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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gardenergirl on August 27, 2004, at 18:34:41
In reply to Anyone count ums?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 27, 2004, at 13:41:52
My supervisor would routinely say, "and things like that", "basically", and "coming down the pike". I used to try my darnedest to come up with one sentence all the time that contained all of these...
gg
Posted by sb417 on August 28, 2004, at 0:49:50
In reply to Re: Plurals » sb417, posted by Larry Hoover on August 27, 2004, at 7:40:02
Posted by ron1953 on August 29, 2004, at 11:46:04
In reply to Apostrophe Abuse, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 25, 2004, at 12:54:46
I, too appreciate good grammer, spelling, sentence structure, etc.. And I do notice the deficiencies so many have using the language. I see it everywhere. Even the so-called professionals, writing in newspapers and magazines often have a poor command of the language. The President of th United States can't even pronounce the word "nuclear" correctly!
BUT.....am I bugged by it? No. English is the most complicated language in the world. It's not reasonable to expect mastery from everybody. The purpose of language is to COMMUNICATE. Are you more interested in what a poster has to say or how they say it?
If this bothers you and the others that agree as much as it seems to, I'd hate to see your reaction to a real problem.
Posted by partlycloudy on August 29, 2004, at 12:50:37
In reply to Re: Apostrophe Abuse, posted by ron1953 on August 29, 2004, at 11:46:04
The astounding evolution of the English language commands comment - and that it all we are doing here.
Please mind your manners.
Posted by JenStar on August 29, 2004, at 14:09:33
In reply to Re: Apostrophe Abuse, posted by ron1953 on August 29, 2004, at 11:46:04
hi Ron, welcome to the board! I haven't seen you post here; are you new?
I believe you have misinterpreted the spirit of our posts. I'll speak for all of us now(hahaha...let me know if I shouldn't do that, folks....)
Most of us were very careful to say that we don't mind bad grammar & language in social or babble situations; it bothers us when we expect it (doctor, pro, published stuff) or when it's just horrendously wrong -- so wrong as to be funny.
We spend time here on babble b/c it's a great and helpful place; if you spend more time here yourself you'll see that no one ever critiques grammar/spelling/etc in a post- we look for the meaning behind the words and respond to that.
For me, it's one of those things that is FUN to gripe about just because it ISN'T a huge problem. I think it's also cool to find solidarity in a shared gripe here on babble!
Ron, I have to tell you that it hurts my feelings when I see that someone has made a blanket statement or assumption about me without asking any clarifying questions. I felt hurt when I read the statement
"I'd hate to see your reaction to a real problem."
I don't know if you were trying to be funny, or being sarcastic, or what...but I did feel hurt.
In the future, can I ask you to please refrain from making comments like that straight off; instead, ask me a question if you want to know something? thanks!
thanks,
JenStarPS - Of course, I have to point out: If I were a grammarian by trade, I would tell you that bad grammar IS a real problem! I think they believe that bad grammar will be the downfall of the nation... :)
Posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 14:15:41
In reply to Re: How funny and a question » AuntieMel, posted by JenStar on August 26, 2004, at 11:02:16
I know that language is a living thing, but certain things just grate on my nerves.
A friend's answering machine says "Neither Bob nor myself can come to the phone." Grrrrrr.
Incorrect grammar in rock songs. The Doors sing "...the stars fall from the sky for you and I." Or something like that. Grrrrrr.
The datum/data thing. And, just for kicks, you can tell someone that the main goal of a bacterium is to become bacteria.
Misuse of the apostrophe.
"Nucular". Makes me want to go supercritical.
Rate of speed. Speed already is a rate.
I'm not great with commas, though. And don't pay attention, so I can be awfully sloppy at times.
Posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 14:42:45
In reply to Pet language peeves, posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 14:15:41
> I know that language is a living thing, but certain things just grate on my nerves.
>
> A friend's answering machine says "Neither Bob nor myself can come to the phone." Grrrrrr.
>
> Incorrect grammar in rock songs. The Doors sing "...the stars fall from the sky for you and I." Or something like that. Grrrrrr.
