Writing English.

[Doug]

On 11/23/2013 07:21 PM, Bill Oliver wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Nov 2013, Rolf Turner wrote:
> 
>> On 11/24/13 09:30, Robert Holtzman wrote:
>>>  On Sat, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:29:19AM +1300, Rolf Turner wrote:
>>
>>     <SNIP>
>>>>
>>>>       But wrong nevertheless.  It conflates two quite distinct ideas, 
>>>>       blurs
>>>>       the meaning and diminishes the language.
>>>  Another English major heard from.
>>    Actually not true.  Maths honours, Ph.D. maths, M. Stat.  But what is 
>> your point?
>>>  I assume you're aware that languages evolve over time in accordance with
>>>  common usage.
>>
>>    This is such a tired and tiresome old cliche that it is not worth 
>> responding to.
>>    Read what I wrote and think, rather than glibly reacting with smug 
>> conformism.
>>
>>    cheers,
>>
>>    Rolf Turner
>>
> 
> I think the problem is that you are under the mistaken impression that most of us who find this so funny are people who speak English.  We don't.  We speak American, a related but very different thing.   Hell, I don't even speak Yankee.
> 
> The last time someone said "whilst" to me, I thought he had a cold and offered him a hankie.
> 
> I well remember a friend of mine from London coming to visit me at the ranch.  After the initial pleasantries, my father whispered to my aunt, "What the hell that boy sayin'?  Don't get a damn thing coming outta his mouth."  My aunt whispered back "Don't matter none.  He's Little Bill's friend.  Just smile."
> 
> The difference between "alternate" and "alternative" is a drop in the freaking bucket.  You might as well be bitching that we misspell "colour."
> 
> It's not that you are wrong about English usage.  You are wrong about American usage.  And we just don't care -- but we find it hilarious that someone would.
> 
> Listen to this guy talk (he's from Tupelo, Missisipi) and imagine telling this guy that he's using the word "alternate" incorrectly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS98llpw1L4
> 
> (BTW, this is the fight he was talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2H-7NIC2qI )
> 
> billo
> 
I was really getting tired of this thread, but you have finally pulled it out, Bill. Thnx!

--doug

-- 
Blessed are the peacemakers..for they shall be shot at from both sides. --A.M.Greeley