# Yet another grammar rant...my eyes are bleeding! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 24, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308 "2004-08-24T18:22:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/81 "2004-08-26T12:15:09Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > I admit to hating the word “complected” as well. Imagine my aggravation when I looked it up and there it was in the dictionary. Inflected =\> inflexion (or, nowadays, inflection) Reflected =\> reflexion (or, nowadays, reflection) Complected =\> complexion Makes sense to me… Anyway… > [@Number Six](#): > > The way I read it, he’s reminding his employees that they are inferior to him. The exclamation point adds emphasis, as if he’s poking his employees in the chest as he tells them they must follow his lead. > > You seem to have found a different meaning that escapes me. Please share. I think the sign is _supposed_ to read: **Some people lead, some follow. Which are you?** i.e., a challenge to sheep-like employees to take the initiative. But who knows – maybe the boss prefers the other reading 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/82 "2004-08-26T12:19:36Z")
Oh, another one along similar lines which really steams my beans is the sort of advert that screams something like: **Looking for cheaper car insurance.** Then call us now…blah blah Huh? Is that meant to be a question, or what? These kind of ads almost _never_ put a question mark in. Terms and conditions apply. Void where hopribited by Gaudere’s Law. ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/83 "2004-08-26T13:10:04Z")
**TellMeI’mNotCrazy** > [@](#): > > And “parenths” instead of “parentheses”. There is 1 parenthesis, 2 parentheses and **NO parenths** or however the hell you would spell that. Tho, your thaying I don’t have parenths? I’m a bathtard?! Thcrew you! :wally[sup]h[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/84 "2004-08-26T13:15:49Z")
> [@marky33](#): > > For the sake of your ass, do not read the first post in this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272632) You knew I was going to have to look, didn’t you? Bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/85 "2004-08-26T13:27:29Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > You knew I was going to have to look, didn’t you? Bastard. Please consult the immediately previous post for a clarification. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2004, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/86 "2004-08-29T07:22:32Z")
The past tense of “pet” is “pet,” but I don’t think “petted” sounds too bad. Other verbs that have themselves as their past tense are set, and cost. Those are the only ones that come to mind at the moment. Now. If the boss meant, “Some people lead. Some follow. You are the latter,” he should say so. Just like that. But I assume he actually meant, “Some people lead, some follow. Which are you?” The only thing that “really” makes my eyes “bleed” is the “emphasis quotes” which make no sense. I just try to imagine that they spelled ‘\*’ wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2004, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/87 "2004-08-29T10:54:20Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > The past tense of “pet” is “pet,” but I don’t think “petted” sounds too bad. Other verbs that have themselves as their past tense are set, and cost. Those are the only ones that come to mind at the moment. I hate to ask, but can you cite that for me? At Miriam-Webster, for instance, it says " Inflected Form(s): pet·ted; pet·ting" Does that not mean what I think it means? OED seemed to say the same. Or is this a case of the dictionary being too descriptive, or else behind the times? ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/88 "2004-08-30T04:04:44Z")
Maybe people think the past tense of pet should still be pet because it rhymes with set. I know that there are lot of people who think the plural of beer must be beer because the plural of deer is deer. Nobody ever believes me that there is no law of rhyming. The plural of mouse is mice but that doesn’t mean the plural of house is hice. I’ve had this conversation many times and I’m pretty sure that’s how I will die…beaten to death by someone who’s had too many beer. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/89 "2004-08-30T04:30:09Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > \ The plural of mouse is mice \ No, no, no. Everyone **knows** that the plural of _mouse_ is _meeses_. And I don’t mean Ed. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/90 "2004-08-30T05:50:10Z")
How about the use of ‘liaise’ to mean ‘to facilitate a liaison’? “We’re happy to report that John, our newest partner, will be liaising the deal.” Yeesh. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/91 "2004-08-30T08:00:56Z")
[QUOTE=TJdude825] Now. If the boss meant, “Some people lead. Some follow. You are the latter,” he should say so. Just like that. But I assume he actually meant, “Some people lead, some follow. Which are you?” QUOTE] Should it be something along the lines of: Some people lead, some follow. Which do you do? or Some people are leaders, some are followers. Which are you? ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/92 "2004-08-30T14:18:35Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > No, no, no. Everyone **knows** that the plural of _mouse_ is _meeses_. > And I don’t mean Ed. I hate meeses to pieces. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/93 "2004-08-31T04:13:33Z")
