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Pedants' corner
Original poster

"can I get?" Arghhhh

46 replies

Drizzela · 25/02/2011 12:25

Is it grammatically wrong or am I just unreasonable to cringe when I hear this?

As in; "Can I get a diet coke and a Big Mac, please?"

Surely "can I have?" or "may I have?" is correct?

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 25/02/2011 13:02

I was in the queue in Pret one day, and I said, "Can I get a latte, please?" And the man behind me said to the person he was with, "Everyone says that in Glasgow. You'll get used to it."

So, maybe it's a regional thing.

Sarsaparilllla · 25/02/2011 13:02

I hate this too, really annoying, I think it's an American way of saying it that's caught on

thenightsky · 25/02/2011 13:05

It is wrong and I hate it too OP.

The other one that gets my goat is 'for free'. Surely something is just 'free'.

GinSlinger · 25/02/2011 13:18

I agree. To my ear it sounds impolite but I can't really justify that.

Original poster
Drizzela · 25/02/2011 13:39

Glad I'm not alone. I agree with your 'free' comment thenightsky.

I have tried to google grammatical reasons why 'get' is wrong but have had no luck.

I'm in SE AgentProvocateur so not sure about the regional aspect...

OP posts:
DamselInDisguise · 25/02/2011 13:43

I've always said 'can I get'. The verb 'get' means 'come to have' or 'receive', so it's not wrong.

It is perfectly normal in Glasgow.

Iklboo · 25/02/2011 13:47

Can I ask a quick related question?
On American programmes, I've heard characters/people say 'bring' where I would say 'take'. F'rinstance:

A: I'm going to the park on Saturday with Jane
B: It's going to snow, remember to bring a coat

B isn't going to the park.

Does anyone in the UK say 'bring' in this context?

DamselInDisguise · 25/02/2011 13:48

I do.

I really don't think either of these ways of phrasing are 'American'.

Iklboo · 25/02/2011 13:49

I don't mean they are American in origin, it's just that I've only heard them on American programmes (IYSWIM).

ginmakesitallok · 25/02/2011 13:50

I always use "Can I get...?" - very usual up here, as is "remember to bring"

Iklboo · 25/02/2011 13:51

Damsel, are you in Scotland? I'm wondering if it may be a Scottish phraseology which 'crossed the pond' in the earlier emigrations?

DamselInDisguise · 25/02/2011 13:53

I'm not in Scotland, but I am Scottish. It probably is Scottish phraseology.

ShowOfHands · 25/02/2011 13:54

I used to hear that with the American students at the university (librarian). They would say 'I'm just going to bring my books back'. I've only heard it on American shows ie waving a perfectly coiffeured, smiling man off on a day out with his pfb, an astonishingly flat-stomached woman will chirrup at him 'don't forget to bring the diaper bag sweetie'.

GORGEOUSX · 25/02/2011 13:57

Drizella You are right.

My big bugbear is ......could of.......

instead of .....could have......

GROAN.

DamselInDisguise · 25/02/2011 14:09

Seeing as tis is pedants' corner, I feel duty bound to note that verbal instances of what you may hear as 'could of' are not always wrong. I wouldn't write 'could of', but I would say 'could've' and you may hear it as 'could of' as they sound very similar.

GORGEOUSX · 25/02/2011 14:14

DamselinDisguise You are correct.... however, usually, when I hear it, it's from my 15 year old DD and she is definitely saying could OF.......drives me nuts........ we have conversations along the lines of:

DD: ....she could of....

ME:......could HAVE......

DD: ....... she could HAVE, but she went.......

ME: ...... she SAID, She SAID, she never WENT anywhere.......

DD: She said....... and I goes......

ME: You SAID!!!!!

AAAAAAARRRGGH!!

Suchffun · 25/02/2011 14:17

It is only ok in the song 'Can I Get A Witness?' - apart from that it hurts my ears and YANBU.

Iklboo · 25/02/2011 14:19

There's a woman where I work who relates conversations:

'I turned around and said X, and then she turned around and said Y, so I turned around and said to her Z'.

She must be very dizzy!

Esian · 25/02/2011 14:21

ooh I love this corner of MN!

My pet hate is 'use' as in 'I use to go to'.
I see it all the time on Facebook and it drives me mad. Angry I have to sit on my hands to stop myself responding with 'used, you fools!'

I feel so much better now. Thank you. Grin

Figgyrolls · 25/02/2011 14:23

Actually mine is Loose, like you LOOSER, what are your trousers falling down? Are they LOOSER or are you just a LOSER.

Only thing I am really pedantic about.Grin

Original poster
Drizzela · 25/02/2011 15:04

One word.

Pacific.

OP posts:
Figgyrolls · 25/02/2011 15:37

Oh hell yeah, why why do people use pacific. Ffs, get a fucking dictionary and read it!!!!!!!!!

DH also has a very very irritating habit of picking up a word/phrase and using it for about 6 months THE WHOLE TIME!
And usually NOT in context!!!!

GORGEOUSX · 25/02/2011 16:21

Oh God, yes, PACIFIC..... another dreadful one.

GORGEOUSX · 25/02/2011 21:47

Also, 'can I lend your.........'

No, you can't! You can borrow it, but you can't 'lend' it.

Chaotica · 25/02/2011 21:51

I am a pedant but I'll defend 'Can I get...' Most people use it in Glasgow and I picked it up myself.