Word Choices That Irk Me

[mso489]

I don't want to be the diction and grammar guy, but now and then I like to gripe a little about expressions or word choice that grate on me, and invite you to share a few of your own complaints.

One is the difference between "fewer" and "less." The word fewer should be used with any quantity that can be counted, that exists only in units. There are fewer people, not less. Gas can be pumped in any fractions of gallons, so you can say less gas.

If someone thanks you for something, unless you are a sullen teenager, don't say, "no problem." There was never any problem raised or intended. If "you are welcome" for some reason sounds too subservient, formal, or old fashioned, opt for something upbeat like, pleased to do it, or glad to be here.

What words irk you as misused or ill chosen?

 

[musicman]

Taken for granite vs. taken for granted. This isn't about stonework, people.

"I could care less". No, you COULDN'T care less, unless you mean to say something completely different.

And don't even get me started on how people use the word "literally" these days. I literally want to punch them in the face when they misuse it.

 

[Misanthrope]

Taking things for granite definitely isn’t a gneiss thing to do.

 

[scloyd]

"I could care less". No, you COULDN'T care less, unless you mean to say something completely different.

?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Well, people saying to me "You're a f'ing Ahole" seems like a severe abuse of the English language. But I also accept that it is often an accurate description so "I could care less". I think it is the same people who take my good nature for granite.

 

[rmpeeps]

Very much bigger...
I’ll leave it at that.

 

[logs]

One is the difference between "fewer" and "less." The word fewer should be used with any quantity that can be counted, that exists only in units. There are fewer people, not less. Gas can be pumped in any fractions of gallons, so you can say less gas.

Very Strunk & White. You wouldn't happen to be a writer?

 

[BarrelProof]

If someone thanks you for something, unless you are a sullen teenager, don't say, "no problem." There was never any problem raised or intended. If "you are welcome" for some reason sounds too subservient, formal, or old fashioned, opt for something upbeat like, pleased to do it, or glad to be here.

I don’t have a problem with this. The implication is that there was no problem encountered and that it created no difficulty or obstacle to help me in a way that warranted my thanks.

I think it’s just a different way of acknowledging someone’s display of thanks and articulating the fact that whatever I did to warrant that gratitude created no imposition for me.

But analyze “you’re welcome.” You’re welcome to what? What does it even mean? You’re welcome to have some of my Cinnamon Toast Crunch? You’re welcome to drive my truck? You’re welcome to continue existing?

It’s effectively this interchange:

“Thank you...”
“Oh shit! Ummm, I’d have you as a guest in my home.”

I feel like the phrase, “no problem” is actually a more accurate retort. Spanish uses “de nada.” It means, “it’s nothing.” Same concept.

Thanking someone is my way of showing that I acknowledge and appreciate that he or she has performed an act on my behalf. As such, having someone tell me that it created no problem or imposition, by saying “no problem,” in my opinion, is a more desirable, appropriate, and relevant response than having someone arbitrarily demonstrate his or her willingness to have me in their presence.

The same perspective could be used regarding your suggestion to use “pleased to do it” or “glad to be here.” At no point was my level of pleasure in committing the act called into question, nor was my level of satisfaction with being there, so why should I reference either in my response?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Taking things for granite definitely isn’t a gneiss thing to do.

You rock! I'd slate the above puns to take all the marbles.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Very Strunk & White. You wouldn't happen to be a writer?

Even Safeway changed their signs from "Less than 15 items" to "fewer"....

 

[BarrelProof]

You rock! I'd slate the above puns to take all the marbles.

(Inchert another pun here)

 

[jpmcwjr]

Decimate, which means 1 in 10 killed, not annihilation.
Tragedy. A dog runs away and is hurt and it's a "tragedy".
Hero. Folks killed because they happened to be in the wrong place. Not to be confused with those who put their life on the line to help others.

And consider that the meaning of "I could care less" has a meaning of its own. One such, adding the understood, "but can't be bothered".

Most abused: It's. That's a contraction for "it is". Its is the possessive. Not difficult when sounded out, but few seemed to be arsed to do so.

 

[BarrelProof]

Most abused: It's. That's a contraction for "it is". Its is the possessive. Not difficult.

Ah, yes. Along with whose and who’s.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I don’t have a problem with this. The implication is that there was no problem encountered and that it created no difficulty or obstacle to help me in a way that warranted my thanks.

I think it’s just a different way of acknowledging someone’s display of thanks and articulating the fact that whatever I did to warrant that gratitude created no imposition for me.

But analyze “you’re welcome.” You’re welcome to what? What does it even mean? You’re welcome to have some of my Cinnamon Toast Crunch? You’re welcome to drive my truck? You’re welcome to continue existing?

It’s effectively this interchange:

“Thank you...”
“Oh shit! Ummm, I’d have you as a guest in my home.”

I feel like the phrase, “no problem” is actually a more accurate retort. Spanish uses “de nada.” It means, “it’s nothing.” Same concept.

Thanking someone is my way of showing that I acknowledge and appreciate that he or she has performed an act on my behalf. As such, having someone tell me that it created no problem or imposition, by saying “no problem,” in my opinion, is a more desirable, appropriate, and relevant response than having someone arbitrarily demonstrate his or her willingness to have me in their presence.

The same perspective could be used regarding your suggestion to use “pleased to do it” or “glad to be here.” At no point was my level of pleasure in committing the act called into question, nor was my level of satisfaction with being there, so why should I reference either in my response?

This, right here. I agree completely.

 

[Casual]

Palette.

 

[PipesAndCigarsInFrance]

"I'll do it now, in a minute." A phrase I encounted whilst posted to Wales with the Army. Utterly infuriating! The mixing the singular and plural persons e.g. "We was playing rugby..."

 

[jeff540]

Quite a few; I'm getting older and by default crotchety:

1. All manner of they're "their and there" misuse.
2. Abuse of "that/which," which is one that particularly irks me.
3. The word irregardless (please, it's just regardless).

 

[scloyd]

The word "guys" used when a woman (my wife) is present.

Waitress drops off the check and says "Thank you, have a nice day guys".

Neighbor walks away and says "See you guys later".

Last time I checked, my wife is not a guy.

 

[jhe033]

Mine would be people who say 'it's a mute point'. Just for the record, all points are mute as they can't speak. Points are, in fact, 'moot'.

The number of times someone has done this on a work call is staggering.

 

[coming to_falling too]

The word "guys" used when a woman (my wife) is present.

Waitress drops off the check and says "Thank you, have a nice day guys".

Neighbor walks away and says "See you guys later".

Last time I checked, my wife is not a guy.

I believe you!