Why can't we talk English

by crisp Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:53 pm

In a pub having my Sunday lunch when a young lady starts asking the barman for her drink.
" Can I get a coke?'
My answer would be "No you can't; I can serve you a coke but you cannot get it its my job"
Is this yet another import from across the water? And should I get quite so cross about it?

by groundhog Fri Apr 29, 2016 1:26 pm

Yes I think you should, mind you as someone who has a home in Canada it is no better over there!

"I'll take a decaff cappuccino"

No, you can damned well pay for it!

by Paulmold Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:03 pm

Has anyone noticed the word 'twice' has disappeared from our language. Adverts are always saying 'two times as much' or 'lasts two times longer' instead of 'twice as much' and 'twice as long'. The word 'thrice' has long gone as well.

by dbroada Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:12 pm

Paulmold wrote:Has anyone noticed the word 'twice' has disappeared from our language. Adverts are always saying 'two times as much' or 'lasts two times longer' instead of 'twice as much' and 'twice as long'. The word 'thrice' has long gone as well.

Don't get me started on advert speak! What does "up to 50% or more" mean? And how is "two shades whiter" measured?

by steamdrivenandy Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:15 pm

And when did the word 'edit' become so popular. As far as I know the word means something like 'to review and alter' but now it seems every magazine, newspaper, website and shop has an 'edit'. I'd be obliged if someone could explain what it actually means in such contexts? And please don't start the explanation with 'so'.

by boxerman Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:43 pm

dbroada wrote:
Don't get me started on advert speak! What does "up to 50% or more" mean? And how is "two shades whiter" measured?

When I was working, one of the salesmen told a customer that we could match the colour of his existing flooring to within 15%. Trouble was, none of the chemists could work out what 15% of light grey was?

Frank

by crisp Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:46 pm

So edit stands for "English Died Its True" Why can't we talk English 1819939118

by crisp Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:49 pm

And yes I did realise I started with so and used its!
But I am beginning to think anything is now acceptable to 50% of those questioned in a recent survey. ( of two people)

by dbroada Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:22 pm

crisp wrote:... to 50% of those questioned in a recent survey. ( of two people)

I love those beauty treatments adverts that state (something like) "86% of women say ... (from a sample of 8)"

and another thing......

Facebook click bait posts that say "Only 86% could do this". ONLY and a number greater than 50% don't belong together.

by Greyhound Fri Apr 29, 2016 5:26 pm

Language evolves, for the better of worse.

It's a result of our success at getting English across the globe and is a product of our own making.

Since many countries use English as a first or second language these days to do business it gets twisted into their version. This eventually finds it's way back.

I work in a "RoW" (rest of world) team in the company so am used to the different forms and just get used to it, don't I bruv innit like.....

by groundhog Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:57 pm

I worked in West Africa (Benin,Togo etc), the residents in that part of the World are incapable of saying ASK.... it becomes "Daveed, I AXE you"..... mind you they nearly did but that is another story! rolleyes

by Gram Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:06 pm

...... and the plural of 'this one', 'these ones' - really?

G

by steamdrivenandy Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:25 pm

I've known several people who just can't pronounce 'specific' and end up saying 'pacific' instead.

by Mike187 Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:34 pm

Wouldn't it be be boring if we all spoke the same though. We be bemoan the loss of dialects and colloquialisms but are reluctant to accept new worlds or uses of words.

I was born in 'ull (sorry Hull but we are known for dropping "h" from words) and didn't realise I had much of an accent until my stepdaughter (who was not born here) kept pointing out price tags in shops for £9.99 and asking how much is that just so she could hear me say "narn narty narn".

For other 'ull speck see this http://www.greengates.karoo.net/hull/speak.html

But I do hate when people start an explanation with "So"

And as for the difference between lunch, dinner and tea!!

Mike

by Heanorboy Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:48 pm

Ok so SO is bad enough but for me is when during an interview they say "yer know" in ever sentence

by Askit Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:49 am

I

Mike187 wrote:Wouldn't it be be boring if we all spoke the same though. We be bemoan the loss of dialects and colloquialisms but are reluctant to accept new worlds or uses of words.

Mike

I have no problem with the predominance of local accents in the regions of the UK, or their idioms. Having been born and brought up in Glasgow, I, of course, speak without any Whistle1

The constant misuse of words or phrases does irritate one somewhat biggrin

People who say "mute point" instead of "moot point" for instance and my current favourite (that always gets me censored!

at the telly), folk who do something new and say, "it was a learning curve". No it wasn't, it was a learning experience bow

I'm off to wash my string vest and head bandage lol4

by boxerman Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:09 am

Askit wrote:I'm off to wash my string vest and head bandage

That'll be a first then? hugegrins

Frank

by crisp Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:45 am

I fink you are all right, ja know what I mean?

by dbroada Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:34 am

another of my pet hates is "could of", especially when I see it written.

by steamdrivenandy Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:47 am

dbroada wrote:another of my pet hates is "could of", especially when I see it written.

What annoys me about that is those who use it don't even seem to realise that the shortened form 'could've' actually has clues as to how it is constructed in the letters used. It really shows up a lack of basic education in English language.

by dbroada Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:59 am

steamdrivenandy wrote:
dbroada wrote:another of my pet hates is "could of", especially when I see it written.

What annoys me about that is those who use it don't even seem to realise that the shortened form 'could've' actually has clues as to how it is constructed in the letters used. It really shows up a lack of basic education in English language.

yes, "he could of stopped that goal" - REALLY? No idea that "he could have" is more appropriate.

by Askit Sat Apr 30, 2016 12:50 pm

boxerman wrote:
Askit wrote:I'm off to wash my string vest and head bandage
That'll be a first then?

Frank

Oh, do you get my drift content

They get it once a year(ish), whether they need it or not agree3

by willy eckerslike Sun May 01, 2016 7:56 pm

Definately is my pet hate but it's not politically correct to point out spelling mistakes these days. Maybe it's the way posh people say it, like ebsolootely !!

by Gromit Sun May 01, 2016 9:05 pm

"Nucular" weapons make me want to explode!

Nearly as bad as the government wanting 70% of all school pupils to be average or above. A completely erroneous "stastistic"!

by Charliefarlie Mon May 02, 2016 6:59 am

steamdrivenandy wrote:I've known several people who just can't pronounce 'specific' and end up saying 'pacific' instead.

Crinimal that is ............ up!

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