Freethought & Rationalism Archive

08-17-2003, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFrosty
Dont' forget that American BS of "I could care less" when it should be "I couldn't care less" to express complete indifference.

To date, I have never ever seen a British person screw this up...

Somebody please come up with a rational explanation why Americans should mangle this phrase.

In some American accents, there is a great deal of slurring. Try slurring "couldn't" and it might just morph into "could". OTOH, perhaps they're just syllablicaly challenged.

Chicken Girl · 08-17-2003, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DMB
In some American accents, there is a great deal of slurring. Try slurring "couldn't" and it might just morph into "could". OTOH, perhaps they're just syllablicaly challenged.

Hmmm. Yeah, I could see that happening. That's not an excuse, though.

Viti · 08-17-2003, 02:54 AM

Seems to me that unless someone knows the origin of the phrase they wouldn't know the proper spelling. Really "hear, hear" doesn't make any kind of contextual sense and is certainly not intuitive. It's not like someone would say "Oh, I am expressing approval so hear is of course correct...here is just silliness".

ashe · 08-17-2003, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LadyShea
Seems to me that unless someone knows the origin of the phrase they wouldn't know the proper spelling. Really "hear, hear" doesn't make any kind of contextual sense and is certainly not intuitive. It's not like someone would say "Oh, I am expressing approval so hear is of course correct...here is just silliness".

Exactly. Before a person uses a phrase, they should know why they are using it.

The way to do this is to ask oneself regularly, "Do I really know what this means?" If the answer is no, then look it up.

The Other Michael · 08-17-2003, 01:27 PM

Also, people should "toe the line" and not "tow the line", unless maybe they are singing the Volga Boatman song.

cheers,
Michael

Mediancat · 08-17-2003, 01:40 PM

My personal current annoyance is whe people talk about how they, or someone else, needs to get "untracked."

And since they're not talking about wanting the person to get lost, I can only assume they mean "on track."

Untracked makes no sense!

Rob aka Mediancat

RED DAVE · 08-17-2003, 05:48 PM

"NUCULAR," always "NUCULAR." I think this one started with Eisenhower.

RED DAVE

AquaVita · 08-17-2003, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ashe
For your edification, "Hear, hear" is the original and still correct form. "Here, here" seems to have appeared because here and hear are homophones.

Hey, I'm not a homophone!

Godless Dave · 08-18-2003, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LadyShea
Seems to me that unless someone knows the origin of the phrase they wouldn't know the proper spelling. Really "hear, hear" doesn't make any kind of contextual sense and is certainly not intuitive. It's not like someone would say "Oh, I am expressing approval so hear is of course correct...here is just silliness".

I disagree. It seems clear to me that "Hear, hear!" means "Hear what that person is saying!"

Quote:

Originally posted by The Other Michael
Also, people should "toe the line" and not "tow the line", unless maybe they are singing the Volga Boatman song.

Hear, hear! That drives me fucking insane.

DarkBronzePlant · 08-18-2003, 10:47 AM

ashe,

Thanks for this post. Mainly I say that because I've never known myself whether here or hear was the word being used. Neither one seemed to make any more sense than the other, and I'd never come across an explanation before.

I am now edjumacated on the subject!

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08-17-2003, 02:54 AM	#13
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	Seems to me that unless someone knows the origin of the phrase they wouldn't know the proper spelling. Really "hear, hear" doesn't make any kind of contextual sense and is certainly not intuitive. It's not like someone would say "Oh, I am expressing approval so hear is of course correct...here is just silliness".

08-17-2003, 01:27 PM	#15
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	Also, people should "toe the line" and not "tow the line", unless maybe they are singing the Volga Boatman song. cheers, Michael

08-17-2003, 01:40 PM	#16
Mediancat Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Baltimore County, MD Posts: 19,644	My personal current annoyance is whe people talk about how they, or someone else, needs to get "untracked." And since they're not talking about wanting the person to get lost, I can only assume they mean "on track." Untracked makes no sense! Rob aka Mediancat

08-17-2003, 05:48 PM	#17
RED DAVE Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 10,532	"NUCULAR," always "NUCULAR." I think this one started with Eisenhower. RED DAVE

08-18-2003, 10:47 AM	#20
DarkBronzePlant Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 3,568	ashe, Thanks for this post. Mainly I say that because I've never known myself whether here or hear was the word being used. Neither one seemed to make any more sense than the other, and I'd never come across an explanation before. I am now edjumacated on the subject!

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