Where on Earth has this sprung from?

[readitandwept]

The use of "to which"? Just flung in in any context?

"To which this helped"
"Waiting on my car selling to which I'm going to buy another"

Just some examples I've read on here.

It's getting right up there with "alot", "afew", and other such made up bollocks

I've only ever seen it on MN. I thought I was the only one it bothered and that it must be a UK thing. (I am Canadian.)

Thank you @Andylion! I was also starting to think it was just me!

I've noticed a similar thing on MN with etc.

A poster will start a post with something like: went dancing with a friend etc. He or she will then go on to scatter random etcs at various points throughout the rest of the post.

To make matters worse etc almost always seems to be written ect in these posts.

Oh I thought this was going to be a discussion on capitalising the E in Earth! I know it's the correct thing to do, but I still don't do it!

Might have its roots in a combination mishearing and misinterpretation of “to wit”.

I’ve considered starting a thread on this exact topic.

I’ve only ever seen it on MN. However, I’m not British so perhaps it’s common in the UK?

It sounds ridiculous.

On some threads here, I think it’s an attempt at legalese.

I have seen it on American forums too.

It is becoming more and more common.

I have never seen it so far but probably will now :-).

It's up there with 'bored of', 'would of'' and 'should of'.
Also 'off of'' rather than just 'off'.

@TalkinAboutManetManet

It does often come across as if the poster is trying to appear more articulate, or that what they are saying is of particular importance.

@HollowTalk I can't take any credit for that. My phone did it automatically

Just read it twice in one post on another thread on here.

Why?! It makes no sense!

And nor does my irrational hatred of it, I know!

It's not just MN - random 'to whiches' are popping up everywhere. I find them very grating.

Really?

I don't really use any other forums and have scaled back on social media. Sounds like I need to keep it that way!

@Bluerussian what’s the problem with “bored of”?

Maybe it's autocorrect being stupid.

Or met with. Why not just meet?

Another one that annoys me that I see on MN all the time: hence why, as in: I spent a lot of money on clothes yesterday, hence why my account is now overdrawn.

WTF I have never read that. I really hope I continue to avoid it, how gross.

@pigsDOfly Not noticed that one yet. I shall report back though!

Also, "eachother" is upsetting me.

The use of "rediculous" 😫

Definately, I'm defiant about that.

I've read "abit" three times on here today. I've also seen "alittle" recently. Why are people just making up words??

A prolific poster on a Facebook group (for teachers) uses 'ect' frequently. Her posts are peppered with ects but I can't bring myself to correct her. 🤷

Harls1969 - oh, go on! Correct her, please.

Do it for the team.

'atall'

Nope. Not a word - not at all!