# I'm going to LOOSE my mind! (dorky spelling rant) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 30, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629 "2002-06-30T01:28:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tetsusaru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f14d63/32.png) [@tetsusaru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetsusaru)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/21 "2002-06-30T08:08:13Z")
To flout is to wilfully and egregiously disobey. To flaunt is to display ostentatiously. Unless you`re planning on wearing it on your head, a rule cannot be flaunted. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/22 "2002-06-30T08:24:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Road Rash \* > \*\*Here’s another: > > Flavor - what your tongue tastes. > Flavour- Hell if I know. Some British crap. \*\* That was quite humourous. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/23 "2002-06-30T09:37:17Z")
Nah, color, vapor, humor, savor and flavor are much better. All those French **U** s make it funny looking. We got that Roman thing going on. Well except for savor and flavor but we’re still closer to _sapor_ and _flator_ then you. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/24 "2002-06-30T09:48:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Osiris \* > \*\*Nah, color, vapor, humor, savor and flavor are much better. All those French **U** s make it funny looking. We got that Roman thing going on. Well except for savor and flavor but we’re still closer to _sapor_ and _flator_ then you. \*\* No point arguing over it, IMHO, who is going to change their mind? NB: Another vote for the inclusion of the U. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/25 "2002-06-30T10:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by YWalker \* > \*\*_Discrete_ means that you expect your potential sweetheart to be a distinct and separate entity. > > _Discreet_ means that they won’t tell your spouse, your boss, your parents, etc. that you’re screwing around with them. > > \*\* I consider the confrontation of two subjectivities, the recognition of the “other” by the “self” if you will, to be an essential componant of erotic interplay. Well, what did you think my personal ad meant? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/26 "2002-06-30T10:24:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blue Curls \* > \*\*No point arguing over it, IMHO, who is going to change their mind? > > NB: Another vote for the inclusion of the U. 😃 \*\* I had to bring it up though. I figure at the very least it should be mentioned once every 100 times you make fun of us for our spelling of color. Anyway now that I got you let me ask this quickly. When you go to [Cambridge Dictionary on-line](http://dictionary.cambridge.org/) and enter humour you get > [@](#): > > humour _British and Australian_, _American and Australian_ humor which seems to imply that Australians are on the fence on this. Man, I’m useless in the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/27 "2002-06-30T11:05:59Z")
Oh, get over it. Did you understand my meaning? Then get on with your life. I couldn’t give two fuck stumps whether my typing is good or evil. Sometimes shit just happens and having some anal retentive stump sucker whinge and whine about it solves nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/28 "2002-06-30T13:54:02Z")
> [@](#): > > "The English have no respect for their language, and will not teach their children to speak it. They spell it so abominably that no man can teach himself what it sounds like. " > –Bernard Shaw > [@](#): > > “(Remember) that your native language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible; and don’t sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon.” > –Henry Higgins. I’m not sure how “english is the language of the Bible”, but certainly, apalling grammer and spelling do make one seem less intelligent, or at least less well-educated. Obviously, I fall victim to it myself with stunning regularity. b. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/29 "2002-06-30T16:38:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Caught@Work \* > \*\*Oh, get over it. Did you understand my meaning? Then get on with your life. I couldn’t give two fuck stumps whether my typing is good or evil. Sometimes shit just happens and having some anal retentive stump sucker whinge and whine about it solves nothing. \*\* Claiming that having an appreciation for the depth and nuance of our language is petty or anal-retentive (note the hyphen) is pretty fucking pathetic. The only basis we have around here for evaluating another poster is by their written word—both content **and** style. And while I might get the meaning, don’t bitch at me when your misuse of the language creates a less-than-ideal impression. There’s a BIG difference between a typo or a spelling error and a common word being completely and consistently misused. The first makes you look human; the second makes you look idiotic. Now—that might be the look you’re going for, but I think most of us would prefer to appear more intelligent than you. Thanks for sharing, though. bella ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/30 "2002-06-30T18:11:50Z")
Ok, if it has to be from this board: JIVE: Jazz or swing music JIBE:To be in accord: agree If one more of you guys says “That doesn’t jive with what I’ve heard” or “Your numbers don’t jive” I’m gonna start cracking skulls. ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/31 "2002-06-30T18:22:39Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Billy Rubin_ > I’m not sure how “english is the language of the Bible”, but certainly, apalling **grammer** and spelling do make one seem less intelligent I’m going to be nice and give you a do-over on this one, Billy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/32 "2002-06-30T18:43:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > “Your numbers don’t jive” See, I think Enron’s and some other corporation’s number _have_ been jiving, which is what has caused some many problems. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/33 "2002-06-30T20:30:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Juniper200 \* > \*\* > I’m going to be nice and give you a do-over on this one, Billy. 😃 \*\* Hey, I already _SAID_ I couldn’t type. 😃 Thanks for the do-over anyway. b. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/34 "2002-06-30T22:23:39Z")
Somebody please close this rediculous rant. ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/35 "2002-06-30T23:16:27Z")
