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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to say it's not "ect"

579 replies

IceCreamWoes · 23/08/2024 21:21

I've seen about 8 threads in the last 2 days with posters writing ect when they obviously mean etc. I probably am being U but it really does irrationally fucking irritate me!

I need to get out more, yes. I've had two (big) glasses of wine 😂.

So, am I?

OP posts:
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ErrolTheDragon · 30/08/2024 17:13

FuzzyPuffling · 30/08/2024 15:19

I do the "E for envelope" thing too. How long will it be before people ask " What's an envelope?"?

It's that rectangle with a triangle icon on your email app, obviously.

lcakethereforeIam · 30/08/2024 17:12

Wrt garganey, well there aren't an(e)y 😀

Well there are, but not as man(e)y.

ErrolTheDragon · 30/08/2024 17:11

Though having just looked up the distribution maps on the rspb website, gadwalls aren't all over the place across the U.K. though they are in my neck of the woods. And resident all the year round unlike the garganeys so it's two tips for the price of one.Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 30/08/2024 17:04

lcakethereforeIam · 30/08/2024 16:55

I used to get the names of gadwall and garganey mixed up. I finally came up with, in the UK at least, gadwall are all over the place. If anyone else is having the same problem, you're welcome 😊

Thanks - yes, I do get those mixed up, though often it involves completely forgetting one or other of the names and having to look it up.

lcakethereforeIam · 30/08/2024 16:55

I used to get the names of gadwall and garganey mixed up. I finally came up with, in the UK at least, gadwall are all over the place. If anyone else is having the same problem, you're welcome 😊

FuzzyPuffling · 30/08/2024 15:19

I do the "E for envelope" thing too. How long will it be before people ask " What's an envelope?"?

DumbassHamsterSitterPerson · 29/08/2024 20:31

NowImNotDoingIt · 29/08/2024 20:21

Just realised my trick is pointless and makes no sense as both words have "station" in it , the difference comes right after. Somehow it works/makes sense to me.🙈

I have to admit I was looking at your "tip" and wondering how on earth it helped!

I mentioned the "stationery has an E for envelope" in the other day. My mum had never heard that trick and thought it was amazingly clever. My DC (who are young adults) apparently didn't realise there were 2 spellings Hmm

NowImNotDoingIt · 29/08/2024 20:21

Just realised my trick is pointless and makes no sense as both words have "station" in it , the difference comes right after. Somehow it works/makes sense to me.🙈

Abitofalark · 29/08/2024 19:44

DappledThings · 29/08/2024 10:06

I always have to check that one, can never remember which one is which. Same for stationary and stationery. But at least I know they are different and don't use them without checking.

Show quote history

Pen for stationery and Car for stationary is an easy way to remember them.

SerendipityJane · 29/08/2024 18:31

DappledThings · 29/08/2024 10:06

I always have to check that one, can never remember which one is which. Same for stationary and stationery. But at least I know they are different and don't use them without checking.

Show quote history

Fun fact: stationery is so named because it was originally bough in stations ...

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/10/in-a-word-whats-so-stationary-about-stationery/

In a Word: What’s So Stationary about Stationery? | The Saturday Evening Post

The connected history of two commonly confused words.

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/10/in-a-word-whats-so-stationary-about-stationery

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 13:41

ErrolTheDragon · 29/08/2024 11:47

Unfortunately that's one of the pairs where trying to model correct usage of each is quite difficult. I don't think there's very often a need to use 'discrete' in everyday language.

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No, but explaining that ‘discrete’ means separate, distinct, ought to do it. But it’s rarely heard in everyday speech.

DappledThings · 29/08/2024 13:23

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 11:31

Brilliant - I never heard that one!

Stationary and stationery - I remember being told to remember a stationARy cAR, and that papER is stationERy.

Show quote history

That is a good one on discrete.

My trouble with stationary and stationery is that I tried to remember it by e meaning email which is office related, as is stationery and a is like @ which means someone is at a place, so they are stationary there. But then I started to think of @ also being computer/office related and it made my overcomplicated aide memoire meaningless.

PapER for stationERy is much simpler!

ErrolTheDragon · 29/08/2024 12:54

In my world it's discrete energy levels etc (the Es are indeed separate) and sometimes the mathematical usage.

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 12:38

ErrolTheDragon · 29/08/2024 11:47

Unfortunately that's one of the pairs where trying to model correct usage of each is quite difficult. I don't think there's very often a need to use 'discrete' in everyday language.

Show quote history

As a lawyer I would often talk about a discrete issue or a discrete point raised in argument. DH and I would use it in conversation with each other about mundane household stuff but I suppose we are quite pretentious!

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 12:36

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 11:31

Brilliant - I never heard that one!

Stationary and stationery - I remember being told to remember a stationARy cAR, and that papER is stationERy.

Show quote history

It’s my own personal aide memoire, have never told anyone else before!

NowImNotDoingIt · 29/08/2024 12:30

Discrete data , normally used in maths, science,statistics etc.Often used in this specific context. I remember because it's not the one I usually need.Grin

Discreet is the one most commonly used in every day language , with the meaning of hidden,secretive,unobtrusive, inconspicuous etc.

ValsCupcakes · 29/08/2024 12:05

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 09:57

I’ve yet again just seen ‘discrete’ when they meant ‘discreet’.
I’m never going to do it, but I do wish someone would tell the OP that the meanings are entirely different!

It annoys me along with those posters who are defiantly going to do X or Y.

ErrolTheDragon · 29/08/2024 11:47

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 09:57

I’ve yet again just seen ‘discrete’ when they meant ‘discreet’.
I’m never going to do it, but I do wish someone would tell the OP that the meanings are entirely different!

Unfortunately that's one of the pairs where trying to model correct usage of each is quite difficult. I don't think there's very often a need to use 'discrete' in everyday language.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 11:31

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 10:12

@DappledThings one way remember it is that in “discrete” the “e”s are separated from one another.

Brilliant - I never heard that one!

Stationary and stationery - I remember being told to remember a stationARy cAR, and that papER is stationERy.

focacciamuffin · 29/08/2024 10:30

Stationary as in car. Stationery as in paper.

NowImNotDoingIt · 29/08/2024 10:17

@DappledThings I remember stationary because it has station (stop) in it. Then the other one is with an e.Grin

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 10:13

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 10:12

@DappledThings one way remember it is that in “discrete” the “e”s are separated from one another.

And I always remember stationery is e for envelope.

HotCrossBunplease · 29/08/2024 10:12

@DappledThings one way remember it is that in “discrete” the “e”s are separated from one another.

DappledThings · 29/08/2024 10:06

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 09:57

I’ve yet again just seen ‘discrete’ when they meant ‘discreet’.
I’m never going to do it, but I do wish someone would tell the OP that the meanings are entirely different!

I always have to check that one, can never remember which one is which. Same for stationary and stationery. But at least I know they are different and don't use them without checking.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/08/2024 09:57

I’ve yet again just seen ‘discrete’ when they meant ‘discreet’.
I’m never going to do it, but I do wish someone would tell the OP that the meanings are entirely different!