Things People Say That Drive Me Nuts
January 16, 2006 - Musings - Rant
I'm talking about when stupid people thoughtlessly mangle cliche phrases. I'm not just talking about double negatives. I don't mean when people confuse you're and your or who's and whose. I'm talking about seriously mangled phrases. Let me give you a couple examples.
"For some apparent reason"
I don't get it. If the reason is apparent, why not state it? Aack!
"For all intensive purposes"
You may not even believe that people actually use this mangled expression. Please allow me to prove you wrong. What is this supposed to mean?
I want to write a program to search for all instances of these phrases and email the users to let them know that they're idiots.
Comments on Things People Say That Drive Me Nuts
Comment Fri, January 20 - 10:11 AM by Sadie
the phrase is actually 'for all intents and purposes' not for all intensive purposes.
Comment Fri, January 20 - 12:08 PM by Sadie
Also, its 'for NO apparent reason.'perhaps you should make sure your phrasing is correct before you begin to hate it.
Comment Fri, January 20 - 12:25 PM by Greg
I don't think you understand. The whole reason I hate the phrases is because they're being mangled. Having to explain like this kind of ruins it all, but apparently not everyone can read between the lines.
So to restate what I wrote in the original post, I hate when people say "For some apparent reason" instead of "For no apparent reason", and I hate when people say "For all intensive purposes" instead of "For all intents and purposes". People who say these things mishear a phrase and use mangled versions because it's what they thought they heard.
Understand now?
So to restate what I wrote in the original post, I hate when people say "For some apparent reason" instead of "For no apparent reason", and I hate when people say "For all intensive purposes" instead of "For all intents and purposes". People who say these things mishear a phrase and use mangled versions because it's what they thought they heard.
Understand now?
Comment Tue, January 17 - 4:35 PM by Bitter Rindle
Hmmm, here are words I hate
Never, always and forever are lying words which regularly reach beyond sincerity when expressed regarding a finite concept. They reek dissonance in me when I hear them and they elicit loathing when I read them, especially when tied to a fictitious romantic cliché. The majority of the population which serves such ipecac is blissfully ignorant of the fallacies they are generating, yet amazingly surprised when their aspirations fail to come to fruition. All others who use such profanities are simply seeking profit from the hordes of daydreamers who build their foundations with this soft clay.
Never, always and forever are lying words which regularly reach beyond sincerity when expressed regarding a finite concept. They reek dissonance in me when I hear them and they elicit loathing when I read them, especially when tied to a fictitious romantic cliché. The majority of the population which serves such ipecac is blissfully ignorant of the fallacies they are generating, yet amazingly surprised when their aspirations fail to come to fruition. All others who use such profanities are simply seeking profit from the hordes of daydreamers who build their foundations with this soft clay.
Comment Mon, January 16 - 4:25 PM by Ryan
Isn't the correct phrase 'for all intent and purposes'? I think people are trying to use a phrase they heard not realizing they are repeating it incorrectly.
People are stupid...and if you don't know that, it means you are one of them....hehe
People are stupid...and if you don't know that, it means you are one of them....hehe
Comment Mon, January 16 - 5:35 PM by Greg
Exactly. It should be "For all intents and purposes". I suppose I should have expounded in my initial post.
Comment Tue, January 17 - 11:13 AM by Marc
"For all intents and purposes" is the real phrase?
I was convinced it was "for all indented porpoises." The phrase never made much sense to me though.
Your version is WAY better. :)
How do you feel about "irregardless?" For all indented porpoises, that word drives me nuts.
I was convinced it was "for all indented porpoises." The phrase never made much sense to me though.
Your version is WAY better. :)
How do you feel about "irregardless?" For all indented porpoises, that word drives me nuts.
Comment Tue, January 17 - 11:23 AM by Greg
Hey Marc! What's up!?
Irregardless is one of those non-words which will become an actual word because it's used, even though it was originally WRONG. Kind of like the word ain't.
Irregardless is one of those non-words which will become an actual word because it's used, even though it was originally WRONG. Kind of like the word ain't.
Comment Mon, February 6 - 10:35 AM by Greg
Tagger - Exactly. That's one I would have included if I'd thought of it.
"I could care less"