Feeling irrationally annoyed

[beCreativeInitiate]

AIBU feeling irrationally annoyed at the (thankfully confined to MN) use of 'think' when it's either entirely unnecessary or an annoying synonym for 'for example'?

I let most SPAG issues wash over me. Reflexive pronoun abuse doesn't bother me. Homophone confusion gets barely a look.

Fucking "THINK" however...

Grrrrr!

I'm prepared to agree with a petty SPAG post in principle ... but I need more. What exactly is the misuse you speak of? Example?

Maybe it's only me who notices!

For example:

We have just spent the last 6 months doing the place up spending a large amount of money in the process (think new kitchen, bathroom etc) and had literally just finished all this

"I would like to do travel reviews for a niche market (think holiday destinations/hotels/restaurants for a BME group)"

Even the strange use of 'literally' didn't annoy me in the first example.

"think" however ... !!!!

SPAG really grates for me. You cannot please all the people..etc.

You mean the acronym annoys you SubtleCheese?

How about in 'spag-bol'?

Ah, I must admit that hadn't registered as an annoyance with me.

But ... YANBU to be annoyed by misuse of language.

I dislike say being used in a similar way OP... I am thinking of taking a holiday, somewhere warm, say Sardinia.

Surely it's the imperative?

And say is just an abbreviation of let's say?

It's just completely superfluous. Take the word think out and both examples make perfect sense.
And I feel (irrationally, I'm sure) somewhat pissed off at being told what to think. No, you explain yourself clearly and I'll just follow along....

I often see it being used to indicate that the example/s given aren't exactly accurate (so as not to be outing). So something like "My friend is really in to a particular brand of handbags (think Mulberry, Chloe, Fendi)..."

It's useful in that context, I think, but I agree that it's superfluous when it precedes specific examples as in your post.

I don't like this either. People also seem to do it when explaining names, which makes no sense.

"My child has a very traditional name beginning with J, think John, Joseph, James."

What does SPAG mean?

You know, don't you, that linguistic change is perfectly normal? Presumably you don't mind that we we've moved on from, oh, I dunno, Chaucerian English?

Language isn't set in stone. It evolves constantly. People who find this boils their piss should find more important things to worry about.

You know, don't you, that linguistic change is perfectly normal

You know, don't you, that being irritated by linguistic change is also perfectly normal?

And while of course language evolves, we do not have to accept every torturous mangling of our language by any given person as somehow new canon, just because they used it?

I think I find it annoying because it is the imperative - i.e. telling me what to do! However I am easily annoyed!

You lost me at reflexive pronoun

@mikeyssister

SPAG = spelling, punctuation and grammar.

@Waffles80

I find the evolving of language absolutely fascinating (MSc in the subject) and I realise that it does so.

I find it funny you think I need something "more important" to worry about yet two posts of yours I remember were 'recommend me a hair dryer' and 'what shoes to match a dress for a wedding'.

@Funky - pronouns where the subject and object and the same; myself, ourselves, himself etc.

Correct: I can see myself in the mirror.

Incorrect: I'm fine thanks. What about yourself?
He asked William and myself to do it.
I directed all inquiries to myself.

YABU

I doubt my memory is as good as yours be (that, and I can't be arsed to advance search ) but I doubt I was "irrationally annoyed...grrrr!" about a hairdryer or shoes.

Thank you