There are a few things that bother me about the American language.... there are actually a lot of things that bother me about the American language, but here are five of them.
1. Olderly - This is an old/elderly person.
2. Orientated - The infinitive form of this word is "to orient". The noun form of this verb is an orientation. The past tense of this verb is oriented. There is no past tense form of orientation because it is a noun.
3. "It's always in the last place you look." - Of course it is, because once you find something, you stop looking.
4. Acrossed - I don't know where this comes from regionally. I have heard it all over the US. I have also been guilty of saying it numerous times. I don't even know how this made it into common language, but it has. A little piece of me dies every time I say it.
5. I could borrow that to you - That's not the way this verb works. You can borrow something, but it is not something you can do to someone. You can lend something to someone, or you can borrow something from someone. The words are not interchangeable.
I think the major issue I have with these things (except #3) is that they are the result of lazy language.
I don't want to be too negative about the American language. I really appreciate how it evolves and how words are grafted into the language. Here are some more modern phrases that I like, and I'm sorry if you don't. It's a perspective thing. I know these things are wrong, but I like them anyway.
1. Might could - This is a good ol' southern thing. It is used like so:
"Would you be willing to put the dishes away?"
"I might could after I put the food away."
2. Pretty much almost - This is the list committal way to say something.
"Are you done with the dishes"
"I'm pretty much almost done." (basically means you haven't started)
3. May or may not be - This is a hard one to describe. It is only used when the positive "may" is the only option for what is happening. Here's an example:
"I may or may not be writing a blog right now." I am definitely writing a blog right now.
What are some American language things you've encountered that you like or dislike?
1. Olderly - This is an old/elderly person.
2. Orientated - The infinitive form of this word is "to orient". The noun form of this verb is an orientation. The past tense of this verb is oriented. There is no past tense form of orientation because it is a noun.
3. "It's always in the last place you look." - Of course it is, because once you find something, you stop looking.
4. Acrossed - I don't know where this comes from regionally. I have heard it all over the US. I have also been guilty of saying it numerous times. I don't even know how this made it into common language, but it has. A little piece of me dies every time I say it.
5. I could borrow that to you - That's not the way this verb works. You can borrow something, but it is not something you can do to someone. You can lend something to someone, or you can borrow something from someone. The words are not interchangeable.
I think the major issue I have with these things (except #3) is that they are the result of lazy language.
I don't want to be too negative about the American language. I really appreciate how it evolves and how words are grafted into the language. Here are some more modern phrases that I like, and I'm sorry if you don't. It's a perspective thing. I know these things are wrong, but I like them anyway.
1. Might could - This is a good ol' southern thing. It is used like so:
"Would you be willing to put the dishes away?"
"I might could after I put the food away."
2. Pretty much almost - This is the list committal way to say something.
"Are you done with the dishes"
"I'm pretty much almost done." (basically means you haven't started)
3. May or may not be - This is a hard one to describe. It is only used when the positive "may" is the only option for what is happening. Here's an example:
"I may or may not be writing a blog right now." I am definitely writing a blog right now.
What are some American language things you've encountered that you like or dislike?
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