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My name is CurlewKate and I am a recovering pedant….

220 replies

CurlewKate · 31/07/2026 05:39

After 30 years as an active pedant, I am now trying VERY hard always to look at what people obviously mean, and not the way they express it. Not everyone has been taught about apostrophes.

But for the love of GOD- please stop saying “stag doo” “birthday doo”. Any other “doo”! Where did that come from?

OP posts:
NotSorry · 31/07/2026 07:21

Likeiloveyou · 31/07/2026 06:50

The other day I saw “Bach” on here repeatedly and it took me ages to work out they were referring to a hen “doo”.

I have to curb my inner/outer pedant or I would get banned. 😞

I’m scratching my head wondering how “Bach” can mean hen “doo” - please help 😬

keepswimming38 · 31/07/2026 07:21

I know you’re really unpleasant to people on the paranormal threads so this other aspect of your personality doesn’t surprise me really!

SingForYourDinner · 31/07/2026 07:23

keepswimming38 · 31/07/2026 07:21

I know you’re really unpleasant to people on the paranormal threads so this other aspect of your personality doesn’t surprise me really!

So, @CurlewKate should be feeding their delusions? Bless.

JoshLymanSwagger · 31/07/2026 07:24

@CurlewKate
Go girl!
You Doo You.

Sorry, couldn't resist it. 😁

PatriciaRocks · 31/07/2026 07:25

It's tough, though. So many post "would of/could of/should of" . I have to hold back.
My current irritant is the use of "loose" for "lose".
Lots of people are trying to "loose weight".
We need a support group. This will have to be it, @CurlewKate😉

PatriciaRocks · 31/07/2026 07:26

keepswimming38 · 31/07/2026 07:21

I know you’re really unpleasant to people on the paranormal threads so this other aspect of your personality doesn’t surprise me really!

Is she? I'm assuming she's sceptical?

TorroFerney · 31/07/2026 07:26

Flannelfeet · 31/07/2026 07:15

I wish I was a pigeon, ah doo, ah doo
I wish I had a pigeon and id shit all over you.

🤭🤭🤭

Would it not be the pigeon that did that not you as the owner? Or are you a pigeon who owns a pigeon as a pet.

as an aside I saw a woman with a pet pigeon whilst we were on holiday last month.

DreadedInn · 31/07/2026 07:30

NotSorry · 31/07/2026 07:21

I’m scratching my head wondering how “Bach” can mean hen “doo” - please help 😬

Batch as in bachelorette party

DreadedInn · 31/07/2026 07:32

Sorry should have said bachelorette doo

EnjoythemoneyJane · 31/07/2026 07:32

I’ve only ever seen this spelling in reference to dog ‘doo’, but it certainly feels appropriate in this context, given the horrendous stag and hen shitshows that are described on here.

sorrynotathome · 31/07/2026 07:33

DreadedInn · 31/07/2026 07:30

Batch as in bachelorette party

I’m a relaxed pedant in British English but the insidious creep of American into our beautiful language really gets me going!

NotSorry · 31/07/2026 07:33

DreadedInn · 31/07/2026 07:30

Batch as in bachelorette party

Thank you! I’ll probably see it everywhere now 🤣

NotOnYourEllie · 31/07/2026 07:35

Never seen it.

The weird oo one I always see is "I want to loose some weight", "I don't want to loose out on something". Could that stop please?

I am a bit pedantic, but keep it to myself. I would never actually correct someone or question it unless I truly couldn't understand what they are saying...or if their op was especially goady maybe mwahaha!

Sereine · 31/07/2026 07:39

LittleGreenDragons · 31/07/2026 06:41

There's nothing wrong in typing stag doo's! Confused You are just a snoob.

Grin

Apart from the fact that the word "doo" doesn't exist, and if it did it wouldn't need an apostrophe in the plural.

dizzydizzydizzy · 31/07/2026 07:40

sorrynotathome · 31/07/2026 06:57

I saw a comment recently about teaching with phonics and how it has affected younger people’s ability to spell. English is tricky - I think we would all agree! The pronunciation of words is not predictable or logical. Hence “do” is pronounced the same as “too” but not the same as “to”. Let’s not get started on all the different ways to pronounce words containing “ough”. So if people are writing “hen doo” it may be because they are conscious of how it’s pronounced. Perhaps they are right!! (And I say that as a pedant myself)

I was at primary school in the 1970s and I wonder if it wad unfashionable to learn to spell back then. I only got to grips with spelling in the late 80s when I was a student and got my first computer (with a spellchecker).

