# Ways in which you are annoyingly pedantic
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 1, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676 "2024-04-01T14:12:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 11
### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/201 "2024-04-11T21:15:05Z")
OK, I truly have _no_ idea what you’re talking about.
From Merriam-Webster:
> **[Definition of STOCHASTIC](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stochastic)**
>
> random; specifically : involving a random variable; involving chance or probability : probabilistic… See the full definition
> [@](#):
>
> # stochastic
>
> ## [adjective](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjective)
>
> sto·chas·tic [stə-ˈka-stik](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stochastic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=stocha01)
>
> stō-
>
> 1
>
> **:** [RANDOM](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/random)
>
> specifically **:** involving a random variable
>
> a stochastic process
>
> 2
>
> **:** involving chance or probability **:** [PROBABILISTIC](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probabilistic)
>
> a stochastic model of radiation-induced mutation
This is the only way I’ve ever heard “stochastic” used (in statistics), and I’ve never seen it to mean whatever you are saying it means. The dictionary doesn’t even list that as a possible definition.
This goes to one of my first points that when somebody is being pedantic, they often are either mistaken or do not have a full picture of what they’re pedanting about.
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### Author:  [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/202 "2024-04-11T21:15:37Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#):
>
> However, “stochastic,” means people being primed to do violence by a person speaking. The person uses innuendo, inference, out right lies, to rile up suggestible violent people. There is nothing, “random,” about it.
The point is that you don’t know the who, how, or when of the violence to come. In that sense, it arises randomly from the mass of people riled up. It’s not an organized brigade that you can see coming.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/203 "2024-04-11T21:32:35Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#):
>
> I still get annoyed when the word “decimated” is used as if it means “destroyed”. Yes, I know that this is now accepted as proper or common usage, but it still bugs me.
We need to pick what hills we are gonna die on.
Yeah, that hill in now more or less ground level. I am still a little annoyed, but if there is time and place, I will just say “you know that word- “decimated”- originally meant one man in ten died, thus the “deci”.”
And the hill for “literally” vs “figuratively” is now also pretty much smooth.
The one or two spaces after a period? let it go.
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> Ask a question that can be answered yes/no, or with a specific number/date/etc. And instead of answering yes/no or with the simple, clear answer, the other person starts to tell you a freaking story.
What I hate is when I ask- _did you do this?_ And the response is a long winded rant about how I should KNOW they didn’t or dd do that.
> [@Odesio](#):
>
> In high school, I was in a group project with one young lady who made it very clear I wasn’t to capitalize her name.
Yeah, I ask them them to write my name in all CAPS in different colors with an asterisk between each letter- D_R_D_E_T\*H. Extra points for whoever gets that literary reference.
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> I am so among my people in this thread!
Yeah, me too, but I am trying.
Note that E.E Cummings usually did not spell his name e e cummings outside of his poetry. So, when someone says “My name is ‘obnoxious dickhead’, no caps like e e cummings” you can say- Okay, when you publish poetry, you can write your name like that, because E.E generally used that only when he did his poetry, not like signing a check.
> [@Sylvanz](#):
>
> Ugh. My Hubster will often not answer the question I ask. Me: “Hubster, what time do we need to leave?”
> Hubster: “We have to be there at x time.”
> Me: “I didn’t ask you that.” Because, invariably he will want to leave 15 min. earlier than needed.
My Wife is almost always late, so I just tell her the film starts 15 minutes before it really does.
> [@xtenkfarpl](#):
>
> Reminds me of Isaac Asimov’s way of telling if a person is a chemist or a labor representative:
>
> Ask them to pronounce ‘unionised’.
And you can tell someones occupation by asking them what a "mole’ is (best done on paper since mole as in sauce is pronounced differently).
> [@xtenkfarpl](#):
>
> While we’re on that topic, are there any equivalents of the ABC song in other languages?
> Greek, Russian or Chinese, for example?
