Grammarians, wordsmiths, etymologists (nerd thread?)
Follow us on...
Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Watch us on YouTube
Register
Likes Likes:  0
Page 1 of 16 123411 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 228
  1. #1
    Runnin' With The Devil
    te5150's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.17.03
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,388
    Posts Per Day
    0.18
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Last Online

    09.24.13 @ 01:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default Grammarians, wordsmiths, etymologists (nerd thread?)

    Hey all:

    Graeme and I enjoyed a good grammar debate in another thread, and a few others joined the fun, so I thought maybe the topic deserves a place of its own.

    I'm unsure how the conversation will go, but I'll start things off with a few language issues people abuse most often.

    The contraction for "you are" is "you're."

    The contraction for "it is" is "it's."

    Example: "You're asking for trouble with a thread like this. You're sure to have your ass handed to you."

    Example: "Why do you say that? It's the best thread of its kind."

    Have any others? Jump in with the rest of us nerds!

  2. #2
    Hang 'Em High
    ZeoBandit's Avatar
    Join Date
    01.29.02
    Age
    48
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    18,172
    Posts Per Day
    2.18
    Favorite VH Album

    F.U.C.K.
    Favorite VH Song

    Humans Being
    Last Online

    Today @ 11:15 AM
    Likes (Given)
    159
    Likes (Received)
    194
    Thanks (Given)
    78
    Thanks (Received)
    56


    Donor

    Achievements:
    Padawan Praiser75,000 VHL Life PointsWell-LikedThee King

    Default

    Ain't ain't a word because ain't ain't in the dictionary.
    "What we are dealing with here, is a complete lack of respect for the law" - Jackie Gleason, Smokey and the Bandit

    www.geocaching.com - The site where you are the search engine.

  3. #3
    Bullethead
    knuck's Avatar
    Join Date
    10.23.06
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    411
    Posts Per Day
    0.06
    Favorite VH Album

    WACF
    Favorite VH Song

    "Honolulu Baby" haha
    Last Online

    02.24.19 @ 12:33 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    0

    Default

    ha ha ha ha! You just addressed my two biggest pet peeves in that first post.
    Put down the Cheetos, log off Mr. Skin, stop arguing like a bunch of old ladies, and GO OUTSIDE!

    http://www.myspace.com/dragstripriot

  4. #4
    Somebody Get Me A Doctor
    Dan Halen's Avatar
    Join Date
    07.16.00
    Age
    39
    Location
    Corvallis, OR, USA
    Posts
    9,345
    Posts Per Day
    1.05
    Last Online

    09.26.07 @ 03:38 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    10


    Donor

    Default

    It's Mean Street, not Mean Streets. That's the one that always pisses me off.
    "It's so damn hot... milk was a bad choice." --Ron Burgundy, Anchorman

  5. #5
    I'm The One
    darthadv's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.27.04
    Location
    Queens, NYC
    Posts
    2,511
    Posts Per Day
    0.33
    Favorite VH Album

    I, II, 1984
    Favorite VH Song

    Jump/D.O.A./Beautiful Girls
    Last Online

    01.05.12 @ 10:51 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    36

    Default

    how about unnecessary apostrophe's when all you want is the plural form's of the word's?

  6. #6
    Runnin' With The Devil
    te5150's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.17.03
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,388
    Posts Per Day
    0.18
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Last Online

    09.24.13 @ 01:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    An interesting one I discovered the other day is the word "agnostic."

    In most cases, people use it to describe those who believe there is no proof of God's existence, yet who do not deny the possibility of God's existence. Yet the word's origin is much broader based, and it technically can describe a person's lack of understanding about any subject.

    Such as, "Isn't TiVo the greatest?"

    If you've never seen TiVo, you correctly can respond, "I don't know. I'm agnostic."

    Try it on your friends. See what kinds of looks they give you.