Every week, I have to listen to this idiot construction supervisor note that something is a “mute point.” He must have just learned the phrase (incorrectly), because he says it at least a dozen times over the course of an hour-long meeting. LISTEN UP, FUCKWIT, THE WORD IS “MOOT”! ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/94 "2004-08-31T06:42:00Z")
> [@cazzle](#): > > Orientate is the preferred form in Australia Not around ME, it isn’t! Argh. And while we’re at this stuff and have the Olympics on our minds, athletes (NOT athaletes) win medals, they do not medal! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/95 "2004-08-31T11:58:05Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Every week, I have to listen to this idiot construction supervisor note that something is a “mute point.” He must have just learned the phrase (incorrectly), because he says it at least a dozen times over the course of an hour-long meeting. > > LISTEN UP, FUCKWIT, THE WORD IS “MOOT”! Of course, you could always tell him the correct version is Joey Tribbiani’s (from _Friends_) version, “ **_Moo_ Point**.” You know, a cow’s point of view? It just doesn’t matter, so it’s a Moo Point. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/96 "2004-08-31T15:34:40Z")
My 13-year-old daughter is starting her third year at Tammy’s Body Motion school of dance. Now, Miss Tammy is a perfectly nice woman, and a competent dance teacher. However, despite the fact that she was born and raised right here in the US of A, she couldn’t speak English if her life depended on it!! Really, when we get the Welcome Letter this year, I should post it, just so all of us can poke fun at it together. Last year, just before competition, she kept yelling at the class “You’s all need to be more peppier!!” I swear to God, that’s exactly what she said. By the time competition actually rolled around, my ears were actively bleeding from listening to her! > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Harimad-sol_ > She pronounces “mammogram” as “mammygram.” It wouldn’t be so bad, except that you all have no idea how often that word comes up in our conversation. We’re close enough to West Virginia that, even on the PSAs on the radio, what you frequently hear is “mammy-o-gram”. Makes me want to hold a Public Service class on the correct pronunciation! Aaaaaggggghhhhh! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/97 "2004-08-31T19:02:27Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Re: cost and costed. > > “The item cost four pounds” is correct. > > “We have costed the work and found it will cost four million pounds” is also correct. > > Different verbs, not interchangeable. I know I’m nitpicking, but they are not different verbs, just different usages of the same one. _Costed_ is transitive, while _cost_ is intransitive in the past tense. _Hanged_ is somewhat similar, except there the _ed_ form is used only in the sense of execution by hanging. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/98 "2004-09-01T10:17:16Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > Of course, you could always tell him the correct version is Joey Tribbiani’s (from _Friends_) version, “ **_Moo_ Point**.” You know, a cow’s point of view? It just doesn’t matter, so it’s a Moo Point. 😃 I guess a buddhist could legitimately describe it as a “Mu point” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/99 "2004-09-04T07:35:43Z")
It has been a very long time since I’ve posted to the SDMB, but this thread struck such a nerve that I had to join the fray. I am nothing close to being an English major, minor, or even a visitor to the Language Arts building, but for some odd reason bad grammar annoys me - but usually only in formal correspondence and - especially - in signage, advertisements, or other professionally-produced materials. In short, people who _should_ know more than I about the proper use of language I hold to a higher standard. Today’s Atlanta Falcons/Washington Redskins football included a graphic titled “One’s to watch” (referring to players who might make the team). Random and inappropriate use of apostrophes drives me especially crazy, since (IMO) the rules for their use are so dang simple. I’m not a true-blue sports fan, but the radio choices between 1pm and 4pm here are slim. I end up listening to various sports talk shows, and so help me 1/3 of the radio staff and guests use the term “literally” for just about everything, and never correctly. “The Giants literally ate the opposing team up.” “The coach literally chewed him a new asshole.” And so forth. Phew…I feel better. Related to the topic but unrelated to my long-festering rant: I once had a client in South Africa for whom English was a third language (I believe German and Afrikaans where her original languages). She spoke beautiful English (along with a great accent), and I could not believe the first e-mail I received from her - it could have been written by a Second Grader. It was inconceivable that to me that someone’s spoken and written skills were that different. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308/100 "2004-09-04T07:54:43Z")
A few recent let’s-do-something-less-irritating-like-claw-my-eyes-out moments: “your posting … is offensive, confusing, and assinign.” and then there are the — well, fuck, they’re not even homonyms, for Chrissake: CRUMBLED: broken up into crumbs. CRUMPLED: wadded and crinkled. PERPETRATE: commit (a crime). PERPETUATE: cause to continue. ALLEY: small street. ALLY: person on your side. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-grammar-rant-my-eyes-are-bleeding/261308.md?page=6)