To tell you that it's "rein" not "reign".

[FlyingElbows]

Because it is and it's doing my tits in!!

Rein. Rein. Rein. Rein. Rein.

Free rein. It's an equestrian term meaning to give the horse freedom of movement.

It is NOT reign. That's what the Queen does.

It's right up there with "intensive purposes" and "doggy dog world"!!

[StealthPolarBear]

Depend what you're talking about surely :)

[Catsize]

Or 'on route'.

[longdiling]

Que being used instead of cue is currently doing my nut in. It makes me Squirm every time I see it but pointing it out in a thread would make me an arsehole.

[Catsize]

I agree hesterton. Threads like this can get a bit snooty, but might be helpful too.

[allegretto]

Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful "doggy dog world". I shall be introducing it to my vocabulary immediately.

[Ahickiefromkinickie]

longdiling do you mean cue or queue?

[Donthate]

catsize do you mean it should be en route?

[CaoNiMao]

You're right, for all intensive purposes

[longdiling]

I mean cue but people use que!! They don't even use queue which would be slightly more acceptable as it's actually a word. But yes Hesterton does have a point. There are worse things to be than bad at spelling - like a pedantic arsehole.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yanbu

[80sWaistcoat]

What on Earth is doggy dog world?

[GazingAtStars]

Dog eat dog world

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Drawer, not draw. And it's not a chester draws.....

[KeyserSophie]

Intensive Purposes would be a great name for a book or a band.

I can see why peole get the reign/rein thing wrong as it sort of works both ways

[BlackeyedSusan]

not if you are drawering a picture though...

please do not put me on a pedal stool I do not deserve it

[Sparklingbrook]

How often in RL do people use the word "reign" anyway?

[Cantusethatname]

Could you be a bit more pacific please?

[AuntieStella]

MN is a bit screwed up over spellings.

On one hand, definite championing of clear standard English (to assist those who use assistive technology and thise for whom English is nit a first language)

But then pillorying, even when done without criticising individuals in a separate thread, anyone who posts anything about language usage.

It's all a bit ridiculous, because it's only by wilful suspension of disbelief is it ever the case that how you write or say things affects makes a difference to the meaning.

And Pedants' Corner is a nice part of MN, where people discuss the English language (Cunning a Linguists for other languages). Snooty posters not required

[GraceGrape]

I know this is super picky, but it's toe the line, not tow the line. Although I'm not sure where that expression comes from.

[FurryLittleTwerp]

Doggy Dog World - argh, no, I can't bare (sic) it

[thisisafakename]

Lol. I thought it was rain in. As in allow someone's spirits to be dampened by rain (NB I didn't really).
there was a great thread like this last month. It had some real corkers.

[RitaCrudgington]

Meh. She's not aiming it at any particular person on a thread. If you do habitually use "free reign" or "que" or "doggy dog world" and see this thread then surely you'd think either "Bloody hell - is that what it should be? I must try and remember that" or "Don't care, words mean what I choose them to mean" in the manner of Humpty Dumpty. It would be a bit of a leap to react "You bitch! How dare you attack me like that!" And if it were a sin to correct any misconception that anyone has ever held then the "I can't believe I reached 46 without learning that..." threads should be shut down immediately.

FWIW I think you're fighting a losing battle with "free reign" OP because while it's a different metaphor to the original (and a less visually appealing concept IMO) it is an entirely plausible statement of a very similar concept. It's not like "doggy dog world" or "bowl in a china shop".

I saw "secrete shopper" the other day - which surely should be a euphemism for shoplifter.