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To point out that it's "etc" not "ect"

107 replies

SourdoughSally · 19/06/2026 19:20

I see this multiple times a day and it makes me wonder if people pronounce it "ekt" when they speak.

OP posts:
BleedinglyObvious · 20/06/2026 11:33

@arlequin , the issues discussed in the article are separate to this thread and I don't wish to discuss it on here because it would derail the thread.

The 'Yawn' was about 'it’s also a natural language evolution. Like asterisk vs asterix'.

Asterix for asterisk is not language evolution.

arlequin · 20/06/2026 11:17

@BleedinglyObviousso I’m confused which part of my post you’re saying yawn to as dialect was precisely what I was discussing

Scampuss · 20/06/2026 11:17

@SourdoughSally can I just point out that it's "etc." not "etc"...

arlequin · 20/06/2026 11:15

@BleedinglyObviousbut that’s not what the article says - it’s precisely about aks vs ask

BleedinglyObvious · 20/06/2026 11:12

@arlequin , 'Yawn' because it is boring.

much worse than a black American who happens to say aks because that’s their dialect. That is dialect and a separate issue.

we don’t still speak like Shakespeare do we? Or indeed like in the 1920s?
Heard it all before and it wasn't particularly interesting the first time.
Language evolves and is influenced by other languages and cultures.
Yes but it's used as an excuse for sloppy English.

It's never the poster's fault is it? It's a learning or linguistic condition, it's because their first language isn't English, it's the teachers, it's language evolution... but never because the poster can't be bothered to write clearly.

I tend not to comment on spelling and grammar errors because they happen. The OP might be distressed, at the end of her tether, might be dyslexic or whatever. I will if it's a typo and it's a funny one.

It's sad that we see sloppy English so much that 'ect', 'bare with me', 'baring in mind', 'could of', 'loose weight', 'there children', 'councilling' and so on are so common that we are in danger of not realising they're incorrect.
It's not evolution it's dumbing down.

youalright · 20/06/2026 10:38

I think you need to be less judgemental and more mindful that there is a wide range of people on this site who have different levels of education and multiple disabilities and shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable by others repeatedly feeling the need to correct them. Aslong as what the op is writing is understandable thats enough. I missed a significant amount of education due to being a really sick child and I shouldn't be made to feel excluded from this site because of it.

arlequin · 20/06/2026 10:32

BleedinglyObvious · 20/06/2026 10:22

That tired old excuse for language deterioration again. Yawn.

@BleedinglyObvious why be so rude? Saying “yawn” about someone’s post is much worse than a black American who happens to say aks because that’s their dialect.

we don’t still speak like Shakespeare do we? Or indeed like in the 1920s? Language evolves and is influenced by other languages and cultures.

BleedinglyObvious · 20/06/2026 10:22

arlequin · 20/06/2026 08:35

@BleedinglyObvioussometimes aksed is from a dialect.

it’s also a natural language evolution. Like asterisk vs asterix

https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2022/03/11/how-linguistic-prejudice-perpetuates-inequality

Edited

That tired old excuse for language deterioration again. Yawn.

IDrinkTeaAllTheTime · 20/06/2026 09:25

BiteSizedLife · 20/06/2026 08:39

While we are at it.... "myself"

"Myself and DH went to the shops..."

"This question is for the benefit of myself"

Etc

I received an email yesterday from someone asking “does that work for yourself?” What are they teaching in schools these days? 🤦🏻‍♀️

RomainingCalm · 20/06/2026 09:20

I read a work report recently that had four versions - ECT, ECT., ect, and ect. - used all the way through it. At least if you’re going to get it wrong do it consistently!

WutheringTights · 20/06/2026 09:08

beeble347 · 19/06/2026 19:26

YANBU thank you for your service 😂 see also:

tomatoes (if plural), not tomato's
would have, not would of
couldn't care less, not could care less
rein in, not reign in

I would never correct someone's grammar/spelling on here but since we're having a petty rant!

Can I also add please that is FAZED if you are disconcerted and only PHASED is you are performing a task in stages. Drives me crackers.

SourdoughSally · 20/06/2026 09:03

Some very funny comments on here, thank you for your support! I haven't posted in Pedants' Corner because the people who need to see this won't be going there, I'm sure.

OP posts:
MagpiePi · 20/06/2026 08:51

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 20/06/2026 08:47

I think yo need to be more pacific OP.

Your being very pedantic their.

MagpiePi · 20/06/2026 08:50

arlequin · 20/06/2026 08:35

@BleedinglyObvioussometimes aksed is from a dialect.

it’s also a natural language evolution. Like asterisk vs asterix

https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2022/03/11/how-linguistic-prejudice-perpetuates-inequality

Edited

I’ve thought that saying asterix instead of asterisk comes from the cartoon character Asterix.

TheresMillionsOfGeoffreys · 20/06/2026 08:48

It's a losing battle, OP (and not a loosing one)!

familyicons · 20/06/2026 08:47

It is so annoying.
I always correct people on the thread which goes down really well

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 20/06/2026 08:47

I think yo need to be more pacific OP.

KierkegaardsUnderpants · 20/06/2026 08:42

arlequin · 20/06/2026 08:35

@BleedinglyObvioussometimes aksed is from a dialect.

it’s also a natural language evolution. Like asterisk vs asterix

https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2022/03/11/how-linguistic-prejudice-perpetuates-inequality

Edited

Super interesting, thanks.

MajorSamanthaCarter · 20/06/2026 08:42

BiteSizedLife · 20/06/2026 08:39

While we are at it.... "myself"

"Myself and DH went to the shops..."

"This question is for the benefit of myself"

Etc

Myself thinks it's no worse than those shitty fecking gifs.

BiteSizedLife · 20/06/2026 08:39

While we are at it.... "myself"

"Myself and DH went to the shops..."

"This question is for the benefit of myself"

Etc

Angry The Office GIF
arlequin · 20/06/2026 08:37

The article above is super interesting on this

arlequin · 20/06/2026 08:35

@BleedinglyObvioussometimes aksed is from a dialect.

it’s also a natural language evolution. Like asterisk vs asterix

https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2022/03/11/how-linguistic-prejudice-perpetuates-inequality

GrandHighPoohbah · 19/06/2026 19:28

It's almost as annoying as "aksed" instead of "asked". Why, just why? It's not even easier to say!

BleedinglyObvious · 19/06/2026 19:27

Tillow4ever · 19/06/2026 19:25

Then they’re pronouncing it incorrectly.

Is that so? Who'd have thunk it.