# Nobody can spell anymore!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 3, 2000, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893 "2000-09-03T20:30:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phouchg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@Phouchg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phouchg)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/1 "2000-09-03T20:30:56Z")
OK…I’ve had it. The most serious problem facing this country isn’t taxes, or global warming, or the commies or whatever… IT IS THAT 98% OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE FUCKING MORONS!! I have found 3 instances of just atrocious spelling on the internet _in the past 5 minutes_: 1-from a website I am going to rant about later on: The principles in your book literally “blue my mind!” 2-In a classified ad: Wanted: 2 bedroom apartment. Must except pets. 3-On a bulletin board: I found the fix your looking for. AUUUUGH!!! I know that spelling errors will exist forever, but it is just my imagination, or are people just really dumb? I seem to recall a sci-fi story about a girl who divided the world into “Brights” like herself, and “Stupids” for the other 98% of humanity. I feel like her now. Oy. I need to lie down now. Phouchg ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/2 "2000-09-03T20:38:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phouchg \* > \*\*OK…I’ve had it. > > The most serious problem facing this country isn’t taxes, or global warming, or the commies or whatever… > > IT IS THAT 98% OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE FUCKING MORONS!! > > I have found 3 instances of just atrocious spelling on the internet _in the past 5 minutes_: > > 1-from a website I am going to rant about later on: > > The principles in your book literally “blue my mind!” > \*\* Well, some of Picasso’s paintings “blue” my mind away 🙂 > [@](#): > > \*\* > 2-In a classified ad: > > Wanted: 2 bedroom apartment. Must except pets. \*\* Makes perfect sense to me. The advertisers want a place where pets will not be accepted (they will be “excepted.”) 🙂 > [@](#): > > \*\* > 3-On a bulletin board: > > I found the fix your looking for. \*\* So, what’s a missed apostrophe and an e among friends? 🙂 I think I’ll quit now before **Phouchg** gets REALLY mad at me. 🙂 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/3 "2000-09-03T21:10:29Z")
> [@](#): > > I know that spelling errors will exist forever, but it is just my imagination, or are people just really > dumb? People are just really dumb. And lazy. Bastards. I feel your pain man. Some of your examples are what really pisses me off. Here on the message board, web or even in personal letters I can see not worrying too much about editing. On an advertisement or other published document I just can’t believe someone would be so careless. I don’t attribute that to laziness though; I think they just don’t know how to spell. Also, it doesn’t seem to be emphasized in schools much anymore. A few years ago, I dated someone who had recently graduated high school. I found out she didn’t know what a verb or noun was, along with a host of other grammar-related things. Since then, I’ve made it a point to talk to as many high school graduates that I can and query them on it. Most have no idea. It’s sad, really. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/4 "2000-09-03T21:39:45Z")
From a paper written by one of my students: “The advertisement for Ralph Lauren’s fragrance ‘Romance’ is in fact romantic. It displays a full page, black and white photograph of an attractive man, romantically but passionately lifting a beautiful girl up to hold her. The woman has her legs wrapped around the man’s waste.” I laughed for a solid five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![henbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4af34b/32.png) [@henbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henbin)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/5 "2000-09-03T21:42:24Z")
The real answer is spelling reform. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/6 "2000-09-03T21:59:13Z")
Some people, I believe, have learning disabilities, and have difficulty with spelling. I occasionally help my father proof-read his letters to the editor. For some reason spelling has always been an obstacle for him (he wasn’t taught phonics, but whether that matters or not is discussed at [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=35132) thread). He is aware, however, that he has a problem, and looks things up in the dictionary or asks for help with proofreading. Maybe people who misspell badly on the Internet are trying to keep up with the fast pace of some of the faster typists/better spellers, and can’t. Although I find this distracting, I usually can get past that if I am interested enough in what the other person has to say. ---
**Author:** ![Lazarus7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@Lazarus7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazarus7)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/7 "2000-09-03T22:41:06Z")
Eye dohn’t sea wut thuh prohblum ez … whut eez yer pruhblim, due-ed? ---
**Author:** ![Angie\_Gailbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@Angie\_Gailbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angie_Gailbird)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/8 "2000-09-03T23:11:39Z")
I tend to have a really snobbish attitude, not so much about spelling and typos, but about grammatical errors and miuse of words. Whenever I see someone mix up “your” and “you’re”, or talks about “loosing touch”, I automatically tend to think that the person isn’t very intelligent. There have been a few cases where this way of thinking was completely wrong, and I know that I make mistakes myself, but I still do it. And now that I’ve posted this, I’m sure there will be no less than three errors. _grins_ ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/9 "2000-09-03T23:40:50Z")
This has chafed my ass as well. I can somewhat understand not knowing the proper way to use your or their, though it seems easy to me. What I truly loathe is cutesy ‘respellings’ of words like d00d, cuz, or when people think that they are the artist formerly known as Princess and use numbers and letters for entire words. If u continue, I will kick you 4 times in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/10 "2000-09-04T00:00:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angie Gailbird \* > \*\* . . . mi **s** use of words. > > . . . talk[s] about “loosing touch”, I automatically tend to think that the person isn’t very intelligent. > > There have been a few cases [where] \*\*in which \*\*. . . > > . . . I’m sure there will be no [less] **fewer** than three errors.\*\* The third and fourth are arguable. The second is a mistake in verb form, and the first is no more than failing to hit the s key. Note that I am not perfect. I just insist that everyone else be as much:) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/11 "2000-09-04T01:02:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phouchg \* > \*\*1-from a website I am going to rant about later on: > > The principles in your book literally “blue my mind!” > > 2-In a classified ad: > > Wanted: 2 bedroom apartment. Must except pets. > > 3-On a bulletin board: > > I found the fix your looking for.\*\* I can’t defend the first two (Especially the first which is truly mindboggling), but the third is a simple mistake. Something quick and informal as that seems to be gets, by me, a lot more lee-way than an ad or such. (The first can be argued to be informal, and was definitly quick, but it’s WAY past where I’d consider allowable.) ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/12 "2000-09-04T02:31:13Z")
