My friend uses the wrong words...

[nickytwotimes]

My very good, kind and lovely friend uses the word "pacific" rather than the correct term "specific". My fellow pedants, what do I do? I have turned a blind eye (or deaf ear) to it thus far, but it drives me crazy. Another lovely friend responded to my ds saying "How do you do?" (he is 18 mths - very cute!) by saying "Very well thank you and how are you?"!

Am I going straight to hell for being so judgemental?

Midnight Express! Segue!! At least you didn't set a homework task for a bunch of 10 year olds to find 6 examples of "segueways" on TV and radio broadcasts! And then have to pretend it was a typing error when class smart-arse (no doubt prompted by smart-arse's pedantic parent) pointed it out!

Oh but it doesn't. It means 'pithy, using few words, terse'

Clam , you can come and dance round the Bonfire with me.

I am also guilty of seeging seamlessly into the next subject.

Oh, my kindred spirits.

Just realised I say what sounds like 'should of' but it's really just 'should've' - I know it's a contraction - Is that still incorrect??

My dear Dr Lockhart:
no, it's fine in this modern age, as long as you elide and don't separate the words. Should of would be ... baiyad.

I am beginning to suspect that my pedantry is a refuge from The Big Picture.

During our romantic Valentine takeaway last night, I thought I'd test dp on the think/thing debate. Ha ha, I said, there are some people in the world who think it's 'thing', not 'think'. Dur.

Short pause. Then he said 'It is "thing". Why would it be "think"? Are you stupid or something?'

Maybe it's a regional thing. He's from north Herts. UQD, where are you from originally? Maybe 'thing' has gained a particularly strong toehold in that area.

Oh god, I've reopened the debate.

or maybe a regional think?

Well I'm from north Herts too botbot and it's 'think' - don't waver . My folks are Scottish though, but I'm sure earlier on there was someone suggesting that 'thing' might be Scottish so I don't think it's regional.

Right, not regional.

Oy.

It's not a regional thing.

Oh, and just to add another teaspoon of evidence to the already-huge pile in favour of 'think', OED has 'think' as a noun (i.e. the act of thinking, or a period of meditation) from 1835. So it isn't even strictly an error, though it is playfully deliberately close to one.

I hope that UQD has been turning in his bed all night and is ready to admit his error and receive the collective shriving of Pedants' Corner.

Yes, indeed, Threadie, a shriven UQD would be a wonderful thing.

botbot - Kent. But I've lived in the north (Yorks) for most of my adult life.

Are you ready to recant UQD? Or will you be dragged to the stake protesting your unchanged conviction all the way?

This thread is very funny. UQD I think you must give in. I always thought it was 'thing' but I learnt a while ago that the original is indeed 'think.' It makes me laugh because I'm afraid UQD this is quite male behaviour, and it is funny, especially hanging on to what Tech said, as the only other man on the thread. Sorry, but it is true and most amusing.

AND I also learnt that 'of the first order' was originally 'of the first water.' Can that be right do you think? Of the first water is a diamond grading system I understand.

I fear poor UnquietDad has taken the role of Pentheus to be torn limb from limb by the Bacchae-pedants.

I'm off to suckle some wolves.

Here we go again. I've always said 'first water' not 'first order'. Didn't know it's to do with diamond grading though!

I associate snakes with the first water, and mistakes with the first order. Do I have to have another think?

Snakes?

First water, highest order.

Male behaviour?!

Rrrrrrright, because no woman on here has ever stood by her views in the face of opposition. Oh, no, siree (madamee).

It's not merely opposition, it is conclusive, beyond all doubt, carefully referenced proof.

I am going to put you forward for membership of the Flat Earth Society.