# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [September 1, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/121 "2003-09-01T03:16:03Z")
Jewelry or jewellery (though the former is far more common). See [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jewellery](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jewellery) ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/122 "2003-09-01T07:35:48Z")
I, too, often confuse “your” with “you’re” and “their”, “there”, and “they’re” when typing, although I know the correct usages of all five words. I think this is pretty common. But that’s why I proofread. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Icebrand \* > \*\*No, it’s still redundant, just on a different level. Plus, you forgot the word about the goats. \*\* [Goats](http://www.ivillage.co.uk/food/news/fnews/articles/0,,164372_185931,00.html)? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/123 "2003-09-01T16:26:41Z")
Heh. I always thought you got your “just desserts”; after all, that’s how it’s pronounced, and I figured it was metaphorical: dessert comes at the end of the meal, and your “just desserts” are what you get after your wrong-doing, usually at the end of the book 😉 It didn’t help that there are about eight million pastry shops called “Just Desserts.” It wasn’t until I was much older that I found out it was “just deserts” - “deserts” meaning “what you deserve”. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/124 "2003-09-01T18:02:41Z")
Think about this one – a friend of mine out in Colorado started his own limo service. It wasn’t until he’d printed up all his promotional materials, bought a domain and installed custom vanity plates that I realized he’d named his service “Beckon Call.” Seriously. Look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/125 "2003-09-01T19:33:57Z")
Whole Foods market scored new points with me yesterday when I noticed the sign read “12 items or \* \*\* fewer. \*\* \*” It gives me hope. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/126 "2003-09-01T19:36:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stoid \* > \*\*Whole Foods market scored new points with me yesterday when I noticed the sign read “12 items or \* \*\* fewer. \*\* \*” It gives me hope. \*\* Around here, both Publix and Kroger say “… or fewer”. Wal\*Mart, though, says “or less”. It figures. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/127 "2003-09-01T20:01:40Z")
How about anti-speeding signs: “Watch your speed. We are.” With an iconized picture of a plane… ---
**Author:** ![Hanayatori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8baadc/32.png) [@Hanayatori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanayatori)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/128 "2003-09-01T21:48:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lisa-go-Blind \* > \*\*Not angry enough, eh? > > I can’t believe these fucking asshats have already covered the fucking shit I was writing my goddamned post about! Fucking fucktards. > > How’s that, **Icebrand**? There’s a reason I don’t hang around too often in the Pit… \*\* Asshats, what a great word! I love it! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/129 "2003-09-02T06:22:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by EddyTeddyFreddy \* > \*\*Jewelry or jewellery (though the former is far more common). See [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jewellery](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jewellery) \*\* You do realize that I was talking about pronunciation, not spelling, right? Another grocery strore annoyance: “Pay just 2 for a dollar”. It should be “Pay just a dollar for two”. Unless they’re _buying_ food now. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/130 "2003-09-02T13:17:48Z")
Oops, no, I obviously didn’t. :o Sorry! Actually, while looking that up to check if my memory on the spelling was correct, I wasn’t able to confirm whether the “jewellery” spelling was more common in the UK. Any Dopers from there able to enlighten me? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/131 "2003-09-02T17:56:28Z")
Not just more common. The _only_ way to spell it, for us Rightpondians. ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/132 "2003-09-02T20:08:33Z")
Supposably, native speakers know the correct pronounciation and spelling of words. Irregardless, some definately need lessons. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/133 "2003-09-02T22:01:28Z")
Noone anyone? ---
**Author:** ![kmg365](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@kmg365](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kmg365)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/134 "2003-11-29T15:04:09Z")
Aren’t you word nazis making much adieu about nothng though? Afterall… “Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/135 "2003-11-29T16:19:22Z")
Ah. I was just giving a pal grief the other day about her use of “loose” to mean “misplace.” My other favorite of hers is “woah” to mean “stop.” I’m all for poetic license, but come on, sweetie. And as long as I’m here, let me give a couple more of my favorites. 1. There are singlular words that end in “s.” I know it’s crazy, but “the wages of sin **is** death” and “all politics **is** local.” 2. The **media** is not biased. There are so many ways to yell about this one, I’m not going to bother trying to order my thoughts. **People** involved in one area of a certain **medium** might be biased. I’m willing to concede that. But destroying the rules of pluralization in order to express your knee-jerk reaction to a news story you don’t like, and doing it by assigning bias to a **concept** makes me look around for the nearest bell tower. 3. I know I’ve lost this one, but I will NEVER type or write “alright.” And you can shoot me if I do. ---
**Author:** ![Ryle\_Dup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ryle\_Dup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryle_Dup)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/136 "2003-11-29T16:42:50Z")
::smackhead:: I confess, I did it, I used to call it pre-Madonna. I never knew of prima donna, and to make it worse, I knew of the phrase “pre-Madonna” and “prima donna” at the same time, and I thought they were different things! Agh… ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161/137 "2003-11-29T17:50:53Z")
I “love” it when newpapers can’t bother to get slang right (in articles where such slang is appropriate, of course). For example, in an feature about the teenage gang problem: “The gang members all wore matching blue **dew-rags**.” Sorry, Mr. Newswriter, that should be **do** -rag, as in a rag you wrap around your hair **do**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-your-english-is-both-easy-and-fun-mild-rant-at-native-english-speakers/196161.md?page=6)