# Oh dopers! Why are you so pedantic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 31, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930 "2012-07-31T05:49:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/21 "2012-07-31T12:15:56Z")
Q: Who led the Pedants’ Revolt? A: Which Tyler > [@Giles](#): > > Now that’s pedantry 😃 I’d say it was pernickety rather than pedantic. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/22 "2012-07-31T12:30:32Z")
Tomato\*, tomato\*\*. \*Unspecified American accent. \*\*Unspecified English accent. ---
**Author:** ![dataguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/23 "2012-07-31T12:42:25Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Precise communication expedites understanding. > > And shit. Brilliant. This just made me laugh out loud at work. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/24 "2012-07-31T12:43:10Z")
Damn-and here all this time I would have sworn it was spelled pe_n_dantic… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/25 "2012-07-31T12:50:09Z")
- Because pendantry is a powerful weapon in the _Fight Against Ignorance!!_ - To eschew obfuscation? - Because it’s fun? - How else can I come across as haughty and dismissive when I’m online and you can’t see me arch my eyebrow in disdain? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/26 "2012-07-31T14:19:19Z")
you could have said Why are y’all so pedantic? or Why are youse so pedantic? and i would not have objected. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/27 "2012-07-31T14:21:56Z")
Because pedantry is its own reward. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/28 "2012-07-31T16:36:03Z")
I’m not sure what the appeal of SDMB – or Cecil’s _œuvre_ – is to people who aren’t pedantic. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/29 "2012-07-31T16:39:10Z")
> [@laina\_f](#): > > Since **Indian** is a registered member of the SDMB, the question should be either, “Oh, Dopers! Why are _we_ so pedantic?” or “Oh, Dopers! Why are \*some of you \*so pedantic?” Since **Indian** is included in the group referenced in the first sentence, it seems appropriate that he also be included in the group referenced in the second sentence. Thus, the second should be “Oh, Dopers! Why are _some of us_ so pedantic?” ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/30 "2012-07-31T17:14:35Z")
Tiger gotta hunt. Fly gotta flit. Doper gotta click Reply and nit-pick nit. Tiger gotta sleep. Fly gotta land. Doper better ETA before he get Banned. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/31 "2012-07-31T17:17:48Z")
Don’t hate the pedant. Hate the pedantry. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/32 "2012-07-31T17:39:58Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I disagree. Without the period, the entire sentence can be interpreted as exclamatory, rather than a non-exclamatory sentence containing exclamatory quotations. Nope, only one ending punctuation mark per sentence. Per [this cite](http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/quotation.htm): [quote] If a question ends with a quotation containing an exclamation mark, the exclamation mark will supersede the question and suffice to end the sentence.[ul][li]Wasn’t it Malcolm X who declared, “Why, that’s the most hypocritical government since the world began!”[/ul][/li][/quote] > [@](#): > > (I can do this all day.) Me too! (N.B.: Optional comma before “too” omitted deliberately.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/33 "2012-07-31T17:54:39Z")
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou pedantio? ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/34 "2012-07-31T18:00:20Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Also, it should be either “Oh, Dopers!” or “O Dopers!”. The most bizarre variation on this theme was the 1980 Chevy Chase movie, “Oh! Heavenly Dog”. I could never figure out why the exclamation point came after the Oh. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/35 "2012-07-31T18:01:38Z")
:sing: Oh, pedantic antics of linguistic semantics! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/36 "2012-07-31T18:16:02Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I disagree. Without the period, the entire sentence can be interpreted as exclamatory, rather than a non-exclamatory sentence containing exclamatory quotations. > > (I can do this all day.) You’ve reminded my of Jon Lajoie’s friend in [Everyday Normal Guy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PsnxDQvQpw) (see around 3:20). > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Example: I know virtually nothing about Doctor Who and have never watched any version of the show. Yet, after reading **Alessan** ’s correction in the [Where to start with Dr. Who?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=659607) thread,I myself have the urge to correct anyone I see spelling it “Dr. Who.” > It’s not always clear where the line between Fighting Ignorance and pedantry lies. Shouldn’t it be Doctor Whom? My vote is because pedantry is fun! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/37 "2012-07-31T18:35:53Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Now that’s pedantry 😃 > > (Incidentally, I think the concluding full stop can be dropped there, after ’ “O Dopers!” ', since the exclamation mark is already there, but perhaps I’m being over fussy.) > [@Alessan](#): > > I disagree. Without the period, the entire sentence can be interpreted as exclamatory, rather than a non-exclamatory sentence containing exclamatory quotations. Isn’t this a matter for your local style guide, though? > [@Dogzilla](#): > > Because pedantry is its own reward. _ahem_ Pedantry is its own re-word. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/38 "2012-07-31T18:41:09Z")
Doperz, y u no speek in lulz? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/39 "2012-07-31T19:53:07Z")
> [@ludovic](#): > > doperz, y u no speek in lulz? b3K4U23 W3 H4V L33TSP34K. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930/40 "2012-07-31T19:54:04Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > No, _gotta_. [Pedants truly can’t help themselves.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15314953&postcount=84) Not quite ‘my post is my cite’, but waaaay too close. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dopers-why-are-you-so-pedantic/629930.md?page=3)