>
> The datum/data thing. And, just for kicks, you can tell someone that the main goal of a bacterium is to become bacteria.
>
> Misuse of the apostrophe.
>
> "Nucular". Makes me want to go supercritical.
>
> Rate of speed. Speed already is a rate.
>
> I'm not great with commas, though. And don't pay attention, so I can be awfully sloppy at times.
>
>My pet peeve is people not putting the "ly" on adverbs. In fact I rarely ever hear people use the "ly" anymore. I fear it might fade away altogether.
Posted by Catgirl on August 29, 2004, at 15:52:39
In reply to Pet language peeves, posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 14:15:41
My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
Posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 17:17:02
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves » Emme, posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 14:42:45
> > I know that language is a living thing, but certain things just grate on my nerves.
> >
> > A friend's answering machine says "Neither Bob nor myself can come to the phone." Grrrrrr.
> >
> > Incorrect grammar in rock songs. The Doors sing "...the stars fall from the sky for you and I." Or something like that. Grrrrrr.
> >
> > The datum/data thing. And, just for kicks, you can tell someone that the main goal of a bacterium is to become bacteria.
> >
> > Misuse of the apostrophe.
> >
> > "Nucular". Makes me want to go supercritical.
> >
> > Rate of speed. Speed already is a rate.
> >
> > I'm not great with commas, though. And don't pay attention, so I can be awfully sloppy at times.
> >
> >
>
> My pet peeve is people not putting the "ly" on adverbs. In fact I rarely ever hear people use the "ly" anymore. I fear it might fade away altogether.
>Oooh, good one. And how about "should have went"? I just love to complain about things that I have answers to. :) Unlike the rest of my life.
Posted by JenStar on August 29, 2004, at 18:42:32
In reply to Anyone count ums?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 27, 2004, at 13:41:52
that is, um, like, hilarious!
At my old company, the word "so" became the most-used word of all. A manager started it, and soon EVERYONE was "so-ing" all over the place. "SO" would precede every sentence -- literally. It got to where one of the new-hires printed up a bingo sheet with "So" on it and filled it out for one of the managers. It was really funny when we reviewed it later on...
I always found it fascinating how a really dorky phrase would come in to the workplace, pick up steam, and suddenly become de rigueur -- you weren't anybody if you weren't saying IT.
One example was bandwidth: "Hey, JenStar, do you have the BANDWIDTH to complete that project?"
Kind of like ValleyGirl talk -- pretty soon, everyone is saying it! I think language is fascinating that way -- how phrases originate, spread and die. Of course, fascination doesn't keep me from wincing every time I hear one of my "favorite" little gems! And of course I'm sure I said many things that made my OWN employees wince. Fair game, right?Jen (fellow um-disliker) Star
Posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 20:24:54
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves, posted by Catgirl on August 29, 2004, at 15:52:39
> My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
Yes, but the correct spelling and the often used incorrect one, both have a "rat" in the middle.
Posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 20:28:57
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves » KaraS, posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 17:17:02
> > > I know that language is a living thing, but certain things just grate on my nerves.
> > >
> > > A friend's answering machine says "Neither Bob nor myself can come to the phone." Grrrrrr.
> > >
> > > Incorrect grammar in rock songs. The Doors sing "...the stars fall from the sky for you and I." Or something like that. Grrrrrr.
> > >
> > > The datum/data thing. And, just for kicks, you can tell someone that the main goal of a bacterium is to become bacteria.
> > >
> > > Misuse of the apostrophe.
> > >
> > > "Nucular". Makes me want to go supercritical.
> > >
> > > Rate of speed. Speed already is a rate.
> > >
> > > I'm not great with commas, though. And don't pay attention, so I can be awfully sloppy at times.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > My pet peeve is people not putting the "ly" on adverbs. In fact I rarely ever hear people use the "ly" anymore. I fear it might fade away altogether.
> >
>
> Oooh, good one. And how about "should have went"? I just love to complain about things that I have answers to. :) Unlike the rest of my life.
