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Pedants' corner

It’s ‘champing at the bit’ I tell you.

82 replies

fluffiphlox · 26/11/2018 12:13

Not ‘chomping’ you numpties. (Ah that’s better).

OP posts:

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PlainJane007 · 26/11/2018 22:03

My MIL always says things get a bit thwart when under pressure. Suspect she means fraught 🤔

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Annandale · 26/11/2018 22:09

Yes it's lack of reading and a vague stab at expression rather than seeing language as something you can learn about, share and enjoy.

'Are' for our absolutely kills me. I also hate misspelling of French or Latin phrases. If you're pretentious enough to use them, learn to spell them or use something else fgs. Per say.

I do have a soft spot for 'ect' because of Molesworth.

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iklboo · 27/11/2018 12:20

'Orrrrrrr look at are . Int she cute?'

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WeaselsRising · 27/11/2018 12:41

I have noticed a lot of he's instead of his on FB just lately. What is that about? I thought who's was bad enough.

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halfwitpicker · 27/11/2018 12:43

Sorry, fluffiphlox, I was definitely agreeing with you.

I should have said something like 'it is indeed champing'

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halfwitpicker · 27/11/2018 12:44

Problem is, people don't know that it derives from the fact that horses champ at the bit (bit being the bit between their teeth)

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IsabelleSE19 · 27/11/2018 12:51

With all the pps except I do think it's rolling boil.

I hate 'step foot in' instead of 'set foot in' and 'have a wonder' instead of 'have a wander'. And an honorable mention to 'pacifically' instead of 'specifically'.

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squishee · 27/11/2018 13:12

It's champing. Thanks for the thread OP!

I agree with everything raised here except "roiling boil" (?)

The thing is, most of the MN boards are now full of autocorrect nonsense, so it's impossible to tell whether misnomers are intentional or not.

When did the Union Jack become the Union Flag?

And do people say "batshit" in real life? I've been out of the UK many years, so feel a bit disconnected from current speech.

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IsabelleSE19 · 27/11/2018 13:51

I think the flag should technically only be called the Union Jack if it's on a ship and is the Union Flag in all other cases. In practice that distinction hardly ever happens though!

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AmazingGrace16 · 27/11/2018 14:17

"I led down"
No..you laid down

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BurningTheToast · 27/11/2018 14:23

Oh, I've found my people! (Waving)

'Free reign' (have seen 'free rain' too), 'damp squid', endless incorrect uses of 'literally'... but nothing, nothing makes me twitch as much as 'would of'.

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Abra1de · 27/11/2018 14:32

"I led down"
No..you laid down

Lay down
Unless it was an object.

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AHintOfStyle · 27/11/2018 14:35

Can I just mention:

Chester Draws

Or any kind of ‘draws’ which should be ‘drawers’ !!

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HSMMaCM · 27/11/2018 14:44

My DH keeps talking about Threshers Week at my daughter's uni. I have an image of farmers......

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HSMMaCM · 27/11/2018 15:26

Sorry ... university

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fluffiphlox · 28/11/2018 08:12

I do so wish there was a ‘like’ button on here.

OP posts:

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Arkengarthdale · 28/11/2018 08:46

Toe the line, not tow! As in: all line up with your toes touching the line so we're all facing the same way at the same time, like at the start of a race.

Phased for fazed annoys me too. And loose for lose. And reign it in. Aargh! I spend quite a lot of my day being annoyed 😁

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TheFaerieQueene · 28/11/2018 08:55

Decimate - it means to take out 1/10th. (It’s in the word!)
Now it seems to be used to mean obliterate. This makes me a bit cross.

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bringincrazyback · 28/11/2018 18:21

'laxadaisical'. Makes me want to throw stuff!!! Oh, and people mispronouncing 'mischievous' as 'mis-cheev-ee-ous'.

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HalfBloodPrincess · 28/11/2018 18:30

My sister says (or types) ‘can’t be asked’ instead of can’t be arsed.

Me: Fancy going for a drink tonight?
Her: No, I can’t be asked.
Me: Yes, you can. I just did.

Makes my hands palms itch.

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Knittink · 28/11/2018 19:55

I led down" No..you laid down

No. You lay down.

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Knittink · 28/11/2018 20:09

'Laid' is the past tense of the verb 'to lay', which is a transitive verb. You can only lay something down, you can't just 'lay down'.

'Lay' is also the past tense of 'to lie', which is an intransitive verb. You can say 'I lie down'. If you say 'I lay down', it can only be past tense, not present.

Sorry. Having a language teacher moment.

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HSMMaCM · 28/11/2018 20:34

I can't tell you how many times I've corrected my daughter saying "I was sat....." 😡

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MarklahMarklah · 28/11/2018 23:08

Not quite in the same camp but still annoys me - "seagull". There is no such bird!
There are various types of gull but nothing called Seagull. I know years ago they were far more common in coastal areas, but many types are seen inland now.

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MarklahMarklah · 01/12/2018 11:34

Just bumped into a neighbour who was telling me about the canapé they're going to be installing as they don't want a porch.

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