Words that are NOT Interchangeable!!

[headshrink]

read/read
lead/lead

Oh wait... that is something else, isn't it?

[kkim]

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

Is it just me but now i'm paranoid when i type something. Nothing seems to look right anymore

lil' one... don't you speak two languages?

[Flow]

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

oh.... here is one that my GF's wigger sons use.


Dog / Dawg

I actually do use "dog" to mock the wiggers around here. "Greetings, my dog!"
It irritates the piss out of them.

[revstriker]

A minor peeve or mine. When people say or write "wheel barrel".

[miks]

Smart-asses saying "fix your grammer", seriously if you're trying to be a smart-ass at least you could get it right!

[adouglas]

Here's a good reason not to use text-glish.

Read the following Craigslist ad.

Hello, everyone!

I am selling my black and yellow 2004 GSXR 750. It has about 6,800 miles on it and is running great. The bike is mint - never dropped, and I've never done a burnout on it. It's got HID lights, an aftermarket exhaust and a number of other modifications.

I'll post photographs later, or give me a call and I'll send them to you. I'm ready to show the bike anytime, but please don't waste my time if you're not interested in buying it. Thanks!

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Here's the catch. I translated that ad into something resembling English. Here's the real one.

hello every one i am selling my 2004 GSXR 750 IT have abt 6800 miles on runing great bike is mint never drop or burn out i put HID on it and exuhast other things bike look black/yellow i will post the pic later or call me i text u the pic i am ready to show u the bike any time plzz dont wast my time if not intersting buying it thaxx 000000-0000 call me any time

Speaking only for myself, if someone can't be bothered to spend the tiny bit of effort it takes to write in English, they are sending a signal that they can't be bothered to do other things that take effort and attention to detail... like maintain their bike properly. I'd be biased against the real ad.

You're on a phone? I don't care. It's still sloppy. Wait until you get to a computer.

Which one would you be more likely to respond to?


PS: I also spotted an ad in the same area for a "zuzuki catana."

[ninjabrewer]

Hmmm, interesting thread. Got to admit, I have to agree with what has been said. In 12 years of school, I think I had english every year, but I have forgotten most of it. In college, I think I have had 1 english, 1 English Literature, and 1 technical report writing class, and most of the classes that I have taken had papers in them, sometimes many papers. Many times the instructor would grade not only the content but the writing itself, punctuation and grammer. In the service, I have met many individuals that speak english as a second language and they all have said that english was much harder to learn because of the exceptions to the rules, ie i before e except after c; a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y. One of the examples that stands out is comb and home, they rhyme but are spelled differently.

nb

[lockie]

I spent 35 years in radio, talking and writing. Yep, our language skills as a society are changing. That's the weakness and the strength of English and it's loose rules of grammar. It's nice to see though, that people still care. It's nice to see that sometimes good clear language has power.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by adouglas

See what I mean?

I could have said

"WTF, ppl can't speak anymore. Sux."

You got through loud and clear. It took me a long time to figure out what "WTF" stood for. Actually, I asked my son who texts a great deal--also asked about "LOL" I thought it was some sort of code.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

You got through loud and clear. It took me a long time to figure out what "WTF" stood for. Actually, I asked my son who texts a great deal--also asked about "LOL" I thought it was some sort of code.

In our family "WTF" is pronounced, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot." Yes, we are a bunch of weird pilots and aviation buffs.

[Sailariel]

I use to fly years ago, and also spent 14 years cruising in a sailboat. Clarity is a must when one uses a radio for communication. I really get a kick out of some of the names people give their boats--literally unpronouncable on the radio. Ten years ago one had a call number, but that is no longer the case.

[Samer]

I just remembered another one... (I have a lot of peeves) I don't like it when people shorten words too much, like 'thru'. Just spell it out. On a street sign with limited space, that's one thing, but I don't see people writing about x-ing the street. I suppose that is the next step in the devolution.

