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Overuse of "wrong" phrases in novels

Leicester_HunkLeicester_Hunk Posts: 18,316
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in General Discussion #1
(so and so) took (someone) by the elbow - just what? Never done that or said it.

"You're incorrigible" - I've read that loads of times but never ever in my entire life have I heard anyone say it!

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    Billy_ValueBilly_Value Posts: 22,924
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    #2
    Leicester_Hunk wrote: »
    (so and so) took (someone) by the elbow - just what? Never done that or said it.

    "You're incorrigible" - I've read that loads of times but never ever in my entire life have I heard anyone say it!

    i heard it on the sound of music
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    chocoholic100chocoholic100 Posts: 6,411
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    #3
    I read it in a novel.
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    swehsweh Posts: 13,665
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    #4
    What's 'wrong' with those phrases?

    I'd have assumed "dull as dish water" was a wrong phrase.

    Books are meant to be literary, literary works do not need to incorporate everyday language. Dat Shakespeare is popular AF and he ain't down wit 2014 lingo. I WANT novels to continue to be of a high standard and include 'outdated' phrases. I'm a massive advocate for txt sp33k but I don't want it permeating all literature.

    Dare I say it, people are stupid enough without our literature having to be dumbed down as well.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,138
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    #5
    Leicester_Hunk wrote: »

    "You're incorrigible" - I've read that loads of times but never ever in my entire life have I heard anyone say it!

    that's because you've never been incorrigible :cool:
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    NX-74205NX-74205 Posts: 4,691
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    #6
    Leicester_Hunk wrote: »
    (so and so) took (someone) by the elbow - just what? Never done that or said it.

    "You're incorrigible" - I've read that loads of times but never ever in my entire life have I heard anyone say it!

    So just because you don't use them or you haven't heard other people use them they're wrong? Newsflash, you're wrong!
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    lemoncurdlemoncurd Posts: 57,778
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    #7
    "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
    No, Orwell, you idiot! Chiming clocks do NOT "strike thirteen", being as they are, 12-hourly instruments!
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    degsyhufcdegsyhufc Posts: 59,251
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    #8
    Leicester_Hunk wrote: »
    (so and so) took (someone) by the elbow - just what? Never done that or said it.
    Can't say i've ever heard or read that one before.

    Taken by the hand or arm yes, but elbow?
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    swehsweh Posts: 13,665
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    #9
    lemoncurd wrote: »
    "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
    No, Orwell, you idiot! Chiming clocks do NOT "strike thirteen", being as they are, 12-hourly instruments!

    Maybe the 24 hour clock struck 13?

    Maybe he meant 13 as an unlucky number indicating that spring, which is supposed to be a season of rejuvenation, has now past this stage into a realm of despair?

    Maybe it was his form of venting against the totalitarianism prevalent in society at that time by refusing to adhere to your 12-hourly instrument?!

    One simply does not slate 1984, it's just not done! :p
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    lemoncurdlemoncurd Posts: 57,778
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    #10
    sweh wrote: »
    Maybe the 24 hour clock struck 13?

    Maybe he meant 13 as an unlucky number indicating that spring, which is supposed to be a season of rejuvenation, has now past this stage into a realm of despair?

    Maybe it was his form of venting against the totalitarianism prevalent in society at that time by refusing to adhere to your 12-hourly instrument?!

    One simply does not slate 1984, it's just not done! :p

    I'm sorry, it's just doublespeak! :mad:
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    TakaeTakae Posts: 13,555
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    #11
    Leicester_Hunk wrote: »
    "You're incorrigible" - I've read that loads of times but never ever in my entire life have I heard anyone say it!

    I have had someone saying that to me after I told a dirty joke. He said it with a smile. I still don't know whether to take it a compliment or not.
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    KennedyCKennedyC Posts: 1,289
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    #12
    If we stop using (reading and speaking) all of these words then we will start to lose the value in our incredibly vast and rich English language. Many of our words, such as incorrigible, have multiple meanings or shaded meanings which provide subtle nuances. Incorrigible has a meaning like "old rogue" ie naughty but nice. Our newspapers and on-line news seem to be using an ever smaller subset of dumbed down English. Eventually these words will only be one or two syllables long and the standard of reading will consequently decline.
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    Leicester_HunkLeicester_Hunk Posts: 18,316
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    #13
    KennedyC wrote: »
    If we stop using (reading and speaking) all of these words then we will start to lose the value in our incredibly vast and rich English language. Many of our words, such as incorrigible, have multiple meanings or shaded meanings which provide subtle nuances. Incorrigible has a meaning like "old rogue" ie naughty but nice. Our newspapers and on-line news seem to be using an ever smaller subset of dumbed down English. Eventually these words will only be one or two syllables long and the standard of reading will consequently decline.

    I agree with you. I don't think I made my original point very well. I meant that in the course of normal speech people wouldn't say that. It reminds me of the Leslie Phillips/Nigel Havers/Peter Bowles or similar characters in old telly shows!! :D
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    KennedyCKennedyC Posts: 1,289
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    #14
    I think we should all start using longer, less used words so that we can build up a language that the younger generation don't understand. See how they like it.
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