Comments on: ‘Wherefore’ does not mean where

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:18:37 +0000

I’m surprised no one has mentioned “literally” like “I was literally freezing my butt off.” Sounds painful.

By: Nellie Bluth

Nellie Bluth — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:56:02 +0000

I find it interesting that many words and terms in the English language have indeed evolved over time, both in how original definitions have become slightly altered as people change, and in the inclusion of once non-words due to their increasingly popular useage.

However, the term "marriage" must remain intact in its bizarrely limited definition, for reasons known only to the stubborn and ignorant. Or both.

By: Schmetterling

Schmetterling — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:06:07 +0000

Think you got problems?

Sincerely, Edgar Wherefrum

By: Wes

Wes — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:39:43 +0000

I remember writing a bit about “wherefore” several years ago when a big name blogger misused it in that common way. It was the only post I ever wrote that got a significant amount of comments. That scared me, since I didn’t expect people to be reading what nonsense I write.

By: Chris B

Chris B — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:48:26 +0000

My understanding of the word “irregardless” is that it has been accepted as a common word much like “ain’t”. It’s overusage caused the world to relent. But the word in and of itself is, by its very definition, a double-negative.

By: John

John — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:19:49 +0000

@Silvana:

That's a screengrab from Apple's built-in dictionary, which uses the New Oxford American dictionary.

By: Silvana Giacobini

Silvana Giacobini — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:44:58 +0000

John, which dictionary did you scan that entry from?

By: chabuhi

chabuhi — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:33:35 +0000

"Irregardless" is, most lamentably, a real word.

"I could care less" is used incorrectly. Those among us more erudite would say, "I could care less, but I'm not sure how." :)

By: Kristan

Kristan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:38:37 +0000

LOL Patrick Stephens' #7 comment.

Pardon the ignorance, but what's wrong with "begging the question"? I don't use it, but I thought I'd heard it before...

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:59:47 +0000

I have been bristling over this one since sophomore year of high school, when I used to advocate that when casting for a Shakespeare play, everyone should be required to deliver this line. If they put the emphasis on the word “art,” it could be assumed that they did not understand the meaning of the line, and should not be considered for a part.

By: Ranielle

Ranielle — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:49:55 +0000

Grammarphiles unite!