this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2025
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[–] Bosht@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My pet peeve is 'loose' being used when 'lose' is intended. It's so common now it might as well be the new spelling but I will die on this hill. I've had people comment in response to me correcting someone like I'm being ridiculous. Feels like I'm taking crazy pills!

[–] Snowpix@lemmy.ca 4 points 23 hours ago

I seen that all the time.

[–] Sunsofold@lemmings.world 2 points 22 hours ago

What if they all use it 'wrong' but all use it differently?

[–] skisnow@lemmy.ca 15 points 1 day ago

If it's only morons that use it "wrong", then it does indeed become right, but still gains the added subtext of "by the way I'm also a moron"

[–] moderatecentrist@feddit.uk 15 points 1 day ago (4 children)

So I should accept people saying "could care less" when they mean the exact opposite? Not sure I can do that.

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Idioms don't have to (and often don't) make sense. How do you feel about "head over heels"?

[–] moderatecentrist@feddit.uk 5 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Interesting - Wiktionary says that the phrase was originally "heels over head", which makes sense when conveying the sense of tumbling over. I guess that became corrupted, resulting in "head over heels". Maybe I should start saying "heels over head" then.

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago

Consider the distinction between accurate and efficient. If your way of speaking becomes technically correct by some standard, but inefficient for the purpose of communication, is that really a desirable outcome? Does it have to be perfect, or just good enough to convey thoughts?

[–] chrizzly@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago

Now reading it, I never directly realized it being this (wrong) way in the english language. In German the equivalent term would be "Hals über Kopf" (Neck over head) which made sense for a feeling of the world being upside down. Funny that in English it is actually the "normal" worldview - at least how the modern expression goes.

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

I mean, the main point is that language doesn't have to make "logical" sense. It's not a math problem. Just look at all the inconsistencies in pretty much every aspect of a language. It's all there simply because of history and people agreeing on meanings for words and phrases. For example, you've got something like prepositions. There's literally zero logical reason why we talk or speak to someone, but we don't tell or converse to someone.

And people who are more rigid in thinking about language always seem to think the language they learned growing up is the most "correct" version, whether that has a basis in history or not. Like even though literally has been used as an intensifier for (literally) hundreds of years, that seems to be a sticking point, whereas something like very, which has a similar root (veracis meaning truth), any sentence using very doesn't have to have an exact truthful meaning.

Hell, once we go back to "original" meanings of words, where do we stop? The singular use of "they" is older than that of singular "you", but I somehow never see the "singular they is confusing" crowd advocating for a return to thee/thou.

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[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

Irregardless, you can still make fun of people for anything. Remember the US president and that disabled guy?

[–] tetris11@feddit.uk 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

People need to start saying "God be whit ye!" again instead of "Goodbye" which IMO has nothing to do our Lord and Father in Heaven

[–] Karjalan@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Well I could care less if can't do that

[–] fadhl3y@feddit.uk 5 points 1 day ago

I think we should bring back philosohoraptor - Morpheus seems wrong for this meme

[–] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

classic case of the four-leaved-clover story

edit:

[–] VinesNFluff@pawb.social 3 points 1 day ago

Prescriptivists should be shoved into all the lockers in the world.

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 25 points 2 days ago

And I'm still gonna bitch about it if they've reduced the usefulness of a word due to habitual misuse!

[–] michaelmrose@lemmy.world 30 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Well. Sort of.

Some terminology is better defined by how the relevant experts use it. It's singular and precise definition is required for any useful dialogue. If 99% of people call a kidney a liver but doctors call it a kidney its a kidney.

Some terminology evolves and is used differently by different groups. Sometimes the more illiterate group flattens the language by removing nuance or even entirely removing a concept from a language with no replacement. Arguably both definitions may be common usage but one is worse and using it means you are.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Some word usage just becomes so common everyone, even generational gaps understand it. If you talk to an 18 or a 65 year old and say the word blowjob, they both know what you mean, yet they aren't out there blowing on dicks or trying to force air up urethras... Hopefully...

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[–] Rachelhazideas@lemmy.world 21 points 2 days ago (8 children)

For all intensive purposes, the meaning of words matters less than how we use it. Irregardless of how we decimate it's meaning, so long as we get the point across there is no need to nip it in the butt. Most people could care less.

[–] 2xar@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I hate you.

[–] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 1 points 22 hours ago

Definately!

I will hunt you for sport.

[–] RamSwamson@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 day ago

I'm filled with unreasonable blind rage now. Thank you.

[–] Geldaran@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago

::glares:: Well done. 😆

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 2 points 1 day ago

I guess it’s a moot point

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[–] m3t00@lemmy.world 20 points 2 days ago (2 children)
[–] hakunawazo@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't see the backside of Morpheus' head.
Should look like that:

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[–] Jimjim@lemmy.world -1 points 20 hours ago

Oh.. my lord... I would bet 1 trillion dollars that OP was public schooled in America.

Im homeschooled in America

[–] qualia@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (1 children)

Descriptive ~~language~~ grammar >> prescriptive ~~language~~ grammar

descriptive linguistics >> prescriptive linguistics

[–] Grabthar@lemmy.world 28 points 2 days ago (3 children)

But do you mean literally everyone or literally everyone?

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[–] Geth@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 2 days ago (5 children)

I've allready to rite we'll, but than my conscious sad, “For get the rules,” so I let my lose ideals led me. I’m two stubborn to accept that I should of staid in school.

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[–] PattyMcB@lemmy.world 86 points 2 days ago (18 children)

Ok ok... I'll be the one...

"Wrongly"

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[–] PabloSexcrowbar@piefed.social 73 points 2 days ago (20 children)

I'm gonna get the shit downvoted out of me for this, but the problem with this idea is that insular communities tend to redefine words and then expect everyone outside their bubble to know their new definition. Doing so also robs the language of a word that served a specific purpose, such as in the case of the word "literally."

[–] MisterFrog@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

My pet example is Americans and "ironically/unironically".

Please don't do this to me

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[–] wowwoweowza@lemmy.world 14 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What if I told you that if everyone uses a word the “wrong” way, in slightly different ways, it’s wrong?

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[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (2 children)

"Everyone" meaning the social media someone and their social set get their info and cues from, not the rest of the people around them.

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