Pet peeves with expressions being written incorrectly

[TerrariaMum]

Thread to go aaaaaargh.

I'll start.

It is 'toe the line' not 'tow the line'. Seeing 'tow the line' is ragemaking. What are yours?

Totally agree with that one! In fact there was a whole thread on here once, with loads of people arguing the toss about why "tow the line" was correct!
Fair raised my blood pressure!

I know it's toe not tow, but why the ragemaking? why get so upset about such a small mistake that just shows the inevitable slipperiness and playfulness of language?

DadDadDad, after seeing your comment here after the one on the "anniversary" thread I started, I was going to suggest that you make a request for MN to start a section for people who don't give a shit about grammar and usage, then I remembered that that section already exists. It's called "everywhere except Pedants' Corner".

I think you might be happier there.

See my comment on the other thread about a third way. I am very picky about grammar and usage, but i also am concerned about my blood pressure - and yours too!

Otherwise, I'm very happy here, thanks.

On route

Working Progress

Pre Madonna (I kid you not)

Also hate it when people say Pacifically instead of specifically.

I really like Pre Madonna- I shall be adopting it as an approving phrase for music.

Isn't "on route" more or less a direct translation of "en route", so while I am sure some of us will want to preserve saying it with a French accent, I can see "on route" quite sensibly catching on. Does it matter?

"Pre Madonna" just makes me laugh - no rage here.

Ha, ha - pure coincidence, just looked at today's SMBC comic:
www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3421#comic

I had a boss who frequently used the phrase 'a damp squid'.
I used to wonder if she had ever considered why a squid, which, as a sea creature, would naturally be damp, might be used as a metaphor for something being unsuccessful.
I never corrected her because I didn't like her and I enjoyed hearing her say it in meetings and making other people there look .

I have a friend who frequently used to write "by enlarge". Instead of "by and large" ;)

I had to say Pre Madonna out loud. Hideousness!

Should/could/would OF makes me twitchy, and yourself and myself instead of you and me makes me so grumpy

This is my first time in Pedants' Corner and I feel I have found my spiritual home.

Baited breath / bated breath

Also "Off of.." (a la Scott Mills), as in "it is that bloke off of Eastenders".