Thumper
05-12-2016, 08:46 AM
I've been biting my tongue for years and have never once brought this up, but there's something VERY prevalent in every day life that's been driving me up the wall for many years now and a morning newscast just pushed me over the edge. Now mind you, I'm no spelling genius and FAR from a grammar expert, but there are a couple of things that really push my buttons. I'm not talking about using goofy spelling and grammar around here to add "color" to a post. Heck, I'm guilty of throwing around "youse guys", "I ain't got's nuttin'" and similar "enhancements" to my posts, but there are a couple "real-life" mistakes that drive me totally bonkers!
In print, one of the biggies that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck is the misuse of "there" and "their". I'm not talking about typos or occasional accidental usage, but I see it regularly (here even). I read a LOT of overseas blogs and it's EXTREMELY common with the Brits. So common (like EVERYBODY does it) that I'm wondering if they're (or should I say their??) taught differently with their Queen's English. I have no clue, but I VERY, VERY seldom see the word "their" used ... it's seems (with the Brits) the word "there" covers ANY situation. But, that's not what popped my cork this morning.
What drives me up the wall is so common I sometimes feel like throwing my shoe at the TV. I hear it on American Pickers constantly ... a show I love to watch. I hear it a bazillion times on EVERY show ... from Mike: "Me and Frank did this", or "Me and Frank did that". And from Frank: "Me and Mike did this", or "Me and Mike did that." I hear "Me and so-and-so ...." on half the shows I see on tv. I hear it on those stupid housewives shows Lynn watches ... and those people are MILLIONAIRES! I hear it during interviews of prominent people or actors. When did THAT become the norm?
That's the biggie for me. The number two most irritating thing I hear is the misuse of the word "nothing". How many times have you heard the phrase, "I don't know nothing?" Okay, I'd expect to hear it in the ghetto, but G.. Damn It, I hear it constantly from people who should know better! I remember as a kid in school, the word that set me off was the word (?) "ain't". I grew up in the city and every time I heard someone say "ain't", I would cringe and the first thought that popped into my head was "low class".
Okay, right here is where I should apologize to any guilty party(s) here. I'm far from perfect when it comes to grammar and I'm certainly no English major, but some things set me off. One that's always baffled me personally (even after Bucky explained the "rule" to me a few times) is the proper use of "who" and "whom". I THINK I get it right most times, but it's usually a guess and I'll admit I'm basically clueless as to the proper times to use "whom". I'll normally use it if it "sounds right". The point is, I do NOT want to offend anyone here ... it's the last thing I'd want to do. I have my own weaknesses when it comes to grammar.
So, what set me off on this tirade this morning? I just finished watching the local news. A news caster was interviewing a couple in front of their home. It was a large, beautiful home and was in a high-end neighborhood in Orlando. There was a Mercedes in the garage and a Cadillac SUV in the driveway. The couple was well dressed, very clean-cut (white, if it makes a difference), and ... well, there were NO negatives to be seen. During the short interview, the newscaster asked the husband for details about a fire that had occurred and he answered, "I really don't know NOTHING about it ... only what I heard from a neighbor!" That was followed with a statement by the wife ... something along the line of, "I never heard NOTHING about it until I saw it on the news." WTF??? WTF??? WTF??? WTF??????????????
Then I was pushed totally over the edge by the very next news story. It was a SCHOOL TEACHER being interviewed. (Did you catch that? SCHOOL TEACHER!) I can't even remember what the story was about, all I remember is her answering a question the reporter had asked. Her response started out as, "Well, ME and my assistant gathered the kids together and walked them out to the playground ....!" ARRRGGGHHHH! I had to walk away from the tv! WTF is happening to our educational system?
Again, I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes here. I may regret making this post and I'm sure I'll catch hell from some of you bozos. I'm sure there are plenty of grammar mistakes in this post that may be pointed out, but this stuff seriously grates on my nerves ... mostly when it comes from people who really should know better.
In print, one of the biggies that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck is the misuse of "there" and "their". I'm not talking about typos or occasional accidental usage, but I see it regularly (here even). I read a LOT of overseas blogs and it's EXTREMELY common with the Brits. So common (like EVERYBODY does it) that I'm wondering if they're (or should I say their??) taught differently with their Queen's English. I have no clue, but I VERY, VERY seldom see the word "their" used ... it's seems (with the Brits) the word "there" covers ANY situation. But, that's not what popped my cork this morning.
What drives me up the wall is so common I sometimes feel like throwing my shoe at the TV. I hear it on American Pickers constantly ... a show I love to watch. I hear it a bazillion times on EVERY show ... from Mike: "Me and Frank did this", or "Me and Frank did that". And from Frank: "Me and Mike did this", or "Me and Mike did that." I hear "Me and so-and-so ...." on half the shows I see on tv. I hear it on those stupid housewives shows Lynn watches ... and those people are MILLIONAIRES! I hear it during interviews of prominent people or actors. When did THAT become the norm?
That's the biggie for me. The number two most irritating thing I hear is the misuse of the word "nothing". How many times have you heard the phrase, "I don't know nothing?" Okay, I'd expect to hear it in the ghetto, but G.. Damn It, I hear it constantly from people who should know better! I remember as a kid in school, the word that set me off was the word (?) "ain't". I grew up in the city and every time I heard someone say "ain't", I would cringe and the first thought that popped into my head was "low class".
Okay, right here is where I should apologize to any guilty party(s) here. I'm far from perfect when it comes to grammar and I'm certainly no English major, but some things set me off. One that's always baffled me personally (even after Bucky explained the "rule" to me a few times) is the proper use of "who" and "whom". I THINK I get it right most times, but it's usually a guess and I'll admit I'm basically clueless as to the proper times to use "whom". I'll normally use it if it "sounds right". The point is, I do NOT want to offend anyone here ... it's the last thing I'd want to do. I have my own weaknesses when it comes to grammar.
So, what set me off on this tirade this morning? I just finished watching the local news. A news caster was interviewing a couple in front of their home. It was a large, beautiful home and was in a high-end neighborhood in Orlando. There was a Mercedes in the garage and a Cadillac SUV in the driveway. The couple was well dressed, very clean-cut (white, if it makes a difference), and ... well, there were NO negatives to be seen. During the short interview, the newscaster asked the husband for details about a fire that had occurred and he answered, "I really don't know NOTHING about it ... only what I heard from a neighbor!" That was followed with a statement by the wife ... something along the line of, "I never heard NOTHING about it until I saw it on the news." WTF??? WTF??? WTF??? WTF??????????????
Then I was pushed totally over the edge by the very next news story. It was a SCHOOL TEACHER being interviewed. (Did you catch that? SCHOOL TEACHER!) I can't even remember what the story was about, all I remember is her answering a question the reporter had asked. Her response started out as, "Well, ME and my assistant gathered the kids together and walked them out to the playground ....!" ARRRGGGHHHH! I had to walk away from the tv! WTF is happening to our educational system?
Again, I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes here. I may regret making this post and I'm sure I'll catch hell from some of you bozos. I'm sure there are plenty of grammar mistakes in this post that may be pointed out, but this stuff seriously grates on my nerves ... mostly when it comes from people who really should know better.