[ninjabrewer]

Going to throw another log on the fire here. England speaks english, America speaks english. Why the different spellings for some words? Some that come to mind are armor/armour, fiber/fibre, color/colour, fetus/foetus. (armour, colour, foetus got tagged on my computer as misspelled)

nb

[Flow]

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

Going to throw another log on the fire here. England speaks english, America speaks english. Why the different spellings for some words? Some that come to mind are armor/armour, fiber/fibre, color/colour, fetus/foetus. (armour, colour, foetus got tagged on my computer as misspelled)

nb

English has evolved since 1776. When you separate two countries completely and don't have them efficiently communicate until much, much later you're going to have some changes. They're tagged by your spell-check as misspelled because you're using an American dictionary to define the way things are spelled.
This is what they are, after all -- a program that checks to see if the word is in a dictionary or simply a list of English words.

[Postiez]

I think there is a time and a place where proper English is necessary online but I don't think people should have to be worried about all the time. When instant messaging or on forums I have been known to use a "your" instead of "you're" or even sometimes a "ur" and I don't think it's a big deal. I'm actually pretty sick of my friends on IM correcting me when the clearly get the context completely. I still get easy A's in my writing classes and I don't think I make a fool of myself too much when trying to be more professional.

[mrlmd]

England speaks English, the US speaks American. There seems to be a difference.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Postiez

I don't think people should have to be worried about all the time.

I'm not worried about all the time. I might be worried about some of it, though....


It's not just about getting the point across. Attention to detail does count. Especially when it comes to leaving the subject out of the sentence!

You can hammer a nail with your ratchet and it will work, but that does not make it the right tool for the job.

[CZroe]

This thread is super-win. It almost seems as if many people go out of their way to do it wrong on these forums.

I've got another to add: Rediculous
You wouldn't "redicule" someone for doing something stupid, so it's "ridiculous."

[revstriker]

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

Going to throw another log on the fire here. England speaks english, America speaks english. Why the different spellings for some words? Some that come to mind are armor/armour, fiber/fibre, color/colour, fetus/foetus. (armour, colour, foetus got tagged on my computer as misspelled)

nb

And a hood is a bonnet and a french fry is a chip. And you might be surprised what a fag is.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by revstriker

And you might be surprised what a fag is.

Cigarette, bundle of burning sticks....

[drowe531]

Once you leave the Northeast, a jimmie get a new meaning I believe

[CZroe]

Some more:

Sell / Sale

"My bike is for sale."
"I would like to sell my bike."
"There is a sale on used DVDs."
"These DVDs are on sell."
"These books are for sell."

Use / Used

"I used to ride fast."
"I use to eat meat."

[BlueRaven]

This was a little confusing for me in high school when they introduce canadian english words versus the american english words. This became confusing because all the english books we were reading did not have these canadian words so when we had to write our book reports and used the american english word we would get it wrong and the teacher would mark it as a grammar error.

examples: american/canadian
center/centre
labor/labour
neighbor/neighbour

[Sailariel]

I still find myself using Canadian/UK spelling when I am tired or not really concentrating a great deal. French and German were my primary languages until I was 10. I was then immersed in English, in school, and had to learn the language rather quickly. My mother, who learned English in London, helped us with our homework--hence, the spelling of colour, honour, harbour, boot (for trunk) and lorry (for truck). The English teachers who taught me did not correct the spelling of those instances because they were acceptable in Webster as a second way of spelling the word. Marking the words as misspelled could easily be contested, so no issue was made in this case. In those days, however, leftys were not tolerated. Every time I used my left hand, I got a ruler across the knuckles. I learned to write with my right hand. Years later, when I was in the service, I found myself shooting a rifle right handed with great accuracy and shooting a pistol left handed with great accuracy. Using a pistol with my right hand was a total disaster. Now I know why I am so screwed up---my teachers tried to mess with nature.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by drowe531

Once you leave the Northeast, a jimmie get a new meaning I believe

A twist on this thread (different words with the same meaning):

Jimmie=sprinkle (as in on ice cream)
Hoagie=grinder=sub (submarine)=hero=torpedo
Fried dough=funnel cake=elephant ears
Cabinet=frappe=milkshack
Tonic=soda=bubbley=soft drink=pop

[DRivero]

Originally Posted by Talonne

supposably/supposedly

That one drives me nuts. I have a friend who is highly intelligent, has a monster I.Q., graduated first in his class at law school, and he pops out "supposably" all the time. I bust him every time, but he always denies having said it. I think it's hilarious.

