“Whether or not the property belonged to Mr. Simpson or not is still in debate. Having said that, the manner in which this property was taken, we have a responsibility to look into that, irregardless of who the property belonged to.” ~ Lt. Clint Nichols
Yahoo News published the above quote by Lt. Clint Nichols. I’m not sure if it’s more annoying that Lt. Clint Nichols said “irregardless” or that a news agency that I check regularly published it without a [sic].
Now, I’m not particularly persnickety about word usage. I don’t mind most slang. In fact, I like the evolution of language. But I have a problem with words that came about from the speaker’s attempt to “sound smart.” Naturally, the opposite effect is achieved. And really, a police lieutenant doesn’t know that the word he wants is “regardless?” Arg!
Tarting up words is a ridiculous way to try to seem smart and it’s painful for the listener. Especially the polite listener who can’t say, “you idiot, that’s not a word!” Now that I really think about it, I probably shouldn’t hold my tongue. I suspect people who use “irregardless” don’t know it’s not a word. I’m not doing them any favors by cringing inwardly.
I suppose irregardless is a word now. But it’s a joke. It reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote, “This is like deja vu all over again.” Lately I’ve been noticing that this phrase, said without irony, has come into popular use. I’m just guessing that the people who can’t say deja vu without tagging with “all over again” don’t even know who Yogi Berra is.
I don’t really blame the speakers. As G.W. Bush said, “You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.” And with a message like that, is it any wonder that we’ve gone so wrong? Maybe I’m just misunderestimating people. I guess that’s the chance you take when you judge a speaker by his words.
MamaPeg is Watching You said,
September 22, 2007 at 10:52 am
And really, a simple word to the user can do wonders. I know someone who used that foul word over and over. When I corrected him, he welcomed my knowledge and now uses it perfectly. I was gentle so that helped. People appreciate when you help them become smarter! Even after 34 years of marriage…
Gary said,
September 22, 2007 at 11:01 am
I agree with this post.
Listening to Bush speak can make you dumber in a number of ways. It’s best to try to avoid listening to anything he says.
Gary said,
September 22, 2007 at 11:15 am
Things people say that make them sound dumb:
He don’t do that.
I should have went.
They need to higher the roof.
A guy I worked with once asked me “do it matter?” about something and it stuck with me. I love saying it.
There’s a repeated line in a Zappa song that goes “you ain’t got nothing, people.” I love how it doesn’t make sense and yet we understand the meaning anyway.
When did “stupider” become a real word? I was always told to say “more stupid.” Stupider doesn’t sound like an adjective to me. It sounds more like a noun. like a job title. George Bush = The Stupider. He makes us more stupid.
Jenn said,
September 22, 2007 at 6:00 pm
If stupidest is a word, stupider has to be one too.
julieluongo said,
September 23, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I cringe when I ask “who was there?” and someone answers, “Myself, Gary, Jenn…”
Myself? No kidding?
Jenn said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:33 am
You know, sometimes I have to think about which pronoun to use. I go back to a trick I learned way back in jr. high when my teacher said, “Drop the ‘and _______’ and see which pronoun makes sense.” As in, is it “Myself was there” or “I was there”?
michael said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:43 am
I cringe when people say “Ooohh! Snap!” Or, “My Babies”, or other such cultural fads. Buzz phrases piss me off. I mean, ok I’m X-Gen so like, as long as you say it with irony I guess it’s ok, but saying it like you mean it is horrific. And so is saying them too much, even with irony. The Irony card will only get you so far, and then it’s gross and overused, also.
julieluongo said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:44 am
Word Dork Tip of the Day:
Myself is a reflexive pronoun, which means it’s always bound to a noun or pronoun. In other words, you can’t have “myself” without “I.”
julieluongo said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:49 am
My babies and my sugars both suck. They’re totally presumptuous. I’m not your baby or your sugar. And if I am, then you better not be using the plural. Unless you’re Conan O’Brien, and then ok.
julieluongo said,
September 24, 2007 at 10:00 am
I’m also not fond of when people mispronounce words because their small children say them that way, and they think it’s cute. It’s off-putting when adult friends start calling trees frees or blankets bwankets. Ew. Don’t they get that their kids are supposed to be modeling them, not the other way around? Again, I’ll make an exception, but only for very clever inventions – like the kid who calls a dump truck a dumb fuck…that’s funny.
