# spelling **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 22, 1999, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311 "1999-12-22T22:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mega\_the\_roo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mega\_the\_roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mega_the_roo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/21 "1999-12-23T00:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Maybe life isn’t fair, but someone who spells “infinate” instead of “infinite” does come across as an outright idiot. one of the smartest people i know can barely finish a sentence, but that doesn’t make him any less of a person. an idiot? absolutely not. he just has a bit of trouble with his spelling. simple as that. and dlv - was einstein not a terrible speller? he most certainly was. so he’s an idiot too, i guess… since it only takes one wrong letter to qualify. * * * “human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust; we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” - albert einstein ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/22 "1999-12-23T00:28:00Z")
Three spelling mistakes. Gibberish is typically spelled with a “g”. And besides, in my reply (which generated this OP), I made a fairly stupid grammatical error. Imagine how satisfying it would have been to have identified that error and to have used it to crush me like the insignificant bug that I am. _That’s_ why you pay attention in English class! ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/23 "1999-12-23T00:37:00Z")
**techchick** – What’s wrong with this sentence? > [@](#): > > For what it’s worth, we all make mistakes in spelling, but consistant spelling errors are, like one poster said, difficult to read. Hint: It’s not the grammar! Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/24 "1999-12-23T00:38:00Z")
**pluto** – What’s wrong with your UBB codes? Sorry. I know someone else isn’t going to be able to resist! ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/25 "1999-12-23T00:44:00Z")
heeheheeehehee… 300+ posts… I’m just a newbie by the SDMB standards, DaneH. Start checking profiles. There’s plenty with many more than 300+ posts. Ever watch Austin Powers? Y’know that part where he tries to ransom the world for One Hundred Thousand dollars and everyone laughs at him? DaneH, you’re there. So far, ol’ DaneH can’t spell, apostrophes are a mystery to him, and he’s miserable at defending himself. I’d feel sorry for him, but then again, he attacked me, so I’ll just keep my pity to myself. Boy, I can’t wait 'til this thread gets moved to the BBQ pit so we can REALLY roast him. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/26 "1999-12-23T01:03:00Z")
**Roo** I think **dlv** can be pretty harsh, though he does have good things to say too. I think he fits the “lack of social graces” that I mentioned before. But that is just part of being here. Back on topic though, **DaneH** , I think what upsets people here is when someone comes here without knowing much about this, fresh out of a chat room, doesn’t use anything close to proper grammar, punctuation, or spelling and seems to want to **test** how smart these people are. I read Cecil’s column for years and this board for months before saying anything. I tried to understand something of these people instead trying to test their knowledge. There’s probably every answer here you could want, and I imagine every wise-ass remark you can handle. So the question is, what are you doing here and what do you want out of it? ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/27 "1999-12-23T01:04:00Z")
Dane, ol’ buddy, my grampa used to say there are two kinds of people in the world: those who hate being corrected, and those that get smarter. Acknowldge your mistakes, try to do better, and move on. No one here is perfect. No one claims to be (except maybe GOD over in MPSIMS). We ask questions. We get answers, or failing that, we discuss them. We’re all students here. BTW, you need to understand that this is not a typical MB. Other sites have MBs where capitalization and spelling are overlooked in favor of quick responses. That doesn’t fly here. If you are unable to communicate with us at our level, go someplace else. Otherwise, take the time to do it right. Lastly, I just want to reassure you that all is not lost. An apology and acknowledgement that you made mistakes will put you on everyone’s good side very quickly. We have a friendly and diverse community here which you would benefit from being a part of, just as we do. Eat crow, Dane. I do it all the time, and ya’know, it’s not bad once you get a taste for it. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/28 "1999-12-23T01:06:00Z")
Maybe we could all chip in and buy Dane some commas, too. English was never my favorite subject, but over the years I’ve grown to love words, and I hate to see them abused. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/29 "1999-12-23T01:10:00Z")
Well, pluto, needs a few slashes, too. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/30 "1999-12-23T01:14:00Z")
I’ve run completely out of slashes and was hoping to be able to buy more, but with Christmas and all I’m a little short of funds. I’d be happy to take donations for my slash fund. I’m afraid I can’t accept small-denomination bills, though. Please confine contributions to twenties or larger. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/31 "1999-12-23T01:15:00Z")
We’ll pass the hat. We should be able to raise ten or fifteen quatloos for punctuation before the weekend. Until then, he can borrow some of mine. ‘’’’’’’’, ## I’m not going to send some semicolons or tildes until I see how he handles these. ‘This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it.’ cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. ‘Slander those who tell it ye. Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end.’ -C. Dickens ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/32 "1999-12-23T01:20:00Z")
Well, Dane, I’ve just been to your other threads, and I think you may have a point. Granted, there were a couple misspellings and lack of capitalization, but I think you made an effort. We do have a few people that are a little trigger-happy with the “troll” label. That’s unfortunate. What bothers me is when people respond to a post and the only thing they have to contribute is criticism about the spelling and grammar in the OP. Guys, this isn’t English 101. If you don’t have anything to say about the _topic_ then lay off. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/33 "1999-12-23T01:21:00Z")
Here’s what I found in the closet, pluto, hope this helps /////////////// I know it isn’t twenty, but maybe it’ll hold you over. ---
**Author:** ![kylen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@kylen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kylen)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/34 "1999-12-23T01:26:00Z")
In the name of X-Mas, Kwanzaa (sp?), the festival of lights or whatever you use to justify the upcoming stat. holidays, lay off the kid… Or it’s a lump of coal for you all… kylen ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/35 "1999-12-23T01:41:00Z")
**kylen** I agree with you and Dr, the first comment on both his first two questions were attacks on his spelling. I didn’t object till he started attacking the peope here. Note to self: never, ever, misspell the topic. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/36 "1999-12-23T02:12:00Z")
Well, the first comment was on his spelling. And this was followed by, I hope, a reasonably intelligent discussion of the OP. (This is for the infinite number thread. The other thread got the careful analysis and discussion it deserved.) ---
**Author:** ![dlv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dlv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlv)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/37 "1999-12-23T02:23:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I think **dlv** can be pretty harsh I call it “honesty” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/38 "1999-12-23T02:35:00Z")
Does anyone here know exactly what a **peope** is? I don’t want to take up the cross for **DaneH** , but I do see that the initial remark could have set the tone for his initiating this thread. And **dlv** you’ve called me silly, harsh or honest, it’s all part of it. No big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/39 "1999-12-23T03:16:00Z")
When the world was not a busy place spelling and neat handwriting were at a premium. But now when most of us are busy constantly some of us cling to the old ways. Interestingly enough, it is the people who make spelling errors and write sloppy that tend to be the more aggressive and sucessful(Sp?). Why? Because the can’t waste time on minor matters like spelling. They’re to busy making deals and _hiring_ people to correct minor spellings. People cannot accept poor spellers as being smart, so when they come across a point that is right and they can’t win the argument they pick on what little they can. [if he can’t spell how can he do anyting else right] It’s like manners. Some people use them as weapons. Manners and ettiquette is used to make people more comfortable not less. It all comes down to class. You either have it or not. And if you do, you can pretty much do anything and look classy. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311/40 "1999-12-23T03:33:00Z")
But **Markxxx** , what in your opinion is the proper response to misspellings and grammatical errors in posts that do not contain "a point that is right …[so that] they can’t win the argument "? Specifically, semi-literate posts which are simultaneously sophomoric and inane? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling/6311.md?page=3)