Recently seen on signs at the Maryland State Fair: **No Smokeing** These were professionally printed signs, not hand-lettered signs. I just stood there in amazement. I always see signs like “Lawn’s Cut. Call Mike.” “Yard Sale. Household Good’s.” I also hate the cutesy spellings and the upper and lower case typing. I also hate “your and you’re” and the “their, there and they’re” and the “accept and except” mix-ups. _Maybe it bothers me cuz I gots a degree in English. Or the fact that I is an teacher. Whats you’re opinion?_ ---
**Author:** ![Kaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaz)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/13 "2000-09-04T02:48:08Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by CandyBoi_\*\* > “I cry myself to sleep…what you sew i reap…i hate the fool i am…god damn your rightous hand…”-Manson > > I’m sick of this perso-christion socity of double standereds we live in. For instance, my weight training class. I was in it and did all the work asked of me. I gained almost 40 lbs on my bench press alone, squats I did by far the best for anyone with my body frame (6’1, 175lbs), I did the bulldog run in under 12 mins (a mile and a half run) I wasent a slacker in any way, unyet i got a B in the class. That would be peachy accept for the fact the jocks, whom sat and talked to the couch the ENTIRE class and NEVER did anywork ALL god A’s. BULLSHIT…when we got in touble (as a class) we had to do bear crawls, which of corse the jocks dident. That was just one class… > > Everytime I see one of there happy asses walking around in sweats with the school logo all over themselfs laughing at the goths, punks, and “quiet” ppl it pisses me off. When fights break out, who gets expeled, the non jocks/preps. Who the fuck drinks and smokes out EVERY weekend, but still magicly passes the piss screenings…the jocks/preps…I could go on and on about all the bullshit that happens in the american public school system, but id rather this page load up in under a mintue…_sigh_ okie, I feel better now. > > Anyone else goto public school who thinks the system is fucked? > \*\* I’m not sure how to make a link to a thread, but this was a thread that I recently read, and by the time I was half way through with it, I was disgusted. It got to the point where I could not understand what the OPer was talking about, because I was to busy deciphering his words. This is where it goes to far. It would have taken him a minute more to go over this and change the 50 times that he screwed up. This compared to you’re/your is comparing a bug bite to a mountain dropped on you, and though both are annoying, the more immediate problem is the mountain of crap that is being dropped on us. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/14 "2000-09-04T02:57:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kaz \* > \*\*I’m not sure how to make a link to a thread, but this was a thread that I recently read, and by the time I was half way through with it, I was disgusted. It got to the point where I could not understand what the OPer was talking about, because I was to busy deciphering his words. This is where it goes to far. It would have taken him a minute more to go over this and change the 50 times that he screwed up. This compared to you’re/your is comparing a bug bite to a mountain dropped on you, and though both are annoying, the more immediate problem is the mountain of crap that is being dropped on us. \*\* Democritus and I were able to make sense of the OP through a few posts . . . Demo took care of the big things, I took care of the more . . . delicate changes that needed to be made. The OP in that thread was about how jocks and preppies get what they want, at least in his weightlifting class, and people who are not J or P do not get what they want. IOW, another whiny Pit post. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/15 "2000-09-04T05:50:54Z")
I feel your pain Phouchg. Would you like a xanax? Fretful Porpentine, would you be so kind as to pass a napkin my way? I need to clean up the soda I just spewed all over my monitor… ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/16 "2000-09-04T06:16:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fretful Porpentine \* > The woman has her legs wrapped around the man’s waste." Ow!Ow!Ow!Ow!..jeez that’s so funny it **hurts** …on the other hand, if it’s true: yuck. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Pit_and_The_Pendulum)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/17 "2000-09-04T19:07:45Z")
You picked a name like that and you’re worried about spelling? What are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![tiggeril](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tiggeril/32/7234_2.png) [@tiggeril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiggeril)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/18 "2000-09-04T19:09:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bongel \* > \*\*You picked a name like that and you’re worried about spelling? > > What are the odds? \*\* Excellent work, Sparky. Lord knows _that’s_ a winning argument. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@The\_Pit\_and\_The\_Pendulum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Pit_and_The_Pendulum)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/19 "2000-09-04T19:38:57Z")
I’m sorry I offended you, but this IS the pit, so it will get a little rough. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893/20 "2000-09-04T21:22:16Z")
Let’s face it. In this television / telephone generation just how important is the printed word anymore? The media predigests and spoon feeds us sound bites that are designed for a fruit fly’s attention span. Letter writing is a thing of the past (mea maxima culpa). Between the truncated lingo of modern “youthspeak” and the de-emphasis of the arts and letters in schools, what’s a pedant to do? My last girlfriend had handwriting that made chickenscratch look like fine calligraphy. I was speculating upon this with a friend who finally hit upon the truth of the matter. This girl had never bothered to write very much in school, so why would she know how to write at all? A little too obvious for me I suppose. If everyone had to read aloud from their own writing, things might be different. Along with the written word, story telling is fast becoming a lost art as well. So, what’s the big surprise here? We are now in a society that no longer values the ability to express oneself clearly and cogently. Is this really news to any of us that lament the current level of spelling in these threads? Fortunately, such a lack of letters is often a self limiting factor in these people getting anywhere in the world. Still, it is sad to see such butchering of something so marvelous as the English language. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-can-spell-anymore/31893.md?page=2)