Author Topic: New column-type thingy (Read 111448 times)

Jonathon · « **Reply #125 on:** September 08, 2008, 01:41:10 PM »

Really? What part? (Or is this a joke I'm missing?)

Noemon · « **Reply #126 on:** September 08, 2008, 01:51:01 PM »

Nope, not a joke. When the x-wings are doing their run on the trench, one of the pilots describes his shot as having "impacted on the surface". I learned the word from that scene, and whenever I hear the word I see a flash of the scene in my mind's eye.

Jonathon · « **Reply #127 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:37:03 PM »

Ah, right. I couldn't remember where that word appeared in the movie.

Jonathon · « **Reply #128 on:** January 27, 2009, 09:42:34 PM »

Hyperliteral goodness! Or perhaps just plain old literal goodness.

Zalmoxis · « **Reply #129 on:** January 28, 2009, 09:14:03 AM »

Good column. And useful too since I am considering doing the HR block free e-file. Now I know which button to click.

Jonathon · « **Reply #130 on:** March 10, 2009, 11:24:13 PM »

In which I bash National Grammar Day.

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #131 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:11:58 AM »

Bash 'em again!

Brinestone · « **Reply #132 on:** March 11, 2009, 10:29:22 AM »

Martha Brockenbrough annoys me on a fairly regular basis.

Jonathon · « **Reply #133 on:** March 24, 2010, 09:02:49 PM »

Look! At long last, a new post on Arrant Pedantry!

rivka · « **Reply #134 on:** March 24, 2010, 09:20:12 PM »

*ponders*

Scott R · « **Reply #135 on:** March 25, 2010, 04:38:56 AM »

That's very well-written, Jonathon. I enjoyed it quite a bit, despite being a little less than interested in the topic.

You made me more interested in the topic...so good job.

Jonathon · « **Reply #136 on:** March 25, 2010, 09:13:53 AM »

Rivka: Are you pondering what I'm pondering?

Scott: Thanks.

rivka · « **Reply #137 on:** March 25, 2010, 09:29:59 AM »

Quote

Rivka: Are you pondering what I'm pondering?

Yes, but if our knees bent the other way, how would we ride a bicycle?

Jonathon · « **Reply #138 on:** March 25, 2010, 10:04:54 AM »

pooka · « **Reply #139 on:** March 25, 2010, 05:59:49 PM »

My mom was fond of debunkery, so I have swung the other way toward being a prescriptivist. I'm certain that's the source of 90% of my tendency. I can break out the descriptivist saw when it suits me. Why else would I have put 4 years of higher education into linguistics?

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #140 on:** March 25, 2010, 06:06:57 PM »

My mom was fond of escarole and professional tennis. She's coming to Passover Seder this year, and I think I'll surprise her by putting escarole in the matzah ball soup. It would be a real surprise, though, if I put tennis balls in the matzah ball soup.

Brinestone · « **Reply #141 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:10:15 PM »

I can't figure out how Tante's post is related, but I also can't stop giggling about it. Go figure.

Jonathon · « **Reply #142 on:** May 12, 2010, 09:13:45 PM »

Why can't you say "10:30 o'clock"? Discuss.

rivka · « **Reply #143 on:** May 12, 2010, 09:25:58 PM »

See, the advantage of being a prescriptivist is that the "why" is rather besides the point.

Because it's WRONG, darnit! That's why!

Porter · « **Reply #144 on:** May 12, 2010, 09:51:23 PM »

Why is it wrong?

rivka · « **Reply #145 on:** May 12, 2010, 10:17:58 PM »

See rule 1.

Scott R · « **Reply #146 on:** May 13, 2010, 06:07:04 AM »

Well, we don't talk about Fight Club.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #147 on:** May 13, 2010, 08:18:46 AM »

Quote

Why can't you say "10:30 o'clock"? Discuss.

Discuss here or there? I discussed there. But no one else is discussing.

Jonathon · « **Reply #148 on:** May 13, 2010, 09:13:14 AM »

Quote

See, the advantage of being a prescriptivist is that the "why" is rather besides the point.

Because it's WRONG, darnit! That's why!

And this is my single biggest problem with the standard prescriptive approach to language: it all boils down to a bunch of ipse dixits.

Jonathon · « **Reply #149 on:** May 13, 2010, 09:18:09 AM »

Quote

Discuss here or there? I discussed there. But no one else is discussing.

Either. Both. C'est tout le même.