Word usage help

I just attended a rehersal where an MC introduced a special guest. My task is to critique the rehersal. The MC said, “It is my distinguished pleasure to introduce…” I posed that it might be more correct to say “distinct pleasure”. The MC said she was recently coached, by another reviewer, that “distinguished pleasure” is correct. “Distinguished pleasure” makes no sense to me. Any thoughts? Has anyone else ever heard anyone of knowledge use “distinguished pleasure?”

Thanks for your input.

Chuck L.

You’re right, they’re wrong.

I mean, I guess you could make case for distinguished (as well as for almost any other adjective), but the idiomatic expression is: distinct pleasure.

I suppose, for this use, ‘distinguished’ and ‘distinct’ are synonyms, both meaning ‘noticeably different from others’, but ‘distinct pleasure’ is definitely the more common use.

How about they go for something more complimentary than ‘not like the others’? Say, perhaps, ‘great pleasure’, ‘extreme pleasure’, or something along those lines? I find it’s usually easier to change a phrase entirely than to quibble over word choice.

Good point, Saltire. My initial response WAS a suggestion to use “great pleasure” or simply “pleasure.” I find it counterproductive to criticise my peers to our common customer, and am more at ease with a comprimise position. This one is am much foe me, and for future reference, as it is for correction of this immediate situation. Thanks, again.

Chuck L.