Why is it that now everyone’s so up in arms about spelling properly? It wasn’t always this way. And is it really such a great improvement? Personally, I love to see a little creativity in spelling. As Lady Hobart wrote, describing the fire of London… “sure soe sad a sight was nevor seen be foare as that sitty is now lying in ashes besides the unimmajanable loos the hole kingdom receives buy it so trobled at the sad nuse of the distroction of Londone that i could not rit” Now I think that that’s a delight to read. Sew they’re. ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/36 "2002-06-30T23:26:04Z")
Why is it that now everyone’s so up in arms about spelling properly? It wasn’t always this way. And is it really such a great improvement? Personally, I love to see a little creativity in spelling. As Lady Hobart wrote, describing the fire of London… “sure soe sad a sight was nevor seen be foare as that sitty is now lying in ashes besides the unimmajanable loos the hole kingdom receives buy it so trobled at the sad nuse of the distroction of Londone that i could not rit” Now I think that that’s a delight to read. Sew they’re. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/37 "2002-07-01T00:20:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by belladonna \* > \*\* > Claiming that having an appreciation for the depth and nuance of our language is petty or anal-retentive (note the hyphen) is pretty fucking pathetic. The only basis we have around here for evaluating another poster is by their written word—both content **and** style. And while I might get the meaning, don’t bitch at me when your misuse of the language creates a less-than-ideal impression. There’s a BIG difference between a typo or a spelling error and a common word being completely and consistently misused. The first makes you look human; the second makes you look idiotic. Now—that might be the look you’re going for, but I think most of us would prefer to appear more intelligent than you. > Thanks for sharing, though. > > bella \*\* I still presume that you understood my meaning despite the fact that I didn’t use the hyphen in anal-retentive. That’s my point. What good is it ranting about the loose use of spelling when you still get the meaning. If the meaning changes based on the inappropriate spelling of a key word then I can see your point. Yes, there are lots of its and it’s problems and loose and lose and to and too and two and all of the others, but is it really necessary to get riled at those? (Where there too many ands in that sentence?) Do you monitor individual posters to see how many times they incorrectly user the terms that cause you to lose your mind or do you see an occassional mis-type and then lose your mind? And if the way that I present a point is not to your liking and therefore I appear less than intelligent, then, guest what, I’ll get over it and maybe, for your own sanity, you might want to too. I definately have a problem with the aportophes. I cannot remember where they go. I seem to have a block that despite many attempts at trying to remember a mnemonic I simply cannot get it. Is it possible that others are not actually idiotic, but do not posses the ability to get everything right, every time? ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/38 "2002-07-01T00:54:20Z")
Re-read the OP, **Caught** , it’s actually pretty mild. I was just pointing out something that drives me nuts, and I acknowledged in the _title_ that it was dorky. The first one to get worked up was you–who so kindly called me an “anal retentive stump sucker”. I don’t start gibbering uncontrollably when I see these things, but I do notice poor English, yes. Based on the responses here, I’m obviously not the only one. I make errors in my writing. We all do–but I think if I made the same stupid mistake more than a couple times I’d be grateful to be called on it. The reason I think it’s such a bugger to me–and again, I’m talking about consistently using the wrong word, not simple misspells or typos–is that every time someone uses a word incorrectly, it risks one more person being mislead to believe it is the correct usage. I LOVE the relatively high smarts-factor around here–it’s why I spend my time on the SD and not on yahoo boards (Where our Morons are _Free Range_!) or “KewliePeepsWtPics” crapfests that drag our entire language into a festering pit of confusing banality. Language–and especially writing–is about clarity. If you want to play fast and loose with words, become a poet. If you’re trying to compose an intelligent and easy-to-read post that conveys your point clearly, you have to play by the rules. And those rules include knowing when to use “lose” and when to use “loose”, when to capitalize and where to put the quotation marks. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/39 "2002-07-01T01:10:45Z")
**belladonna.** Yes, I did refer to you in that way, it was unintentional and I apologise. I did get a little worked up and I apologise for that as well. I still stick by my point that there are some things that I (and possibly others) just can’t grasp. Like the apostrophe. I am not an idiot but I do have failings. There are some things I can’t grasp (why, I don’t know, if I did I would address them). In general I check for errors prior to posting, but for some reason, I skip straight past the of and if and on and the others small words. My SO has a fit when she reads my typing. For some reason I just can’t see them when I’m reading back my own work (sometimes it’s just because I know what is supposed to be there and I suppose because I know what is supposed to be there I assume it is). I would never take a job as a proofreader, because I am no good at it. Let’s part amicably and I’ll take your advice and avoid getting worked up so easily and maybe you could offer some advice to me as to what mnemonic I can use to place those blasted ‘’'s. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629/40 "2002-07-01T02:03:20Z")
> [@](#): > > I would never take a job as a proofreader, because I am no good at it. Ah, see–the problem has been revealed, I **am** a proofreader. 😉 As for the apostrophes–the way I always remember it is that the apostrophe is like a letter in disguise. When you’re contracting something, you just stick the apostrophe in wherever you removed the letter or letters. That’s why “you are” becomes “you’re” —the apostrophe is the ‘a’ in disguise! This comes in handy when adding the “-s” to a word as well. Apostrophe or no? Well, if your intent is to say “Sally is a bitch” it would be “Sally’s a bitch” with the ‘i’ becoming the '. See? I do so love it when things turn out friendly-like…maybe we should sing Kumbaya or something now, d’you think? 🙂 bella [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-loose-my-mind-dorky-spelling-rant/116629.md?page=3)