# Improving your English is both easy and fun! (mild rant at native English speakers) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 19, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161 "2003-08-19T07:21:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/61 "2003-08-20T02:24:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lisa-go-Blind \* > \*\*I don’t think I’ve ever read your “Bricker Challenge” thread (sorry), but this is one that I’ve actually seen multiple times on this message board. **CanvasShoes** , sometimes the mistake will be pointed out, sometimes not. Can I have a link to the thread you’re referring to? \*\* Whew!!! Make me work why don’t you. And I apologize, I didn’t realize you’d seen it multiple times. (and I also hope it didn’t sound too snide! But here’s the link to the one I’m talking about. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204216&highlight=intensive](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204216&highlight=intensive) Hope this works, I’m stuck at a semi remote project site with {{{shudder}}} dial-up. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/62 "2003-08-20T02:28:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Am I taking this too seriously? ☹ I’d flatter you some more, but then it might turn into a flirt thread and I’d never find out about quotes 🙂 \*\* Oh my goodness, I posted the “it’ses” and “itses” post COMPLETELY being a smart aleck. If I’d known I was going to confuse someone I would have looked up the proper way to write what I meant regarding those two!!! I purposely put “it’ses” and “itses” just to be silly, and not to suggest that they were in any way correct (are they?,LOL) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/63 "2003-08-20T02:59:54Z")
I’m having one of my school nightmares again, aren’t I? I had told the doctor they were getting better. I’ve been away from the classroom for fourteen years. No nightmares in six months. Now this one is a doozie! I hope I spelled that right. If I can make this into a lucid dream, I’m throwing hot coffee on the department chair… that that is is that that is not is not that is it is it not what? hey… ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/64 "2003-08-20T03:10:44Z")
Did any of you see the thread the other day that had the word _Christs’s_? It was to weep! I think it may even have been in a thread title. One of the most frequent offenses here is _wierd_. Doesn’t that look weird to them? Spelling is part gift and part knowledge of the rules. I am quickly losing both. I feel certain that I have misspelled _duel_ and especially _atheist_ frequently. I hate not being able to count on my spelling. It keeps me from being a Spelling Nazi and that is such a pleasure! > [@](#): > > **Emily** : In this paper I argued that certain… ah, critical theorists use a deliberately obscurantist writing style. Is the word _trouble maker_ hyphenated? one word? 😃 I knew I liked you! ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/65 "2003-08-20T03:30:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CanvasShoes \* > \*\*But here’s the link to the one I’m talking about. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204216&highlight=intensive](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204216&highlight=intensive) > \*\* Yeah, I did see that one. However, I also remember seeing it before. Can twice be “multiple times”, or do we have to restrict that to three or four times? 😉 ---
**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:** [August 20, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/66 "2003-08-20T03:46:31Z")
Has anyone else seen: One in the same A tough road to hoe Cut and dry GAK GAK GAK ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/67 "2003-08-20T03:58:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BiblioCat \* > \*\*How about “taking something for granite”? \*\* **#1** “Ow!” “Sorry, didn’t see you there, thought you were a rock”. **#2** “Looks like those grifters conned him out of everything. Even his quarry”. **#3** “Hey, Granite!” “Huh? No, my name’s Opal”. “Sorry, thought you were someone else”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/68 "2003-08-20T04:22:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > \*\*HEY!!! While we’re at it – > > It’s **ATHEIST**. > > A = “not” > THE = “god” > IST = “believer” > > There is no such thing as an “athiest” (which looks like some kind of superlative: athy, athier, athiest). I haven’t actually caught anyone who claims to BE one using this atrocious spelling, but the day will come. \*\* And if you can’t remember that, just remember ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’… …or when it ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/69 "2003-08-20T04:24:34Z")
Oh, and… **#4** “Doctor, my head hurts. A rock fell on it”. “Here, take two aspirin… and pay my exorbitant fee”. ---
**Author:** ![mojave66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mojave66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mojave66)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/70 "2003-08-20T17:53:30Z")
Hi, I’m Mojave66. Care for a cookie? Baked them myself. I’m from a **desert.** I bring **dessert.** ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/71 "2003-08-20T18:31:03Z")
Just deserts? ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/72 "2003-08-20T19:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*I hate not being able to count on my spelling. It keeps me from being a Spelling Nazi and that is such a pleasure. \*\* “Not as pleasurable,” said the naysayer, “as being a spelling Notzi.” “Nor a spelling Nautzi,” added the sailor. “I think being a spelling Knotzi is more fun,” said the Boy Scout. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/73 "2003-08-20T19:23:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by godzillatemple \* > \*\*And let’s not forget the ignorant morons who write that they “loose” their minds, “loose” an argument, etc. > > I have to admit, though, that, while I am perfectly aware of the difference between “its” and “it’s,” I have been known to get them confused when typing too fast. Ditto with “their” and “they’re.” But I really do know the correct usage, I swear… > > Barry \*\* The whole loose/lose things drives me INSANE! It’s extremely prevalent on weight loss boards - part of me just wants to respond with “If you can’t even SPELL the word, how do you expect to do it?” I know, it’s unfair, but it just makes my head hurt. Ava ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2003, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/74 "2003-08-20T22:45:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Apollyon \* > \*\ ***#1** > “Ow!” > “Sorry, didn’t see you there, thought you were a rock”. > > **#2** > “Looks like those grifters conned him out of everything. Even his quarry”. > > **#3** > “Hey, Granite!” > “Huh? No, my name’s Opal”. > “Sorry, thought you were someone else”. > > 🙂 \*\* ::groan:: You should be taken out back and stoned for that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mojave66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mojave66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mojave66)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/75 "2003-08-21T05:50:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lisa-go-Blind \* > \*\*Just deserts? \*\* Forgot about “the exception.” Doh. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Redboss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redboss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redboss)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/76 "2003-08-21T06:59:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EddyTeddyFreddy \* > \*\*Cut and dry \*\* Um, what should it be? Cut and dried? It’s not a phrase I see often but I always thought it was a metaphor, drawn from the tobacco industry. Meaning “finished to the point where no more can be done to it” or “ready to go” However the more I think about it the more I am drawn into a dream-like state where no words seem to make sense. How curious. Dreamily yours, Redboss ---
**Author:** ![jtull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jtull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtull)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/77 "2003-08-21T08:10:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > It’s **ATHEIST**. > > A = “not” > THE = “god” > IST = “believer” Uhmmm, is this correct ? I always thought “atheist” originated from the greek word “atheos”, which breaks down to “a” (not) and “theos” (god). I’m not an expert on such things, and I would stand corrected if you could provide a cite. By the way, I’m not a native English speaker. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/78 "2003-08-21T10:07:08Z")
That’s pretty much what Scalett said, isn’t it, assuming ‘the’ derives from ‘theos’ and ‘ist’ has the standard english meaning of ‘someone who follows whatever-ism’? ---
**Author:** ![jtull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jtull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtull)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/79 "2003-08-21T10:40:35Z")
Well, “THE” is also considered to be an article, and it can get confusing… ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/80 "2003-08-21T11:20:27Z")
Anyone mentioned gorilla warfare? I don’t know how long I thought that’s what they were saying. “What’s this got to do with gorillas?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161.md?page=5)