I cannot really be bothered to keep going.
Please show me some good advice that has been offered here. Or is that in the future ?
Maybe I do not understand this forum. I thought it was mundane pointless stuff, not the pit. I am sorry if I put this thread in the wrong place. I think I will not show people that they are being confusing by writing ‘myself’ and ‘yourself’ in inappropriate places.
Quite right. Melburnians are pretty daft in all seasons. 
You’re waiting on a response towards that little jem from** me **aren’t you Doggy?
…
Suck Tooheys and Die.