>
>"Should have went" sends chills down my spine!!
(Also, I agree re: complaining about things that have clear-cut answers. It's a lot easier to do that than it is to deal with the bigger issues we're all struggling with here.)
Posted by sexylexy on August 29, 2004, at 20:35:26
In reply to Pet language peeves, posted by Emme on August 29, 2004, at 14:15:41
When someone says "Where's it at?" It makes me want to vomit
lexy
Posted by Larry Hoover on August 29, 2004, at 20:36:58
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves » Catgirl, posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 20:24:54
> > My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
>
>
> Yes, but the correct spelling and the often used incorrect one, both have a "rat" in the middle.Yes, but only one has "a rat" in the middle. Ambiguous primary reference, methinks.
Lar
Posted by Catgirl on August 29, 2004, at 20:43:40
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves » Catgirl, posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 20:24:54
> > My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
>
>
> Yes, but the correct spelling and the often used incorrect one, both have a "rat" in the middle.She meant "a rat" in the middle. Maybe that tip is only helpful to me!
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 29, 2004, at 21:29:26
In reply to Re: Anyone count ums? » Miss Honeychurch, posted by JenStar on August 29, 2004, at 18:42:32
O I so hate so! People use it these days as some sort of ambiguous sentence ender like
"I came to work late this morning, so..." as if the so is implied. I notice this all the time. Glad I'm not the only one.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 29, 2004, at 21:49:59
In reply to Re: Anyone count ums? » JenStar, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 29, 2004, at 21:29:26
Thanks, guys. After I had drafted up a really nice sarcastic, passive aggressive response, I decided to delete it and try to be mature. You guys defended the spirit in which this thread was intended very well!
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 29, 2004, at 22:03:50
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves, posted by sexylexy on August 29, 2004, at 20:35:26
Posted by LostGirl on August 29, 2004, at 22:18:29
In reply to Apostrophe Abuse, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 25, 2004, at 12:54:46
There is a book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" which is exactly about this.
Posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 22:20:25
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves, posted by Larry Hoover on August 29, 2004, at 20:36:58
> > > My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
> >
> >
> > Yes, but the correct spelling and the often used incorrect one, both have a "rat" in the middle.
>
> Yes, but only one has "a rat" in the middle. Ambiguous primary reference, methinks.
>
> Lar
>OK, now I get it!
Posted by KaraS on August 29, 2004, at 22:21:19
In reply to Re: Pet language peeves, posted by Catgirl on August 29, 2004, at 20:43:40
> > > My language pet peeve is people who spell separate seperate. One of my teachers told me to remember that "there's a rat in the middle."
> >
> >
> > Yes, but the correct spelling and the often used incorrect one, both have a "rat" in the middle.
>
> She meant "a rat" in the middle. Maybe that tip is only helpful to me!No, that will be very helpful to me too! Thanks.
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 30, 2004, at 1:54:16
In reply to Re: Apostrophe Abuse, posted by LostGirl on August 29, 2004, at 22:18:29
> There is a book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" which is exactly about this.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 30, 2004, at 1:56:40
In reply to Re: Apostrophe Abuse, posted by ron1953 on August 29, 2004, at 11:46:04
> If this bothers you and the others that agree as much as it seems to, I'd hate to see your reaction to a real problem.
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel put down.
If you or anyone else has questions about this or about posting policies in general, or is interested in alternative ways of expressing oneself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Also, follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by ron1953 on August 30, 2004, at 17:54:14
In reply to Re: Apostrophe Abuse » ron1953, posted by partlycloudy on August 29, 2004, at 12:50:37
Why the chiding?
Posted by ron1953 on August 30, 2004, at 18:03:48
In reply to Re: please be civil » ron1953, posted by Dr. Bob on August 30, 2004, at 1:56:40
Bob:
It's interesting that my "offense" was about the use of the language. If I had said, "I'm concerned that a seemingly small-time thing like grammer bothers you so much.", would that have made a difference? It is actually what I meant (I think, depending again on interpretation.)
Ron
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