Words or phrases that annoy you (even if you can't explain why) . . .

[koelsh]

Off topic: for anybody interested, here is what the US-based Modern Language Association says about quotations and other punctuation marks (I had a suspicion, confirmed there, that the norm of always placing terminal punctuation inside quotation marks was related to typography, not grammar, much like the typewriter custom of double spacing after a period that is not needed anymore for visual clarity):

Why do periods and commas go inside quotation marks in MLA style? | MLA Style Center

The MLA Handbook notes, “By convention, commas and periods that directly follow quotations go inside the closing quotation marks” (267). Thus, in the following sentence, the comma is placed after taught: “You’ve got to be carefully taught,” wrote Oscar Hammerstein II. The rule is the same for a...

style.mla.org

Thank you! I was sure at some point in school we were drilled told the punctuation goes inside the quotation marks no matter what.

To snarkily over-simplify the decree style presented in the MLA handbook. Ending punctuation is to go inside the quotation marks because we think it looks better. We've elected to ignore that this will cause misquotes.

It's demanding that things be done a certain way because some person in the 50's had an opinion despite the same standards bodies acknowledging that today's technology and methods completely negates the dogma. Otherwise known as The American Way #59©™

 

[adrianlondon]

That is probably where it came from (I'm not a Budweiser drinker, although I am more than partial to a good beer).

But, good God....as a text, or email?

Or, rather, as a text or email from anyone who claims to know me?

Yo Scepty,

Wazzup?

Kind regards,
Adrian.

 

[Gregg2]

Well, a pet peeve is one thing; definitions of words is another. Using your logic, you would have to say the government considers murder "allowable" because murders happen. No, murder is most certainly not allowable, which is why murderers are prosecuted by the government. Just because something is unacceptable doesn't mean it's impossible for it to happen.

Good point.

 

[Clix Pix]

I was reminded today of another relatively new usage of the English language which bothers me....

Example: "Because Christmas Day." What happened to saying "Because it's Christmas Day." ??

 

[chown33]

I was reminded today of another relatively new usage of the English language which bothers me....

Example: "Because Christmas Day." What happened to saying "Because it's Christmas Day." ??

Because texting.

 

[Clix Pix]

Good point! Even when I text, though, I spell out each word and use proper grammar and punctuation, and I don't use those stupid emojis and Memojis. If I am going to communicate with someone I am going to do it in words so that whatever I'm writing is clearly understood by the recipient.

 

[ritmomundo]

"[Name] and I" vs "[name] and me" or "[name] and my."

People tend to avoid using "me" as an object pronoun now, even when it's grammatically correct. Reality TV has made this so much worse.

"They gave it to Bob and I." "Welcome to Kim and I's party." 😖

 

[Clix Pix]

Oh, I've seen "me" still used incorrectly, too. "Me and Joe went to the mall last night...." so that's still around. Ugh! Both that and the examples in the post above mine are indeed incorrect grammar.

 

[usagora]

"[Name] and I" vs "[name] and me" or "[name] and my."

People tend to avoid using "me" as an object pronoun now, even when it's grammatically correct. Reality TV has made this so much worse.

"They gave it to Bob and I." "Welcome to Kim and I's party." 😖

Oh, I've seen "me" still used incorrectly, too. "Me and Joe went to the mall last night...." so that's still around. Ugh! Both that and the examples in the post above mine are indeed incorrect grammar.

Yet the grammatically incorrect expression, "It's me!" or "It's just me!" when announcing your presence is widely accepted. Technically, it should be "It's I!" 😉

 

[Clix Pix]

True, dat......

(There's another annoying little saying!!)

 

[Herdfan]

Because texting.

That opens up a whole new can of worms.

It took me a while, but I finally broke the offspring of texting 1 word then Send, another word or two and Send until she finished what she was going to say. Told her I wasn't going to ignore all texts from her if she kept doing that.

 

[Nermal]

Because texting.

Argh. I have a friend who happily types out full sentences with complete words, with the exception of "you", "your" and "yours" which become "u", "ur" and "urs".

"I don't think they make u do that unless ur over 70 years old." - Him, five minutes ago.

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

That opens up a whole new can of worms.

It took me a while, but I finally broke the offspring of texting 1 word then Send, another word or two and Send until she finished what she was going to say. Told her I wasn't going to ignore all texts from her if she kept doing that.

"Can of worms".

Apparently the term comes from the difficulty of re-closing a can of live bait worms, after you have opened the can to take one to use as bait.

