1. "It's not that big OF a deal." I don't mean the sentiment, I mean that OF in there. I see this construction in print all the time now. I suppose requesting to lose the "of" is futile, but, well, it is "that big a deal" to me.
2. "Orientated," unless you're British or Canadian. We U.S. of A-ers should be saying "oriented."
3. "Jew-ler-y," same disclaimer (British/Canadian spelling is jewellery). It's JEW-el-ry.
4. "New-kew-ler" as a pronunciation for "nuclear." Please, say "new-KLEE-er."
5. "REE-lit-ter" as a pronunciation for "Realtor" (which is also, unless things have changed, supposed to be capitalized). Say "REE-ul-ter."
6. Should of, would of, could of. Nope, it's should have, would have, could have. Despite what the pronunciation of contractions such as should've and shoulda would lead us to believe.
7. "In so." Strictly a regionalism (I think), this phrase occurs in remarks such as "Great weather we're having, in so?" or "Please turn out the lights when you leave, in so?" It's an expression asking for agreement and I suspect it's a short form of "isn't that so?" During my childhood, my dad pointed it out to me as a local expression that wasn't standard English ("It's not for educated people," is what he meant, but he was very kind about getting this across) and I dropped it from my vocabulary like a hot potato. Thanks, Dad. :)
What did I miss? If you're longing for a chance to play "language police," go to it. :D
9 comments:
I've never heard that last one, in so. As for nuclear, my dad was once been involved with bomb tests, so I grew knowing how to pronounce it.
I've been whispering 'new-klee-ur' / 'new-kew-lur' to myself -- which one do I say? I'd almost swear I said the former, but maybe I'm in denial?
Superfluous 'ofs' drive me wild too, but I'll bet I've put in a few in my time, especially when I'm tired. 'Realtor' is spelled with an E in the U.K.; I learned that the hard way when I proudly typed it with an O on a letter, while working as a legal typist here, and received it back with an angry red X through it and a look that I read as 'I thought you said you could spell!' And I had no idea it was supposed to be capitalized!
My language policing has paid off: my kids roll their eyes when people use 'their' for 'there' or 'I' for 'me'. I could kiss them! (my kids, that is -- not the offenders).
And congratulations on the well deserved award!
Oh, wow, we have a lot of the same pet peeves. I correct my husband all the time for writing "should of". Ugh! That one really bugs me.
Bish -- "in so" may be an Eastern Wisconsinism; but if it's a literal translation of a German expression, it could be wider spread.
Mary and Kelly -- I should add an eighth point or maybe change the 7th to "Him and I" or "Her and her mom." This usage is SO widespread that I honestly don't think a lot of people know it's wrong.
LOL, I didn't realize I pronounced so many words the English way. I guess you can take the girl out of England, but you can't take England out of the girl. :)
Congratulations on the award, Marcia!
Irregardless.
Makes every cell in my body cringe.
Congrats on the award!
Sharon -- Oh, DON'T take England out of the girl. I love English accents. :)
Anne -- Yes, totally cringe-worthy. I have to say, though, I don't actually hear irregardless that often anymore. Maybe people are learning?
The word "orientated" has always bothered me, it just doesn't seem to belong. It's interesting to hear that Brits and Canadians use it, so that must be why we're starting to pick it up.
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