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Please can we not use...
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RailUK Forums
Ideally the word shouldn't be in use!
Granted it has been around for sometime, however it is improper, informal and unnecessary. The prefix 'ir' merely duplicates the suffix 'less' thereby creating a double negative.
We wouldn't stand for bad numeracy or science, why should we stand for bad English?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'd like to point out as well, that on a site such as this that occurs in google searches and is widely used for ticketing disputes, that others may well have jumped upon the same boat.
Granted it has been around for sometime, however it is improper, informal and unnecessary. The prefix 'ir' merely duplicates the suffix 'less' thereby creating a double negative.
We wouldn't stand for bad numeracy or science, why should we stand for bad English?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'd like to point out as well, that on a site such as this that occurs in google searches and is widely used for ticketing disputes, that others may well have jumped upon the same boat.
ExRes
Established Member
I'd be far more worried by the number of people who can't spell basic words actually, the number of times I've seen the word 'lose' written as 'loose' is utterly amazing
I'm told I'm nothing more than a miserable Victor Meldrew, but the standard of spelling in general these days is appalling, spellcheck does wonders but only saves people from putting themselves out to actually learn anything, grammar will never begin to be understood unless people can spell
I'm told I'm nothing more than a miserable Victor Meldrew, but the standard of spelling in general these days is appalling, spellcheck does wonders but only saves people from putting themselves out to actually learn anything, grammar will never begin to be understood unless people can spell
ac6000cw
Established Member
I agree - while the rise of email and online forums has dramatically increased the general use of written communications (it wasn't so long ago that people were worried that phones were killing off writing....), I do wonder how many teachers crack down on bad spelling these days in schools.
'Disbenefit' is one word that always gets me annoyed - yuk!
I also agree!
PaxVobiscum
Established Member
My wife has started calling me Victor...
If there is to a continuation of discussion of non-existent words, can I suggest that 'plug-socket' (with or without the hyphen) be strongly discouraged. 'Socket outlet' is much to be preferred, but at least we are not plagued on this forum by the expression 'plug top' which seems, mercifully, to be in decline. Is it too much to hope that some at least of those who were in the habit of using the latter have been electrocuted through their ignorance of correct practice and terminology?
ExRes
Established Member
My wife has started calling me Victor...
If there is to a continuation of discussion of non-existent words, can I suggest that 'plug-socket' (with or without the hyphen) be strongly discouraged. 'Socket outlet' is much to be preferred, but at least we are not plagued on this forum by the expression 'plug top' which seems, mercifully, to be in decline. Is it too much to hope that some at least of those who were in the habit of using the latter have been electrocuted through their ignorance of correct practice and terminology?
A truly wonderful solution PaxVictor, would it not be against their human rights though ?
:roll:
Diplodicus
Member
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- 214
... and don't get me started on "PRE"
I still fume over PREbook!!
I still fume over PREbook!!
ac6000cw
Established Member
My wife has started calling me Victor...
If there is to a continuation of discussion of non-existent words, can I suggest that 'plug-socket' (with or without the hyphen) be strongly discouraged. 'Socket outlet' is much to be preferred, but at least we are not plagued on this forum by the expression 'plug top' which seems, mercifully, to be in decline. Is it too much to hope that some at least of those who were in the habit of using the latter have been electrocuted through their ignorance of correct practice and terminology?
And as for using 'wall-wart' as the description for a common style of charging device....'lump-in-the-cord' (for the other common style) is at least fairly descriptive, if lacking in elegance
PaxVobiscum
Established Member
The current (
) correct usage of 'Electrocution' includes accidental death caused by electric shock as well as judicial execution.Funny you should take me up on that one as I have recently complained about an ITV news headline which included the words "electrocuted to death". I think we might agree about how correct that usage is.
And as for using 'wall-wart' as the description for a common style of charging device....'lump-in-the-cord' (for the other common style) is at least fairly descriptive, if lacking in elegance
Wall-wart for plug-mounted AC-DC adapters.
"Brick" for laptop styles with the AC-DC mid-cord,
muddythefish
On Moderation
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- 13 May 2014
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- 1,581
Me too. How can you book before you book ?
Another gem inherited from our US cousins I suspect.
EM2
Established Member
I don't see why this is such an issue.
Language evolves and words change their meaning over time, this has always happened.
Language evolves and words change their meaning over time, this has always happened.
See above. Gramatical errors such as using the wrong 'there' or 'their' I can see the point of correcting as they are wrong. But clamping down on the use of 'irregardless' because it's a 'paradox'? Seems silly to me. Everyone clearly understands what the word means...
