AIBU to say it's not "ect"

[IceCreamWoes]

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?

DP has inadvertently reminded me of another infuriating one. It is not 'the hoi polloi'. It's Greek, and the 'hoi' is the article, so means 'the'. Hoi polloi means 'the people', you wouldn't say 'the the people'.

So by trying to sound clever, you have exposed your ignorance.

🤣🤣

Well they need to watch The King & I repeatedly. Yul will show them the correct path.

Not helped by the fact that the people who make TV programmes seem to have no interest in correcting people on their shows who make the mistake. I always wonder why the producer or director doesn’t say “Sorry Gregg, can you just do that bit again, but say “Last round you made a dessert that really impressed both John and ME”, rather than “impressed John and I”.

Do they

(a) not notice
(b) notice but think it’s an endearing quirk
(c) notice but are too scared of being shouted at by the presenters

Maybe they know that DH and I enjoy shouting “ME!ME!ME! at the TV” 😂

I hear it too in voiceovers that are obviously scripted. George Clark for example. Kirstie and Phil get it right, love them for that.

On a serious note, you can’t blame people for thinking it is correct when you hear people on TV saying it.

No definitely not, drives me batty. Xx

I am well enough off to have a car; I could have bought one if I wanted one. But I didn't. I still don't have a car

Some people value education but don't have the opportunity to get it. Others have the opportunity but don't take it because they don't value it. Both categories lack an education.

No if it's something formal I spend time doing it, concentrate and proof read. If I'm writing something on social media I barely even think about it.

The BBC programme makers and producers don't seem to know or care about grammar and would probably only correct it when listeners write in or phone up or shame them on twitter / X / facebook.

But only one category is blameless as regards their lack of education.

Try harder.

If I was was going to be a pedant, I really wouldn't start with a medium where every single app and device is trying to "correct" me. Especially not with Latin abbreviations.

and breath 😉

To be fair, that isn't the point you appeared to be making.

And I'm not sure that I agree with you clarification. If you're a child who comes from a family that places a negative value on education (and there are plenty of those) and your friendship group pour scorn on anyone who does their homework or pays attention in class, you are not responsible if you don't work hard at school; it's almost inevitable. What children do is look for approval from their loved ones; if their loved ones let them down by encouraging destructive behaviour then they will react accordingly

I remember reading Mandela's autobiography, in which he says how lucky he was to get to go to school, even though he had to walk miles to get there and back every day. His family recognised that the way to prosperity was through education. And I contrast his situation with that of the west where everyone has free education but many don't understand the opportunity and blessing it represents

The one that's currently exasperating me on MN is 'bare' instead of 'bear'. As in "I can't bare it." Yes you can, just take your clothes off!
See also: "Bare with me while I explain..."
No thanks, I can read quite well while dressed.

Or even worse 'free rain'.

I remember learning this at primary school
🫣

That’s horrible. Kind of mean and bullying. Childish, too.

Yes I'm with you on "play dates" and thinking that procreation starts at 35.

On the other hand, it makes perfect sense that parents of DC with SN would fine it easier to meet and talk on line and that anonymity makes them more likely to discuss the SN. I don't understand why anyone questions that.

Find not fine.

On the other hand, it makes perfect sense that parents of DC with SN would fine it easier to meet and talk on line and that anonymity makes them more likely to discuss the SN. I don't understand why anyone questions that.

And also that it's parents dealing with specific issues who will start and participate threads. How often IRL do you come across anyone talking about bed wetting in school age children, for example?

'You' for 'your', as in 'you husband'. Is it a typing error or do some people really think 'you' is correct? It's quite common on mumsnet.

there's always a debate on here, over whether it's Pedants Corner or Pedant's Corner. I didn't 'miss' an apostrophe, I chose not to use one

🫣

Why, on this of all threads, would you try to style out your mistake with a fictional "debate"?

I think that's the kind of interference that autocorrect likes to make.

I'm pretty sure that one is usually a typo, whereas 'your' vs 'you're' is more likely a mistake although occasionally it's an automangle.

"Off of" irritates me too.

Another one is "cover off on", when someone is saying that they are about to cover a topic. It's come from America, but it's getting more common in the UK now.

Also...

"alternate" being used instead of "alternative".

And...

"attendee" instead of "attender" for someone who attends something (e.g. a conference), "retiree" instead of "retirer" for someone who retires, and "escapee" instead of "escaper" for someone who escapes.

In each case " er" is the person doing the verb and " ee" is the person it's done to (e.g. an employer employs an employee).

But all of these are well and truly lost now.