Yeah, my German teacher taught us the German song- ah, bey, say day, …
> [@Musicat](#):
>
> We will be landing momentarily.”
>
> So I guess I’d better plan to get off the plane quickly, before they take off again.
_2._
_NORTH AMERICAN_
_at any moment; very soon._
_“my husband will be here to pick me up momentarily”_
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> 23 °C. Right, finally!
Yeah, good luck with that- most keyboards dont have that symbol. And we shouldn’t call it Celsius anyway. Anders Celsius called it “Centigrade” and he was adamant it not be called “Celsius”. Not to mention, originally 0 was boiling and 100 was freezing. If we want to honor him, we shoudl respect his wishes. See- being pedantic!
> [@TokyoBayer](#):
>
> And the article goes on to show how silly this argument is.
>
> Do you complain about the misuse of:
Good point!!
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> The AP Style Guide is mostly geared with that in mind. Which is different from something like (say) the Chicago Style Manual.
Yes, and that brings up a point- there are literally no "rules in American English. There are guidelines put out by several style manuals. Mind you, your job my require you to use the Chicago Style Manual, in which case at your work, that is a rule. In France, they actually have rules and laws about using French. Not so in English. See- pedantic.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/204 "2024-04-11T21:38:08Z")
> [@Topologist](#):
>
> It’s not an organized brigade that you can see coming.
See January 6th 2021. It was organized. Unfortunatly though, we did not see it coming. Well, we did to a point. In a 😮 sort of way. We will see it next time.
Was on a call with co-workers that day. Boss said we will have a meeting tomorrow provided we are not in a civil war.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/205 "2024-04-11T21:44:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Yes, and that brings up a point- there are literally no "rules in American English.
I’ve thought about this. Teaching American English must be a very difficult job. I just watched ‘Goooood MORNING Vietnam’ staring Robin Williams. It’s good. Watch it (or watch again). He did try to teach ‘English’. Complete with sign language…
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/206 "2024-04-11T22:01:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> there are literally no "rules in American English.
Well, if we’re going to be pedantic, there are certainly linguistic rules that govern every language. You can’t just shove words willy nilly and have it make sense. But these are not the prescriptive “grammar rules” we are taught in, say, writing class, which is what you’re getting at.
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### Author:  [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/207 "2024-04-11T22:26:24Z")
How about there are no laws governing English?
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### Author:  [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/208 "2024-04-11T22:27:34Z")
I sit corrected.
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### Author:  [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/209 "2024-04-11T22:31:50Z")
It’s a new word (last couple of years) for me. I have always heard it to refer to trump’s (or others’) incendiary priming of people to commit terrorism.
_Stochastic terrorism definition_ : the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable …
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### Author:  [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/210 "2024-04-11T22:33:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> We need to pick what hills we are gonna die on.
>
> Yeah, that hill in now more or less ground level. I am still a little annoyed, but if there is time and place, I will just say “you know that word- “decimated”- originally meant one man in ten died, thus the “deci”.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve actually corrected anyone for using the word “decimated” incorrectly, unless you count the times I’ve yelled it at the TV. Or muttered it to myself while I’m reading.
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### Author:  [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/211 "2024-04-11T22:42:13Z")
> [@Yllaria](#):
>
> I’ve been told by IT that I should completely close down the computer at least once a week. Apparently, some of the updates won’t install unless the computer is booting up after being completely closed down.
IT Guy here. Yes. Absolutely. Do this at least once a week. Daily if possible.
It will fix 75% of the random issues you are having, and it will allow the system to do things we’ve instructed it to do. It also cleans up any memory it borrowed and forgot to return, and any hard drive space it forgot to return.
Don’t use sleep. Sleep was invented by satan.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2024, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/212 "2024-04-12T00:45:32Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#):
>
> How about there are no laws governing English?
