# I swiftly herewith consign to the pit, the ignorant clowns who misconstrue "its" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871 "2012-07-11T05:44:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/321 "2012-07-31T15:25:51Z")
I don’t think anyone has ever argued that cite cannot function as a verb nor that citation cannot function as a noun. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/322 "2012-07-31T15:31:29Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I don’t think anyone has ever argued that cite cannot function as a verb nor that citation cannot function as a noun. People use “cite” as a noun alot, 'specially on the internet. “Where’s your cite?” etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/323 "2012-07-31T15:36:54Z")
And we are all of us diminished by this. …Somehow. Look, just trust me, okay? ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/324 "2012-07-31T15:36:56Z")
That’s because cite, depending on context, can function as a verb or a noun. Like record and record or cloud and cloud or answer and answer. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/325 "2012-07-31T15:48:10Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > That’s because cite, depending on context, can function as a verb or a noun. Like record and record or cloud and cloud or answer and answer. It shouldn’t be though. It’s just another error slowly becoming correct through common use. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/326 "2012-07-31T15:59:45Z")
How exactly do you think the words you don’t take issue with got here? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/327 "2012-07-31T16:05:04Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > It shouldn’t be though. It’s just another error slowly becoming correct through common use. Welcome to language, moron. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/328 "2012-07-31T16:18:22Z")
Lance! þū spricst yfelice! ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/329 "2012-07-31T16:29:49Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Welcome to language, Yep. I’m quite aware that language changes, and I have no problem with that. > [@](#): > > moron. That wasn’t very nice. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/330 "2012-07-31T16:31:02Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > How exactly do you think the words you don’t take issue with got here? Common use, of course. So are there no rules of use, spelling, grammar etc. IS? Can we all just write whatever we want? Should we abolish English classes? ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/331 "2012-07-31T16:39:48Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Common use, of course. So your objection to the nominal form of cite is what, again? > [@](#): > > So are there no rules of use, spelling, grammar etc. IS? Can we all just write whatever we want? Should we abolish English classes? There are RULES of grammar but they are deep and people naturally refuse to violate them. “The dog the man bit.” violates a rule of grammar but we don’t need to worry about teaching people not to break that sort of rule. They do it naturally on their own. Rules of use are convention and conventions can change. The hip among us pay attention to our surroundings and use the conventions that match the context best. Spelling is not language. Spelling must be taught as it’s not intuitive based on speech. It is also convention and it’s good to learn what the convention is but again, conventions can and will change. It depends on the english class. If my high school experience was at all indicative of english classes in general, yeah, we could probably eliminate them with no problems. I certainly didn’t learn how to write from them and based on facebook posts, the lessons didn’t stick with my classmates either. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/332 "2012-07-31T16:40:29Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Yep. I’m quite aware that language changes, and I have no problem with that. Yes, actually, you do. Want a refresher? > [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > It shouldn’t be though. It’s just another error slowly becoming correct through common use. _That’s how language changes._ People use words in ways they weren’t originally meant to be used, and other people accept it. > [@](#): > > That wasn’t very nice. It was also [deliberately chosen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron_%28psychology%29). ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/333 "2012-07-31T16:40:59Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Lance! þū spricst yfelice! Gee, look at you, not speaking proper English. Very few people can understand you, but that’s your right! No rules! ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/334 "2012-07-31T16:43:04Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Yes, actually, you do. Want a refresher? No, you’re not going to speak for me, and we’re not going to go through this stupid debate again. > [@](#): > > _That’s how language changes._ People use words in ways they weren’t originally meant to be used, and other people accept it. And I am aware of that and agree completely. But thanks, professor, for your deep insight. > [@](#): > > It was also [deliberately chosen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron_%28psychology%29). Still not nice. But I’m quite aware of the origin of that term, thanks. Yes, words change. Thanks again for the lecture. professor. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/335 "2012-07-31T16:43:25Z")
I beg to differ. That was about as proper english as it’s possible to get. You know, before those dirty speakers got their hands on it and started introducing errors and getting them accepted through that execrable common usage. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/336 "2012-07-31T16:47:12Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I beg to differ. That was about as proper english as it’s possible to get. You know, before those dirty speakers got their hands on it and started introducing errors and getting them accepted through that execrable common usage. Nope. It’s not proper English at all, because it’s not common usage. Right? Now that you’ve made your point through satire, and once again grossly distorted mine, can you just put down the coffee and relax and stop wildly overreacting to everything I say? ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/337 "2012-07-31T16:51:25Z")
Put…down…the…coffee? I don’t understand. No, I’m not going to lay off you as long as you post moronic things. Now, why are you butthurt about cite when you’ve already agreed that the changing of meaning through common usage is how language works? ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/338 "2012-07-31T17:20:41Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Also, damn it, internet people, “cite” is a verb. “Citation” is the noun. I don’t understand it. You resurrected this thread just to re-say something [you already said](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15264261&postcount=90)? And that [we already dealt with](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15265267&postcount=108)? [Repeatedly](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15265527&postcount=119)? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/339 "2012-07-31T17:55:27Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > I don’t understand it. You resurrected this thread just to re-say something [you already said](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15264261&postcount=90)? And that [we already dealt with](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15265267&postcount=108)? [Repeatedly](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15265527&postcount=119)? I forgot I already did. Oh well, your memory is better than mine. Consider it additional emphasis. Oh, wait, I can write “you’re” memory now, cuz everyone’s doin’ it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/340 "2012-07-31T18:35:26Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > No, you’re not going to speak for me, I quoted your own words back at you. Moron. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871.md?page=18)