Additionally, adults without kids who baby talk are so mysterious to me, they might as well be aliens. In fact, they might be. They studied our culture and saw that children got what they wanted. Now they mimic them as a survival tactic in a harsh new world.
Dayv said,
September 24, 2007 at 12:45 pm
OMG, I hate when people misuse the word “myself.”
I think people use it inappropriately because they feel that the word “me” is too short to sound intelligent. As a general rule I tend to steer away from the word “myself” entirely. It’s almost never really necessary, even if you’re saying something like “Fine, I’ll just do it myself!” “Fine, I’ll just do it!” would suffice.
MamaPeg is Watching You said,
September 24, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I cringe when I ask “who was there?” and someone answers, “Myself, Gary, Jenn…”
I, myself, hate “myself”.
michael said,
September 24, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich
michael said,
September 24, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:
“I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”
“”I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"
“”"I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”
“”"”I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"
“”"”"I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"”
“”"”"”I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"”"
“”"”"”"I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"”"”
“”"”"”"”I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"”"”"
“”"”"”"”"I myself don’t mind the correct usage of myself, as in:”"”"”"”"”
Please excuse me Julie. I’m testing students today, and I’ve been locked in this room with them for about 4 hours now with not enough stimulus. Hopefully I’ll be finished in the next hour or so.
michael said,
September 24, 2007 at 1:43 pm
My name is John Johnson
I live in Wisconsin
I work in the lumberyard there…
The people I meet
As I walk down the street
They say: “Hello!”
I say: “Hello!”
They say “What’s your name?!”
I saaaayyyyy….
My name is John Johnson
I live in Wisconsin
I work in the lumberyard there…
The people I meet
As I walk down the street
They say: “Hello!”
I say: “Hello!”
They say “What’s your name?!”
I saaaayyyyy….
My name is John Johnson
I live in Wisconsin
I work in the lumberyard there…
The people I meet
As I walk down the street
They say: “Hello!”
I say: “Hello!”
They say “What’s your name?!”
I saaaayyyyy….
My name is John Johnson
I live in Wisconsin
I work in the lumberyard there…
The people I meet
As I walk down the street
They say: “Hello!”
I say: “Hello!”
They say “What’s your name?!”
I saaaayyyyy….
My name is John Johnson
I live in Wisconsin
I work in the lumberyard there…
The people I meet
As I walk down the street
They say: “Hello!”
I say: “Hello!”
They say “What’s your name?!”
I saaaayyyyy….
michael said,
September 24, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Ok ok, I’m done now.
capricorn1966 said,
September 24, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Or when parents put a “Y” on the end of everything. Would like some juicy, or milky. See the horsey….That drives me crazy.
Jenn said,
September 24, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Michael’s song reminds me of another one…
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “No”.
He said “Turn the button with your left hand.”
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “No”.
He said “Turn the button with your right hand.”
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “No”.
He said “Turn the button with your left foot.”
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “No”.
He said “Turn the button with your right foot.”
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “No”.
He said “Turn the button with your head.”
Hi, my name is Joe and I work in a button factory
I have a wife and a dog and a family
One day, my boss came up to me and said, “Hey Joe, are you busy?”
I said, “Yes!!!”
Jenn said,
September 24, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Here is why I will never vote for Barak Obama (in addition to him being a democrat.) After he won his local election, his wife was introducing him on stage and she referred to him as “my baby’s daddy”. Ugh. Are you kidding me? Your husband was just elected to the US Senate and your introduction is ridiculous. Sit down and shut up.
Jenn said,
September 24, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Also, I could go on for a very long time about how much I hate the language of texting teenagers. I hate misspellings like kewl are cul8r. seriously, wtf? (Yeah, I know)
Dayv said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Ooh, Jenn, how about those people that just type k instead of ok…
You know, it just takes waaaay too much effort to type that “o” in there.