That may be a better way of putting it. But guidelines isnt wrong.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2024, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/213 "2024-04-12T00:45:47Z")
> [@Noelq](#):
>
> IT Guy here. Yes. Absolutely. Do this at least once a week. Daily if possible.
Will a restart work?
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### Author:  [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/214 "2024-04-12T23:57:58Z")
A lot of my pedantries were the result of “do it like this or else.”
I was trained out of the New York Times Style Guide (probably selected at random as the course bible), which dictated “item one (comma) item two _and_ (no comma) item last.” Later, encountering the Oxford Comma, and grinding my gears over it, I saw that it made better sense. And so may or may not use it.
The military can do wonders for the pendant. Some functionary oversaw everything and determined how each method contributed best to victory in battle. And so no veterans willingly lace shoes with the bottom strand bridged across the top of the holes, or lays the bedsheets with the catch-edge of the hem facing up.
But one thing always hits wrong. I can abide people who say “myself” instead of “me” because they feel the need to be correctly legal in mystifying situations, similar to Cousin Greg’s “If it is to be said, so it be — so it is.” I’m embarrassed for them, but I understand. What I was trained never to say, though it’s supposedly okay is “me and my friend went out.” It’s rude to put oneself first, and in no time we’ll be told “I and he went out” is acceptable, then “I and him,” and finally “him went out alone” is just fine. Because descriptivism seems to be winning against prescriptivism. Well God help us some day soon when we go to the pharmacy and ask to have a description filled.
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### Author:  [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/215 "2024-04-13T01:14:51Z")
Like a lot of people who’ve read _Cheaper By The Dozen_, I get a bit obsessed about being efficient with time and motion. I apply the principles to a lot of the work I do, including cooking. Starting the longest-cooking item first has become second nature to me.
It therefore bugs me that Mr. brown, when he gets up in the morning, _doesn’t_ start the coffee water first and then proceed to read the messages on his phone. If he did so, the water would be ready right about the time he was done with the phone check. His way takes a lot longer, which means he’s taking up kitchen space when I need to get in there and get breakfast prep under way.
I’d be a giant pain if I were a head chef.
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### Author:  [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/216 "2024-04-13T01:44:11Z")
> [@teelabrown](#):
>
> Like a lot of people who’ve read _Cheaper By The Dozen_, I get a bit obsessed about being efficient with time and motion. I apply the principles to a lot of the work I do, including cooking. Starting the longest-cooking item first has become second nature to me.
I’m the same way. If I’m going to be cooking something which requires a pot of boiling water or using my cast-iron skillet, I start them heating before I start getting things out of the fridge or the pantry. Sometimes while I’m waiting for things to heat up I’ll go out to check the mailbox, or clean up the litter box. I’ll start the shower running so the water starts to heat up, and then get out my clean underwear and lay out the clothes I’ll be wearing.
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### Author:  [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/217 "2024-04-13T12:25:50Z")
There are any number of idioms to do with agriculture, sailing, old crafts and so forth, which are still in use but no one now knows what their original context was. Free reign is common because it actually makes more sense to people – having permission to rule as one chooses, as opposed to giving a horse that right.
However, it bugs the shit out of me too. Along with the new “woah!” replacing “whoa” for inexplicable reasons. Woe -ah?
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/218 "2024-04-13T13:33:47Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#):
>
> Along with the new “woah!” replacing “whoa” for inexplicable reasons. Woe -ah?
The way I personally think of it, “Whoa!” = “Stop, horse!” while “Woah!” is an interjection that is some sort of cross between “whoa” and “wow.”
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### Author:  [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/219 "2024-04-13T13:56:14Z")
Woah just looks like someone can’t spell whoa. And usually what they mean is wow, not stop. Anyway, I hate it.
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-in-which-you-are-annoyingly-pedantic/999676/220 "2024-04-13T13:58:23Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#):
>
> And usually what they mean is wow, not stop.
Now hold your horses. I think there’s usually an element of “Stop/slow down a minute—I need time to process that.”
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