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?

To work in the loan industry and not know the difference between lend and borrow is effing RIDICULOUS!!

Maybe someone will learn you ?

Did you mean to say “no, because of human error…”
🤣

“Because +noun” is a common stylistic feature of writing these days. I imagine it was done knowingly.

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.

@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.

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

Stationary as in car. Stationery as in paper.

Brilliant - I never heard that one!

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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/

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

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

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

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 😊