Discrete and discreet are two words that people can't be arsed learning what they mean so just pick them randomly. Bit like complimentary and complementary.
This reminded me of a time when someone called me and asked me to translate something for them that they'd seen in France.
I said to put it in an email and I'd do it when I had time.
He said that it was only 3 words, so I said, O.K., what's the first one.
He said sauf, I said that means except, he said ACCept?
I said no, except, as in, we all went, except blank, next word?
He said poids, he had to spell it, I said weight, he said, as in on the corner?
I said no, as in grams or kilos, last word?
He said lords, but when pressed, spelt it as lourds, I said heavy, and as I said it the penny dropped.
I said, did you see this on a road sign?
Yes, why?
I said poid-lourds is a hyphenated word that means a truck, or lorry in France, literally a heavy weight.
The three words on a road sign mean, except trucks, now go away and plague someone else.
I read a review of a pram in which the reviewer stated that the pram was 'difficult to claps'. She repeatedly used this word and I had visions of her trying to applaud the pram rather than collapse it.
I read a review of a pram in which the reviewer stated that the pram was 'difficult to claps'. She repeatedly used this word and I had visions of her trying to applaud the pram rather than collapse it.
This reminds of a current colleague of mine who repeadtedly (both in writing & speech) uses the word 'been' to mean 'being' as in "we have a shipment been delivered tomorrow"....annoys the hell out of me.
I'd suggest that most of the misuse of words is due to the fact that few people read enough printed books.
The publishing industry apply high standards to their works and employ educated editors and proof-readers who filter out the mistakes.
A majority of written works is now guff published on the internet and if people don't know the right word to use they just use one that sounds about right. This includes stuff published by professional journalists.
Other people read this nonsense and copy it.
We are replacing learning written English from those who know to learning it from those who don't.
I would certainly agree, children especially, read far less these days and it can have a profound effect on their vocabulary and ability to express themselves meaningfully.
My Nephew actually despises me due to the fact I often buy him books when all he really wants is the latest Xbox game.
Youth as they say, is wasted on the young.
It's a preferred term that's been in use forever where I live.
I'd never come across it until recently. Anyhow, the standard of written and spoken English is actually dire, except among people who learn it as a second language, it seems to me. It's now got to the stage where people like lawyers being interviewed on TV can't speak correct English grammar. Spell checkers aren't much help either as if I personally can't spell a word it often alters it to something totally wrong. If you don't read everything two or three times it is easy to miss this. Sometimes it's funny though----
I'd never come across it until recently. Anyhow, the standard of written and spoken English is actually dire, except among people who learn it as a second language, it seems to me. It's now got to the stage where people like lawyers being interviewed on TV can't speak correct English grammar. Spell checkers aren't much help either as if I personally can't spell a word it often alters it to something totally wrong. If you don't read everything two or three times it is easy to miss this. Sometimes it's funny though----
It's probably just regional slang but the good thing about the internet and sites like this is we all get to see and share new terms.
Comments
Haha but no. I wear a boot...or two....when I'm out and about. :)
its definition is number oriented so it makes sense to say numeral not muneral in the word!
Are you stupid?
Don't forget chimbley and skellington
This reminded me of a time when someone called me and asked me to translate something for them that they'd seen in France.
I said to put it in an email and I'd do it when I had time.
He said that it was only 3 words, so I said, O.K., what's the first one.
He said sauf, I said that means except, he said ACCept?
I said no, except, as in, we all went, except blank, next word?
He said poids, he had to spell it, I said weight, he said, as in on the corner?
I said no, as in grams or kilos, last word?
He said lords, but when pressed, spelt it as lourds, I said heavy, and as I said it the penny dropped.
I said, did you see this on a road sign?
Yes, why?
I said poid-lourds is a hyphenated word that means a truck, or lorry in France, literally a heavy weight.
The three words on a road sign mean, except trucks, now go away and plague someone else.
lickle for little
bockle for bottle
neckle for nettle
hospickle for hospital
and so on
Can't blame it on spell check as I've seen far too often.
And as someone mentioned, loose instead of lose.
"Your a ****" - That may well be, but you're an illiterate cretin.
"There/their a bunch of *****" - I am sure they are, but they're possibly better educated.
It's a preferred term that's been in use forever where I live.
Plice is the term used now for police
I parked my car parallel to the curb.
The publishing industry apply high standards to their works and employ educated editors and proof-readers who filter out the mistakes.
A majority of written works is now guff published on the internet and if people don't know the right word to use they just use one that sounds about right. This includes stuff published by professional journalists.
Other people read this nonsense and copy it.
We are replacing learning written English from those who know to learning it from those who don't.
My Nephew actually despises me due to the fact I often buy him books when all he really wants is the latest Xbox game.
Youth as they say, is wasted on the young.
I'd never come across it until recently. Anyhow, the standard of written and spoken English is actually dire, except among people who learn it as a second language, it seems to me. It's now got to the stage where people like lawyers being interviewed on TV can't speak correct English grammar. Spell checkers aren't much help either as if I personally can't spell a word it often alters it to something totally wrong. If you don't read everything two or three times it is easy to miss this. Sometimes it's funny though----
It's probably just regional slang but the good thing about the internet and sites like this is we all get to see and share new terms.
It's - I would have not I would of
I love the (non) word skellington!