Gary said,
September 24, 2007 at 6:39 pm
“Or when parents put a “Y” on the end of everything. Would like some juicY, or milkY. See the horseY….That drives me crazY.”
That made me laugh. We do that. I’m sure we’re pretty annoying. Luckily were hardly ever around anyone.
Sarah said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:43 pm
HAAA. “Luckily were hardly ever around anyone”…..I understand the feeling. I like the use of the ironic cultural catch phrases and am now aware that I must over-use them. O geez. part of my love for accents i’ll try to slow it down.
Jenn said,
September 24, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Yet those same people will type mmmmmmkay?
Jen said,
September 25, 2007 at 8:31 am
Around here people tend to not use “to be” anymore. As in; “my car needs washed”, “the tomatoes need picked”, “the lawn needs mowed”, “your homework needs done”.
I Could scream!
I have wonderful, intelligent, well educated friends who do this! It even came home on a note from my son’s preschool – “we’ll let you know when the cracker supply needs replaced”.
Alex actually once went off on his employees about this telling them that they were never ever to speak that way when speaking to customers. That little talk didn’t go over well. They honestly don’t see the problem. They need smacked!!
Gary said,
September 25, 2007 at 8:34 am
That reminded me of “come with.” Can I come with? No, you can’t.
Gary said,
September 25, 2007 at 8:36 am
On the Ween forum “needs banned” was a funny saying for a while. I think it was a typo that caught on though.
julieluongo said,
September 25, 2007 at 9:37 am
Jen…”They need smacked!!” Hahaha!
Yeah, that’s a western PA / Ohio thing. When I was in college I got into a “to be or not to be” argument with a journalism major. I cited grammar rules and he countered by telling me that his father was a high school English teacher and he said it that way…so, it must be right then, eh?
julieluongo said,
September 25, 2007 at 9:41 am
Oh, and Sarah, you’re extra funny when you bust out the slang because it’s almost never current slang. That’s excellent. You did however say ‘bobble’ for ‘bottle,’ which was wack, yo. Word.
Sarah said,
September 25, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I do try to be funny, but I bet I really do go overboard…your fault because you always find it funny.
Jen said,
September 26, 2007 at 9:49 am
One of my favorite language misuse stories was when Sarah was dating a guy who taught his dog to “lay down”. Alex and I were visiting her and she went OFF about how annoying that was, I completely agreed, and then we moved on to bigger and better things to discuss. So hours later we get in our car to leave and after a few minutes Alex turns to me and says “I just don’t understand why it’s so annoying to teach a dog to lay down. Isn’t that a good thing?”
!!!!!!!!!
Matt Lesoine said,
September 26, 2007 at 2:20 pm
How about when someone says, “Why are you giving me attitude?”
Hey asshole, maybe try calling it “an attitude” and I’ll answer you.
julieluongo said,
September 26, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Haha. Matt, you might be the only person I know who hears that so often it’s become a pet peeve.
julieluongo said,
September 26, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Jen, that story has been making me laugh all day. What a bunch of dorks we are. Women the world round are complaining about how their men aren’t there for them emotionally or that they leave the toilet seat up … we’re grinding our teeth over the misuse of the word “lay.”
Jim said,
September 27, 2007 at 2:31 am
I just really hate it when kids talk with their mouth full…
julieluongo said,
September 27, 2007 at 3:19 pm
It’s better than mango and all the melons in the world.
julieluongo said,
September 27, 2007 at 3:33 pm
For posterity, I’d like to mention that the Wall Street Journal online
linked to this entry.
michael said,
September 27, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I think that video just made my brain explo
MamaPeg is Watching You said,
September 28, 2007 at 7:30 am
They don’t care that they’re stretch-marked and saggy
hmmph?
julieluongo said,
September 28, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Those girls never want to stop breast feeding but the mother claims they won’t breast feed forever. So, let’s see…mother without boundaries + bossy children who claim ownership of Melchior and the little one = Fierce Independence? Hmmm.
Christy said,
October 2, 2007 at 10:32 am
The only word that Jon mispronounced as a child that I found to be endearing was retarded. He always said tetarded – which fit.
julieluongo said,
October 2, 2007 at 10:37 am
Yeah, that’s a good one.