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AIBU?

It's a 'Strategy' it is not 'Strategies'

55 replies

IamRechargingthankYou · 17/02/2014 19:04

After years of hearing this incredible misuse of the English language I now stand firm. We as parents do not use 'strategies' in the home to deal with dc (or anything else in fact). What we use are a series of actions (coherent or correct may be up for question, or not) within in the/a overarching strategy that we operate (coherent, correct or not, etc.). What we do not use, and neither do you, irrespective of your role as a professional or innocent bystander that you are or might or might not be is - flipping strategies! It's called 'A STRATEGY' if you have to give it a name!'

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Bowlersarm · 17/02/2014 19:06

Are you sure you are correct?

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WorraLiberty · 17/02/2014 19:08

Well aren't you a bundle of laughs OP? Grin

That's us well and truly told...

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SlightlyTerrified · 17/02/2014 19:09

strategies is the plural for strategy, I have no idea what you are talking about?!

I have double checked in the dictionary!

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IamRechargingthankYou · 17/02/2014 19:09

Yes - but the term is so embedded that it trips off the tongue without thinking. Look it up.

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TheGreatHunt · 17/02/2014 19:10

Pedant's corner is ---> that way

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Greythorne · 17/02/2014 19:12

What if the first strategy fails so you move to a plan B (completely different) strategy. Surely you have used two strategies?

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Bowlersarm · 17/02/2014 19:16

If strategies is a word we can look up in the dictionary and prove it exists - what exactly are you going on about?

Why can't I use strategies to deal with my DC in my home?

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MaidOfStars · 17/02/2014 19:16

If you have a strategy for dealing with sweetie grabs and a strategy for dealing with bedtime tantrums, do you not then have 'strategies'?

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IamRechargingthankYou · 17/02/2014 19:16

Yes - but what is a strategy but a series of actions?

Not bothered if you don't find it a 'bundle of laughs', I wouldn't have posted in the flamebox otherwise now would I? Pretty sure that comes under strategy not strategies don't you?

Also posted here because it's something that actually really pisses me off, and that's it really.

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GiniCooper · 17/02/2014 19:16

Do mean strategise because you're not making sense.

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cardibach · 17/02/2014 19:17

Strategies is a perfectly legitimate word. To what usage of it do you object, OP? Give an example.

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MrsSippy · 17/02/2014 19:19

many tactics form a strategy, but you may use a range of strategies to achieve an objective

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Bowlersarm · 17/02/2014 19:19

You just seem to be plain wrong, OP. Go on, admit it.

I am certain I can have strategies in place to deal with my DC in my home.

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anothernumberone · 17/02/2014 19:22

OP a series of actions implies to me a series of linked action do if you decide to change direction then you are changing strategies. So many parents actually do adopt a variety of strategies with their children. It is a little sad that this has bothered you for so long and posting it years ago would have cleared up your misunderstanding. Next time change strategy and ask sooner Wink.

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anothernumberone · 17/02/2014 19:23

Do = so, grrr phone.

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IamRechargingthankYou · 17/02/2014 19:24

As far as sweetie- thingies for this and that - they are all part of the actions that you take within a strategy.

Maybe best go back to the roots of the word - haven't heard yet of chessmasters and generals winning (or losing) with anything other than a strategy.

But the new usage comes from academics and the public sector who unwittingly ally themselves with the 'frontline' and try and adopt similar 'martial' terms.

It's still a strategy and not 'strategies' and until someone can really explain it better why it should be otherwise, I'm sticking to it.

That's my 'strategy'.

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TSSDNCOP · 17/02/2014 19:26

Don't you have a strategy and a series of tactics to acheive it.

Grin

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Bowlersarm · 17/02/2014 19:27

Now you're just making yourself look silly.

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Balaboosta · 17/02/2014 19:29

Oooh please OP can't I have more than one strategy? Pleeeeeeze?

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Balaboosta · 17/02/2014 19:29

One for each child at least?

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WorraLiberty · 17/02/2014 19:31

Not bothered if you don't find it a 'bundle of laughs', I wouldn't have posted in the flamebox otherwise now would I? Pretty sure that comes under strategy not strategies don't you?

Is 'flamebox' a real word?

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Balaboosta · 17/02/2014 19:31

One to wash and one to wear?

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ThreeBeeOneGee · 17/02/2014 19:33

I agree with Greythorne.

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Koothrapanties · 17/02/2014 19:38

What if you have two different strategies?

You couldn't say "I have two different a strategy."

That makes no sense whatsoever.

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IamRechargingthankYou · 17/02/2014 19:42

Actually I hadn't heard of 'flamebox' before and if it truly is a new word then I'm chuffed as well as pleased to be silly enough to create it.

As for waiting all this time to mention the misuse of 'strategies' - I tried - once I first got over the shock that 'strategy' was the new buzzword for childrearing. I guess the new word 'strategies' is completely embedded now.

So that makes me U.

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