Stupid Thoughts, Poor Grammar, and Sophomoric* Statements

*sophomoric • \sahf-MOR-ik\ • adjective: conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature. From a combination of the Greek word "sophos" (meaning "wise") and "moros" (meaning "foolish").
[Source: Merriam-Webster Online]

1. 
   ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
   It's "Schwarz-en-egger" not "Schwartz-nehger." Arnold may call his adopted State Kal-ee-fornya, but most in the press corps don't even attempt to properly pronounce his name!
   
2. "THE EXACT SAME . . ."
   Does this redundancy sound familiar? Do advertising executives always target the lowest common denominator?
   Yup. ur concidert to have a pritty low IQ: sumwar 'tween 80 and 90*, I spôz.
   (*a ranking known as "Dull Normal")
   
3. "ASSEPTABLE . . ."
   Cockney Jo Frost on the ABC reality TV show "Super Nanny" incessantly uses this word throughout the hour long program!
   Sure she's British; but gad, her favorite word* is (at least in Americanized English) pronounced "ak-sep-ta-bl." (*acceptable - gad)
   
4. ASSESSABLE
   "If you can reach it, you may have it because I made it 'assessable' to you." Similar problem: it is pronounced "ak-sess-é-bl." (double gad)
   
5. "I'LL TRY AND FIND."
   Heard that before? Trying to find is substantially different from finding. Perhaps some media darlings would have done better had they paid attention during their English grammar classes. They need to "try to find" the time to learn the basics of their craft.
   
6. "THE TOWN WAS NEARLY DECIMATED."
   How often have you heard that used as a way to say people were nearly wiped out, when in fact, it means "one of every ten" people was eliminated. (From the Latin, decimare: "removal or destruction of one-tenth." See Online Etymology Dictionary)
   
7. TOURING WITHOUT AN OAR IN THE WATER . . .
   "We're taking a 'toar' of Europe." Where the hec did they come up with that?! It is a too-er. Perhaps some Gen-X's believed it made them sound more worldly.
   
8. JOUSTING WITH RIP TORN
   "The 'tornament' was won by . . ." What was torn? hmmm. too-er-na-ment (See above.)
   
9. PRESCRIPTION VS. PERSCRIPTION
   "The most widely sold 'perscription' medication on the market." Oh, my: You are, in fact, prescribed (emphasis on "pre") medication by a physician. However, this mispronunciation is as wide spread as the the black death.
   
10. POORLY THOUGHT THROUGH
    "Eating organic food is healthier because it doesn't contain chemicals."
    However, we live much longer now: even with chemicals in our food. (Of course, we get the benefit of salmonella and other bacteria with the organic food.) For this, and similar inconsistencies, see John Stossel's book, "Give me a break." HarperCollins - ISBN: 0060529148
    
11. FOOD FOR THINKING BEFORE SPEAKING
    "The part was 'mannafactured' in Belgium." Certainly, food can be made by hand . . . Duh. In the Book of Exodus manna is compared to coriander seed and described as fine, white, and flaky, with the taste of honey and wafer. However, the word most are intending to use is pronounced man-u-fac-teur-d. (Latin manu factura "making by hand"; from manus "hand" + factura "making", from facere "make".)

"Why poor grammar ain't so bad." Article by BBC News Online's Ryan Dilley.
Page Visitors since July 2006

©2005 Kirk P. Williams