Slog - Comments on Important List http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list As someone who wrote jive in a Slog post yesterday when I should have written jibe (thanks for fixing that, Nat), I am digging this long list of misused words, which includes basics like these: Alibi: an alibi is the proven fact of being elsewhere, not a false explanation. Convince: Don't convince people to do something. In that context the word you want is persuade. The prime minister was persuaded to call a June election; he was convinced of the wisdom of doing so only after he had won. Only: Put only as close as you can to the words... Copyright 2008 Thu, 10 May 2007 00:01:20 -0800 Thu, 10 May 2007 17:58:58 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Rottin' in Denmark Oh good, more ammo for the word-snobs out there.

While these lists are interesting from a word-origin perspective, the fact is that language works the way its used. Therefore, it's not necessarily incorrect to say 'careen' instead of 'career'. The meaning of those words has simply shifted over time. Yes, it's originally because of a mistake in usage, but who cares? No one says 'The car careered around the corner' in 2007 America, and it's pedantic and unfriendly to correct your friends every time they say 'careened'.

Though it's mildly annoying when people don't know the nuances of their own language ('uninterested' vs. 'disinterested' comes to mind), it's exponentially more annoying to hang around people that are on 24-hour WordWatch, constantly correcting you on some arcane definition, even though they know what you mean. Don't take the bait, Feit!

]]> Rottin' in Denmark http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711685 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711685 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 02:48:32 -0800 Comment by Gloria Huh. Who are they to define aggression as unattractive?

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711748 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711748 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 04:04:17 -0800 Comment by Rachael V First Dude: Shit man, that honky mus' be messin' my old lady... got to be runnin' cold upside down his head. You know?
Second Dude: Hey home, I can dig it. You know he ain't gonna lay no mo' big rap up on you man.
First Dude: I say hey sky, s'other s'ay I wan say?
Second Dude: UH...
First Dude: Pray to J I get the same ol' same ol'.
Second Dude: Eh. Yo knock yourself a pro slick, gray matter live performas down now take TCB'in man.
First Dude: Hey, you know what they say... See a broad, to get that booty yak 'em.
First Dude, Second Dude: Leg 'er down 'n smack 'em yak 'em
First Dude: Cold got to be. You know? Shiiiiit.

Now THAT's jive. :)

]]> Rachael V http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711821 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711821 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 05:31:02 -0800 Comment by Eric in Boulder Are you sure it's "don't take the bate, Feit"? I had always assumed it was "don't bite, Feit." Josh, you care to clarify? Your surname: like a boxing match, or like inexorable destiny?

]]> Eric in Boulder http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711834 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711834 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 07:36:24 -0800 Comment by ebsur Usage notes from grammar marms are often in conflict with actual, ancient usage of the language. Grammar marms often "invent" grammar rules (like the rule not to split an infinitive, which has been correct in English for a thousand years). The "convince" rule you cite is just one of these absurd made-up rules. Random House says this:

—Usage note Convince, an often stated rule says, may be followed only by that or of, never by to: We convinced him that he should enter (not convinced him to enter) the contest. He was convinced of the wisdom of entering. In examples to support the rule, convince is often contrasted with persuade, which may take to, of, or that followed by the appropriate construction: We persuaded him to seek counseling (or of his need for counseling or that he should seek counseling). *****The history of usage does not support the rule.***** Convince (someone) to has been in use since the 16th century and, despite objections by some, occurs freely today in all varieties of speech and writing and is fully standard: Members of the cabinet are trying to convince the prime minister not to resign.

There is a great blog that often discusses grammar marm rules and reality: LanguageLog (http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/). Although technical at times, it is a great read and full of great tidbits to take down the Marm.

]]> ebsur http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711839 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711839 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 07:46:46 -0800 Comment by Josh Feit Eric in Boulder @4,

Certainly. ei in German is pronounced eye. So, as I used to tell teachers on the first day of school, "Feit. Like Muhammad Ali."

]]> Josh Feit http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711840 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711840 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 07:46:57 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus Fascinating, Josh. Personally, I'm glad someone is paying attention to language. I don't think that's snobbery; it's learning how to say exactly what you mean. Makes it easier for the reader and easier for the listener. What's better than that?

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711853 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711853 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 08:27:51 -0800 Comment by stickler yeah yeah, language is fluid. but i still hate that nucUlar and heighTH now have to be in the dictionary due to rampant misuse.

]]> stickler http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711855 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711855 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 08:31:11 -0800 Comment by SeMe "homes" "homie" never "home"

ie What up homes!

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711912 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c711912 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 09:48:56 -0800 Comment by BB If only. That’s my alibi, don’t try to convince me otherwise, I don’t care if it jives with your story.

]]> BB http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712041 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712041 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 11:14:27 -0800 Comment by Callie I totally thought it was pronounced like "fete," the French word for party.

]]> Callie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712122 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712122 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 12:43:54 -0800 Comment by maxsolomon today a recruiter told me my resume "peaked" her interest.

PIQUED.

and Kudos is a singular thing. pronounced 'koo-doss', not 'koo-doughz'. it means 'glory'. it is NOT PLURAL. there is no 'kudo'.

i can't take it much longer.

]]> maxsolomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712471 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/important_list#c712471 Life Thu, 10 May 2007 17:58:58 -0800