I am a stickler for proper spelling and grammar, though with no formal education under my belt, I imagine I have no right to be. I am also picky about the way certain words are pronounced or, rather, mispronounced:

jew-ler-y (jewelry)
reel-a-tor/reel-a-ty (realtor/realty)
nuke-u-lar (nuclear)
Cari-bee-an (Caribbean)

I know, I know.....that last one, I've been told time and again, can be properly pronounced either way, but to me it's Ca-RIB-be-an; the other way grates me.

Also, misspoken phrases:

"Little to say" (for "needless to say"--I know TWO people who use this)
"Far and few between" (come on, people.....that doesn't even make SENSE!)

Confession: I am a comma-holic (so I've been told by an English teacher), and a dot-aholic (as in "I use dots when I type......a LOT"), so I guess nobody's perfect.

(Now.....off to check everything I've ever posted here for misspelling and bad grammar........)

[Postiez]

Originally Posted by DRivero

Also, misspoken phrases:

For all intensive purposes
For all intents and purposes

[CC Cowboy]

I hear people say, "on accident" instead of "by accident". I always correct them.

I truly believe our school system has left too many behind.

[ninjabrewer]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Jimmie=sprinkle (as in on ice cream)
Hoagie=grinder=sub (submarine)=hero=torpedo
Fried dough=funnel cake=elephant ears
Cabinet=frappe=milkshack
Tonic=soda=bubbley=soft drink=pop

I was not aware of "Jimmie" meaning the same as sprinkle or "cabinet" meaning the same as a frappe
Your last one, and those that have met many people from the many sides of the US, needs an addendum. Coke=pop=soda=soda pop=soft drink

Originally Posted by DRivero

I am a stickler for proper spelling and grammar, though with no formal education under my belt, I imagine I have no right to be. I am also picky about the way certain words are pronounced or, rather, mispronounced:

jew-ler-y (jewelry)
reel-a-tor/reel-a-ty (realtor/realty)
nuke-u-lar (nuclear)
Cari-bee-an (Caribbean)

Thank you for pointing out "nuclear", I was not aware of that pronunciation until, oh I don't know, the last decade. Now I hear several people pronouncing it that way/

Originally Posted by DRivero

Also, misspoken phrases:

"Little to say" (for "needless to say"--I know TWO people who use this)
"Far and few between" (come on, people.....that doesn't even make SENSE!)

I have used those two for pretty much my entire life, except the last is reversed, ie few and far between. To me that makes sense, ie rest areas on the highways are few and far between, meaning there isn't very many of the them and there is a great distance between them.

one more

freeways=interstates=highways

just my

nb

[Postiez]

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

freeways=interstates=highways

I don't think these are interchangeable. Highways can have stoplights, businesses on the sides, and be connected to the grid of roads in a town whereas freeways always have on and off ramps, no stop lights, and are divided in the middle. As far as I know interstates are a US only thing because it is just the name of our freeway system taken from the original plan "Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways".

[ninjabrewer]

Depending on where you are I guess. I grew up with a road that has limited access, ie on/off ramps, was an interstate. In California, there is so many roads that are not interstates meet that description and they are called freeways and some call the ones that have the red and blue number interstate sign freeways also.

nb

[CC Cowboy]

Florida has an interstate that doesn't go from state to state (4 goes from Daytona Beach to Tampa). Why don't they call it an innerstate?

[ninjabrewer]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Florida has an interstate that doesn't go from state to state (4 goes from Daytona Beach to Tampa). Why don't they call it an innerstate?

Hawaii has 3, all on Oahu.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Florida has an interstate that doesn't go from state to state (4 goes from Daytona Beach to Tampa). Why don't they call it an innerstate?

We should take away Florida's INTERnet access, and only allow INTRAnet access until they fix this.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Florida has an interstate that doesn't go from state to state (4 goes from Daytona Beach to Tampa). Why don't they call it an innerstate?