LexyBoy
Established Member
Misunderestimate is a perfectly cromulent word and one which I have taken to using quite a lot. It emphasises the negative outcome in a way that underestimate does not:
"Acme underestimated the popularity of the grill-o-matic 2000"
"I misunderestimated the danger of juggling six anvils whilst on a high wire"
Truthishly I have no idea what it means but it sounds like it would have some specific meaning in philosophy.
Refute is one which annoys me, only because I know the "original" meaning.
"Acme underestimated the popularity of the grill-o-matic 2000"
"I misunderestimated the danger of juggling six anvils whilst on a high wire"
Truthishly I have no idea what it means but it sounds like it would have some specific meaning in philosophy.
Refute is one which annoys me, only because I know the "original" meaning.
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ac6000cw
Established Member
...Because language is a living thing, and has been evolving for thousands of years.
I'm sure if you were to speak to a Victorian, they woud think your pattern and manner of speach to be horribly vulgar and incorrect.
One has to be very arrogant, I think, to believe that the way you speak and write is the only correct way. Things move on, they may be better or worse, but that's only opinion.
Spelling errors (loose vs. lose) are one thing, but words you don't agree with and sentence structure you don't like is quite another.
ac6000cw
Established Member
It's important in everyday life to be able to communicate clearly and concisely - spelling, grammar and sentence construction are part of that.
Yes, language does evolve - just think about the new terms that have entered the language recently to provide more concise descriptions of common activities like 'Googling' and 'texting', for example. But there is not much excuse for inventing long, complicated words (with double-negatives in some cases), when there are long established simple alternatives that could be used and are widely understood.
I know some people have problems like dyslexia to deal with, but I suspect sometimes it's just laziness - instead of re-thinking a sentence, they invent a new word to fit in the hole they've just dug for themselves.
Yes, language does evolve - just think about the new terms that have entered the language recently to provide more concise descriptions of common activities like 'Googling' and 'texting', for example. But there is not much excuse for inventing long, complicated words (with double-negatives in some cases), when there are long established simple alternatives that could be used and are widely understood.
I know some people have problems like dyslexia to deal with, but I suspect sometimes it's just laziness - instead of re-thinking a sentence, they invent a new word to fit in the hole they've just dug for themselves.
Dyslexia has many forms, one of which is a "get-out-of-grammar-free" card. I have Dyslexia, but have learnt many languages and am now a programmer by profession.
Grammar, syntax and semantics are very important to me. It irks me to see languages abused by those who don't understand or don't care how they work.
Grammar, syntax and semantics are very important to me. It irks me to see languages abused by those who don't understand or don't care how they work.
Seacook
Member
I think it is slightly more prevalent than "would of" or "could of" which are just as bad.
When it comes to changing the meaning of words, it is not always true that the new meaning is universally understood. When I was a lad "inflammable" was the opposite of "non-inflammable", not of "flammable"..
Railsigns
Established Member
- Joined
- 15 Feb 2010
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- 2,754
A surprising number of people have trouble using punctuation correctly. An example of poor punctuation is using a comma to separate one sentence from the next, as opposed to ending each sentence with a full stop. Do you happen to know anyone who does this?
Seacook
Member
There are entirely too many people who think that exclamation marks and question marks can only be used in clusters.
Railsigns
Established Member
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Really!!!??? <g>
Or, equally annoying, a news article I read recently where someone was described as , "... in a stable condition after being electrocuted."
Well, I suppose death is a fairly stable condition but I don't think that's what the article writer meant. It should have been "... in a stable condition following a severe electric shock."
'Electrocuted' is one of those portmanteaux that is often misused and/or misunderstood. I particularly like the following webpage which gives advice on how to treat 'minor electrocution':
http://www.firstaidweb.com/electrocution.html
:roll:
edwin_m
Veteran Member
"Pre-book" seems to me less annoying than "Advanced Booking", which should mean booking by means of tablets, smartphones or other advanced technology. "Advance Booking" would be the correct term I think.
Another irritation for me is "everyday" instead of "every day". A local pub has a sign "food served everyday", which actually describes their food quite well.
Another irritation for me is "everyday" instead of "every day". A local pub has a sign "food served everyday", which actually describes their food quite well.
Railsigns
Established Member
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That reminds me of all those "Advanced Warning Indicators" on the railway I keep reading about, which appear to comprise little more than a triangular piece of aluminium attached to a pole.
ExRes
Established Member
The current (
Funny you should take me up on that one as I have recently complained about an ITV news headline which included the words "electrocuted to death". I think we might agree about how correct that usage is.
I hope you didn't think that I was taking you up in a negative way Pax, perhaps I should have used a
rather than a :roll:- Status