EnjoythemoneyJane · 31/07/2026 07:40

Sereine · 31/07/2026 07:39

Apart from the fact that the word "doo" doesn't exist, and if it did it wouldn't need an apostrophe in the plural.

Pretty sure this was a joke …

Sereine · 31/07/2026 07:41

keepswimming38 · 31/07/2026 07:21

I know you’re really unpleasant to people on the paranormal threads so this other aspect of your personality doesn’t surprise me really!

Is she unpleasant, or does she just question what the evidence is for the existence of paranormal phenomena?

CamillaMcCauley · 31/07/2026 07:42

I’m quite charmed by the addition of an extra ‘o’ to words to create emphasis. I think I’ll try it with some other ones tooo.

AgnesX · 31/07/2026 07:43

Agadoo, doo, doo, stuff a pineapple up a tree...or something 😁

Thankyou, OP for helping with today's earworm!

Velvera · 31/07/2026 07:43

concertinacornflake · 31/07/2026 07:11

This thread will become unbearable as all the pedants will now add other things to it. The thread needs moving to repressed misanthropes' pedants' corner.

Yep. There will be all the usual posts about 'chester draws' 'should of' 'reign it in' etc. In fact 'ect' will appear at some point.

Ratherhaveacupofteaandabiscuit · 31/07/2026 07:47

There is nothing wrong with expecting a basic level of spelling, grammar, and language.

Sadly, stupidity and ignorance are now celebrated so there is no drive for self improvement.

You have already been called a snob on this thread.

Undoubtedly I will receive a slew of abuse as well.

I think “reality tv” has much to answer for with incredibly ignorant individuals have becoming role models.

This has also undermined any semblance of normal morality, which has instead been replaced with a bizarre new set of “rules” (especially around relationships) directing how to behave.

These rules are generally entirely sexist and pander to the patriarchy but are represented as modern feminism.

Looks, misplaced self confidence and the ability to dominate are given enormous weight whilst intelligence, self reflection and sensitivity is mocked.

Added to this problem is the Americanisation of our language and values which stems from high consumption of US tv and social media.

I hardly need say that America is probably the last culture we should try to emulate.

It is a sad state of affairs and really every pedant needs to stay the course to fight the good fight but I understand it can be exhausting.

ShowOfHands · 31/07/2026 07:48

Like a PP, I'm a reformed pedant. As a teacher of English, my care for my dyslexic students started my journey. Having a ds who adores English and language, but is dyslexic with slow processing, I've become thoroughly ashamed of my previous pedantry. DS feels angry and sad at times. He's been teased. He worries about his future.

I've decided to see common errors as whimsical. "His" for "he's" is now a glorious new portmanteau and the extra "o" in an erroneous "loose" is a cannonball waiting to be set loose until we lose it in a battle for correct spelling.

To scratch my pedantry itch, I save it for institutions such as the BBC who should know better. To that end, if they don't revise their understanding of the difference between "sat" and "sitting" or "stood" and "standing", I shall write a strongly worded letter.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 31/07/2026 07:49

DreadedInn · 31/07/2026 07:30

Batch as in bachelorette party

Christ on a bike. I wouldn't have got that in a million years.

If I were in the market for a namechange, I'd be strongly tempted by RepressedMisanthrope. I hope someone else is inspired to adopt it.

topcat2014 · 31/07/2026 07:50

CurlewKate · 31/07/2026 05:39

After 30 years as an active pedant, I am now trying VERY hard always to look at what people obviously mean, and not the way they express it. Not everyone has been taught about apostrophes.

But for the love of GOD- please stop saying “stag doo” “birthday doo”. Any other “doo”! Where did that come from?

Scooby doo is still OK though 😀

topcat2014 · 31/07/2026 07:52

I have a dyslexic wife, and I have learned to ignore and look through so much