Misuse Folly
Ok folks, this one is interactive. Below are examples of words or phrases people commonly misuse, or that I’ve recently misused and been corrected on. Please add your own. And don’t make me look like an idiot by saying that and then you don’t leave any comments. :)
Recurring vs. Reoccurring - The client has a “recurring monthly payment,” not a “reoccuring monthly payment”. (I was actually corrected on this by a former boss.)
Literally vs. Figuratively - “It was literally a million degrees in the auditorium.” It was figuratively a million degrees, literally maybe 85 or 90.
Unthaw vs. Thaw - “I am going to unthaw the chicken for dinner.” Unless you’re going to freeze it, you’re going to thaw the chicken for dinner. (Major culprit, right here. I was JUST called out on this, and it floored me. I’ve always said unthaw).
Whenever vs. When (My sister is going to kill me, but it’s not a personal attack, I swear! Just regional slang). “Whenever I was at school today, I saw Jane.” “When I was at school today, I saw Jane.”
June 29th, 2005 at 6:48 pm
My brother corrects me on this all the time… it’s a water heater, not a hot water heater.
June 29th, 2005 at 7:06 pm
I can go on for days about this one… My biggest pet peeve is misuse of myself and yourself.
“Make sure you give the booze to Dave and myself”
ME dammit, ME!!! :)
My last boss was a serial misuser of this. I would sit and count how many times he would (mis)use it. He’s one of those guys who tries to sound smarter than he is… You’ve all met that guy.
Another one that I used to get corrected on all the time is ATM Machine. Or PIN number. Used to drive a friend of mine crazy when I said it. I had it shamed out of me. ;)
June 29th, 2005 at 8:08 pm
Ha! I totally say “hot water heater.” Never thought about it. See - this is a LEARNING blog post.
And Chrissy - I had to read that part about ATM Machine and PIN Number about three times befor I realized what was wrong w/ them. I may be slow, but I get there eventually.