  7. #7
    Runnin' With The Devil
    te5150's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.17.03
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,388
    Posts Per Day
    0.18
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Last Online

    09.24.13 @ 01:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by darthadv View Post
    how about unnecessary apostrophe's when all you want is the plural form's of the word's?
    Those folk's didn't pay attention in English classe's.

    Good call.

  8. #8
    Top Of The World
    graeme's Avatar
    Join Date
    01.27.03
    Age
    17
    Location
    Dusseldorf, Germany.
    Posts
    3,949
    Posts Per Day
    0.50
    Favorite VH Album

    They're all shit
    Last Online

    07.16.20 @ 06:43 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    32

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    "You done gone an' done it now"
    "They has been well funny"
    "I can't get no...." (OK it's the Stones...)


    aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhh


    te5150, I am going to find a link to a David Beckham interview, just for you, to see how gloriously the English language can be mangled.

    Pure art.

    I told you what i do for a living , and this is the truth, so I will tell you now: I videotaped a Becks interview and took it into my class (complete with transcript) for them to find the grammatical errors. Learning by understanding mistakes blah blah....

    It was, as they say, fucking hilarious.

    "Sir, Is he English then?"

    "Er, like, you know, I reckon, you know, that, erm, whatever, yeah, guess, might be, you know what I mean"

    Ambassador for the sport my fucking arse.

    ps. Don't get me started on Dubya.
    A man could lose himself in a country like this.

    My blog at http://tollins.blogspot.de/

  9. #9
    Hot For Teacher
    WinterlessIceness's Avatar
    Join Date
    09.03.03
    Age
    39
    Posts
    10,270
    Posts Per Day
    1.33
    Last Online

    03.11.23 @ 11:42 AM
    Likes (Given)
    33
    Likes (Received)
    12
    Thanks (Given)
    176
    Thanks (Received)
    109


    Donor

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserWell-Liked75,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Dude youdda be playing soccer since 4 you'd speak just like him.



    I prefer to spell right and use a proper grammar most of the times, but text/IM english sometimes takes over.

  10. #10
    Runnin' With The Devil
    te5150's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.17.03
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,388
    Posts Per Day
    0.18
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Last Online

    09.24.13 @ 01:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WinterlessIceness View Post
    Dude youdda be playing soccer since 4 you'd speak just like him.



    I prefer to spell right and use a proper grammar most of the times, but text/IM english sometimes takes over.
    Even if he was a student athlete his entire life, the word "student" is in there somewhere. You'd think a few rules would have sunk into his skull.

    As for the texting, instant message and Internet shorthand, I predict they will be the downfall of the written word. Someday, complete senteces will go way of the wagon wheel. That's a shame, too, because crafting a vibrant and effective sentence is hard. In a generation or two, it will be impossible, I fear. Alas, the same probably was said about the wagon wheel 100 years ago.

  11. #11
    Top Of The World
    graeme's Avatar
    Join Date
    01.27.03
    Age
    17
    Location
    Dusseldorf, Germany.
    Posts
    3,949
    Posts Per Day
    0.50
    Favorite VH Album

    They're all shit
    Last Online

    07.16.20 @ 06:43 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    32

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    OK te5150, I couldn't find the interview i was after but, just for everyone's amusement, here is Ali G interviewing the unholy couple.

    Ali G has cleverly spoofed UK slang to the extent that most thickos couldn't tell the difference but there actually are English people that speak this way.

    Also, regardless of most people's opnions of this over-exposed hyper celeb couple, at least they do have a self-deprecating sense of humour.

    Basically, this is pretty funny:



    ps. Footie fans actually did sing that song on the terraces. So loud you could hear it word for word on the TV.

    Quality.
    A man could lose himself in a country like this.

    My blog at http://tollins.blogspot.de/

  12. #12
    Top Of The World
    graeme's Avatar
    Join Date
    01.27.03
    Age
    17
    Location
    Dusseldorf, Germany.
    Posts
    3,949
    Posts Per Day
    0.50
    Favorite VH Album

    They're all shit
    Last Online

    07.16.20 @ 06:43 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    32

    Achievements:
    25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by te5150 View Post
    Even if he was a student athlete his entire life, the word "student" is in there somewhere. You'd think a few rules would have sunk into his skull.