My question is -- if it is so difficult to re-close the can, how did the worms get into the can in the first place, and how was the lid closed? Is there a magic teleporting machine that transports a bunch of worms into an already closed can?

Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[adrianlondon]

"Can of worms".

Apparently the term comes from the difficulty of re-closing a can of live bait worms, after you have opened the can to take one to use as bait.

My question is -- if it is so difficult to re-close the can, how did the worms get into the can in the first place, and how was the lid closed? Is there a magic teleporting machine that transports a bunch of worms into an already closed can?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Well, you've opened a can of worms with that one.

 

[SalisburySam]

Good point! Even when I text, though, I spell out each word and use proper grammar and punctuation, and I don't use those stupid emojis and Memojis. If I am going to communicate with someone I am going to do it in words so that whatever I'm writing is clearly understood by the recipient.

Then for texting you are in a decided minority of users.

 

[Clix Pix]

Then for texting you are in a decided minority of users.

Yep. That's fine with me. I text with those who know me anyway and who are well aware that I tend to be wordy rather than concise in my communications and that I am not into using symbols but rather words to express myself.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Good point! Even when I text, though, I spell out each word and use proper grammar and punctuation, and I don't use those stupid emojis and Memojis. If I am going to communicate with someone I am going to do it in words so that whatever I'm writing is clearly understood by the recipient.

Likewise.

I concur (fully) with both the sentiment and with this practice.

Anyway, for my part, I write text messages as I would write emails, and, as I would write (old-fashioned) letters, using proper grammar and punctuation, and again, I prefer not to use emojis. Words can express what I wish to say perfectly well.

Yep. That's fine with me. I text with those who know me anyway and who are well aware that I tend to be wordy rather than concise in my communications and that I am not into using symbols but rather words to express myself.

Agreed.

What is wrong with using words to express oneself?

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

What is wrong with using words to express oneself?

I, on the other hand, am limited to expressive grunts before the first morning coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I, on the other hand, am limited to expressive grunts before the first morning coffee.

Ah, well, prior to one's first coffee in the morning, well, yes, I must concede that I find myself entirely in sympathy with you on this subject.

My own grunts when in that miserable state tend towards the monosyllabic, monosyllabic mutters into the foul morning.

However, that is the spoken word; when writing (even if compelled to do so by unhappy circumstance) before I have sipped, savoured, swallowed, my first cup of coffee of the day, even then, (yes, with gritted teeth, busily consigning my unfortunate interlocutors to the abode of the rebel angels while asking that perdition seize them), I will use whole words, and not emojis, or acronyms.

 

[MBAir2010]

"Honey, let's have our honeymoon in Carlstadt, NJ"

 

[Scepticalscribe]

"Honey, let's have our honeymoon in Carlstadt, NJ"

Perhaps you could please explain just what this means to those of us who do not hail from the United States.

Because, otherwise, to be quite candid, I am utterly lost, in that, I haven't a clue what this post means as - not coming from the US - I have no idea whether or not the bolded bit offers some sort of explanation, or context.

 

[Nermal]

Anyway, for my part, I write text messages as I would write emails, and, as I would write (old-fashioned) letters, using proper grammar and punctuation, and again, I prefer not to use emojis. Words can express what I wish to say perfectly well.

I tend to still abbreviate text messages (depending on the recipient) since I learned to send them on a phone that could fit about 20 characters on the screen, required multiple keypresses per letter, and had a limit of ~160 characters. It's rubbed off on me a bit: When I sent instant messages on a computer I tend to forego the use of capitals and some punctuation, but I still use complete words. Email and forum posts both get the deluxe treatment

I don't excessively use emoji (he says, fully conscious of the one used above) and I'm not even sure what a "memoji" is (some way of indicating what you're focusing on?).

 

[Clix Pix]

What I think looks ridiculous is when someone, especially an adult, forgoes the use of capital letters when writing posts on this or any other discussion forum. Then when the adult attempts to use teen slang and shortcuts they look even sillier.

 

[usagora]

Perhaps you could please explain just what this means to those of us who do not hail from the United States.

Because, otherwise, to be quite candid, I am utterly lost, in that, I haven't a clue what this post means as - not coming from the US - I have no idea whether or not the bolded bit offers some sort of explanation, or context.

Well, I'm from the US and I don't get it either, and a quick Google search didn't shed any light.

 

[ejb190]

What is it with everyone saying "Gotcha" instead of "okay" or "I see" or literally anything else. And I don't understand why it bothers me so much.