Because it's part of the Federal Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate System. It has more interstate purposes than driving alone (aircraft landings, relieve of other Interstates etc). Consider an Interstate bypass... like i285 (ATL, GA), 405 (LA, CA), 805 (SD, CA), and so on. They are interstates completely within one state.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

Depending on where you are I guess. I grew up with a road that has limited access, ie on/off ramps, was an interstate. In California, there is so many roads that are not interstates meet that description and they are called freeways and some call the ones that have the red and blue number interstate sign freeways also.

nb

An Interstate is an "Interstate Highway," so it is a highway, but not all highways are Interstates. Not all highways have medians either. I have seen i15 referred to interchangably as "Highway 15" in San Diego but it really does become California Highway 15 (CA-15) south of i8, entering downtown SD. That isn't always the case. For example, GA-85 has nothing to do with i85.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by DRivero

That one drives me nuts. I have a friend who is highly intelligent, has a monster I.Q., graduated first in his class at law school, and he pops out "supposably" all the time. I bust him every time, but he always denies having said it. I think it's hilarious.

I am a stickler for proper spelling and grammar, though with no formal education under my belt, I imagine I have no right to be. I am also picky about the way certain words are pronounced or, rather, mispronounced:

jew-ler-y (jewelry)
reel-a-tor/reel-a-ty (realtor/realty)
nuke-u-lar (nuclear)
Cari-bee-an (Caribbean)

I know, I know.....that last one, I've been told time and again, can be properly pronounced either way, but to me it's Ca-RIB-be-an; the other way grates me.

Also, misspoken phrases:

"Little to say" (for "needless to say"--I know TWO people who use this)
"Far and few between" (come on, people.....that doesn't even make SENSE!)

Confession: I am a comma-holic (so I've been told by an English teacher), and a dot-aholic (as in "I use dots when I type......a LOT"), so I guess nobody's perfect.

(Now.....off to check everything I've ever posted here for misspelling and bad grammar........)

I said "lawyer" recently and my niece interrupted me and demanded that I say it a few more times, after which she attempted to correct me: "Loy-yer" Like "Lloyd-yer" without the "d"

[CZroe]

I gotta say this just because people in the North East have no idea how wrong it is and even put it in textbooks.

DO NOT use [Minutes] of [Hour] to express minutes until the hour. "Fifteen of one" may mean "15 'til/till 1 o'clock" but no one outside of your region understands you (try saying it to random people in the South or even California; I've tried it). It's the reason national and international media NEVER use it. Just search for a mainstream movie or song title in that format. You'll find a movie called "10 till Noon" but nothing the other way around. It's simple professionalism.

And to those of you who think it makes sense even if you've never heard it before ("it means 'of' dammit!"), think about that for a second. Yes, "3 o'clock" means "3rd hour OF the clock," but what does half "of" the way to a destination mean? It doesn't mean that you have half way to go; it means that you have traveled half way, which is strikingly obvious when you change it to one-third "of" the way to the destination. There is no way that it means "one-third of the way until set distance from point of origin remains to be traversed" If you think "minutes of the hour" makes sense in regular English, you are as bad as the people saying Could of/Would of/Should of without being able to say what that even means (nothing... it's nonsense. "Of" != "Have").

We have MANY other PROPER ways to express the same thing which genuinely do make sense in English for somone who hasn't heard to understand anyway. USE THOSE.

[Hadyn]

I had a professor in school that used "basically" as often and as incorrectly as a teenage girl uses "like."
He would basically just use "basically" multiple times in basically all his sentences, basically. Even for things that weren't actually basic at all. One of my classmates actually counted the number of times he said it in a 2 hour lecture, she came up with a number somewhere in the 400s.

I also wince when people use "literally" incorrectly. Unless something actually happened, "literally" is not the right word to use.

[KJohnson21]

Many people incorrectly use the word "physically" in that way also.

"I physically saw it."

I'm pretty sure that they meant to say something like, "I personally saw it." For some reason, when they're trying to describe that they witnessed something, they like to throw in the word "physical" for emphasis.

Unless there's direct contact between two or more objects, nothing physical happened.