    As for the texting, instant message and Internet shorthand, I predict they will be the downfall of the written word. Someday, complete senteces will go way of the wagon wheel. That's a shame, too, because crafting a vibrant and effective sentence is hard. In a generation or two, it will be impossible, I fear. Alas, the same probably was said about the wagon wheel 100 years ago.
    I'm with you on this one.

    George Orwell "1984". Basically, language will be diluted and slimmed down until people are unable to express their thoughts and feelings. Less room for subversion, right?

    URgr8. CUl8ta.
    A man could lose himself in a country like this.

    My blog at http://tollins.blogspot.de/

  13. #13
    Take Your Whiskey Home
    KT's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.26.04
    Age
    52
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    5,148
    Posts Per Day
    0.68
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Favorite VH Song

    Humans Being,5150,WhenIt'sLove
    Last Online

    10.08.20 @ 08:49 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    18


    Donor

    Achievements:
    VHLinks Proud!25,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by knuck View Post
    ha ha ha ha! You just addressed my two biggest pet peeves in that first post.
    DITTO!!! I'll add another one, however: their and they're. It drives me nuts when people can't use these two words correctly!

    OK, one more. "A lot" is 2 words!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ex: "I have a lot of patience with children. It's adults I lack patience with."
    Meet me in Cabo!

  14. #14
    Runnin' With The Devil
    te5150's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.17.03
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    1,388
    Posts Per Day
    0.18
    Favorite VH Album

    5150
    Last Online

    09.24.13 @ 01:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ktgiles View Post
    DITTO!!! I'll add another one, however: their and they're. It drives me nuts when people can't use these two words correctly!

    OK, one more. "A lot" is 2 words!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ex: "I have a lot of patience with children. It's adults I lack patience with."
    You mean, "It's adults with whom I lack patience."

    Just kidding, Kristi! However, if you continue abusing exclamation point privileges, your rights will be revoked. Jeez, you use alot of them!!!!!!!!

  15. #15
    Hot For Teacher
    WinterlessIceness's Avatar
    Join Date
    09.03.03
    Age
    39
    Posts
    10,270
    Posts Per Day
    1.33
    Last Online

    03.11.23 @ 11:42 AM
    Likes (Given)
    33
    Likes (Received)
    12
    Thanks (Given)
    176
    Thanks (Received)
    109


    Donor

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserWell-Liked75,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by te5150 View Post
    Even if he was a student athlete his entire life, the word "student" is in there somewhere. You'd think a few rules would have sunk into his skull.

    As for the texting, instant message and Internet shorthand, I predict they will be the downfall of the written word. Someday, complete senteces will go way of the wagon wheel. That's a shame, too, because crafting a vibrant and effective sentence is hard. In a generation or two, it will be impossible, I fear. Alas, the same probably was said about the wagon wheel 100 years ago.
    Meh I doubt that, texts and instant messengers would be gone before anything happens to written language. I know loads of IM/MSN teenagers who want and do speak properly, I know tons of adults who simply can't

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. VH Bad-Assed Chicks Thread aka the Girlie Thread Mark II
    By stilleddiesangel in forum VH Fans Meeting Place (Non-Music)
    Replies: 951
    Last Post: 03.10.17, 02:53 AM
  2. Another pic thread! ..Look!
    By guitar5150 in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02.27.07, 10:41 AM
  3. The look-a-like thread!
    By atomic_punk in forum VH Fans Meeting Place (Non-Music)
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 12.01.05, 03:29 AM
  4. New NFL Thread!
    By diggyd in forum VH Fans Meeting Place (Non-Music)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10.01.01, 04:36 PM
  5. Replies: 79
    Last Post: 09.17.00, 01:56 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •