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Pedants' corner

About to explode

22 replies

nornironrock · 16/05/2015 08:15

I am more than happy to admit that I am getting a little older, and may be becoming slightly less tolerant. However, with that said, I see no reason why I should put up with modern use of English that is just clearly wrong.

What I am referring to here, is the practise of ending sentences with
"... because (noun)".
I know this is an internet thing, but it is driving me CRAZY!!!

Anyone else?

OP posts:
PurpleWithRed · 16/05/2015 08:21

Could you give me an example? I genuinely don't think I've seen this. Thank goodness.

Cooroo · 16/05/2015 08:55

If you google 'because noun' you can spend happy minutes or hours reading up on the history of the construction. Because grammarians.

nornironrock · 16/05/2015 09:00

Indeed I can... in the i100 section on the independent website yesterday:

"Two girls try to blow a cockroach into each other's mouths, because Japan"

That is the complete strapline, and it is just the latest in a long line.

Other examples are in the vein of:

"Man protests against (x) because Tuesday"

"We posted this picture of a cute kitten because internet"

(SCREAMS IN FRUSTRATION)

OP posts:
Cooroo · 16/05/2015 09:55

Doesn't actually bother me, though I haven't noticed it much. It's shorthand with a touch of humour that relies on shared knowledge (or shared prejudice).

PausingFlatly · 16/05/2015 10:04

Oh I like it.

But I've only heard it spoken and imagine it written, "Two girls try to blow a cockroach into each other's mouths, because [Japan]."

So it's overtly a shorthand for [detailed bit I won't go into].

CamelHump · 16/05/2015 10:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsHathaway · 16/05/2015 10:14

What Pausing said.

It amuses me. Only on social media though.

PausingFlatly · 16/05/2015 12:07

Bit rubbish when it's used where
"because of Japan"
or
"because it's Tuesday"
would mean exactly the same, though.

And there's no [humorous nudge about big back story] involved.

PuppyMonkey · 16/05/2015 12:15

No sorry op I like it too, it makes me Grin

nornironrock · 16/05/2015 14:51

That's ok everyone... I guess it'll just have to be my own private hell!!!

OP posts:
PausingFlatly · 16/05/2015 16:00

It could get old pretty fast...

Pipbin · 16/05/2015 16:07

It's just for fun.
DH says it. 'I haven't moved off the sofa today because Skyrim', for example.

The reason is that the noun carries so much implied meaning it makes the sentence complete and doesn't require an explanation. (I know that it obviously does that's why it's funny.)
The people who use it know it's wrong.

So for example DH could have said 'I haven't moved of the sofa today because Skyrim is so awesome that I simply haven't been able to put it down.' There is no need for him to say anything after Skyrim as it's implied.

Anyway, I haven't done any chores today because Mumsnet.

Cooroo · 16/05/2015 16:41

Nice one Pipbin! My DP probably guesses this because whatever we talk about I come out with "oh there was a thread about that on MN..." and proceed to bore him with it for 10 mins.

SummerHouse · 16/05/2015 16:44

I have never heard of this because sheltered.

PuppyMonkey · 16/05/2015 17:37

Wtf is skyrim?Confused

Pipbin · 16/05/2015 17:42

It's a computer game. Ask a passing teenage boy, or 40something male

OneHandFlapping · 16/05/2015 17:46

I've noticed this, and currently quite like it, despite being an old gimmer. It can be rather funny if used properly.

Cooroo · 16/05/2015 23:36

Or teenage girl for that matter. However she's not playing right now because A levels.

Pipbin · 17/05/2015 09:41

This is true. I should remember that it's not just middle aged men who can clock up 400 hours on a game like this.

MrsHathaway · 17/05/2015 21:49

The people who use it know it's wrong.

I think this is key. It will would be excruciating when it enters if it were to enter general speech patterns.

Rather like the lolcats - I can haz cheezburger? - where the bad grammar is the joke.

madreloco · 21/05/2015 18:37

It has a specific meaning in its usage though. I like it.

LindyHemming · 26/05/2015 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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