Author Topic: Word and phrase misuse (Read 22364 times)

Ela · « **on:** February 13, 2012, 09:48:38 AM »

It drives me up the wall when I read an article - especially one in a publication that has presumably been edited, and I see stuff like this, from an article on infection control and handwashing:

Quote

After pouring over infection control materials...

It's "poring" not "pouring"!

Another one that drives me crazy - and that I have to power to edit but haven't gotten around to yet - is this, in an article on using internet sources and critical reading:

Quote

Does it "pass the mustard" when it's read critically?

I'm pretty sure they meant either "pass muster" or "cut the mustard." I personally prefer the former.

Along those lines, this was amusing.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2012, 10:15:43 AM »

I don't have many phrases that I get wrong, but cut the mustard and pass muster are two I sometimes (edit) incorrectly combine.

Ela · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2012, 12:02:48 PM »

All I can say is "pass the mustard" gives me the hankering for a good hotdog.

Jonathon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2012, 12:05:35 PM »

Quote from: BlackBlade on February 13, 2012, 10:15:43 AM

I don't have many phrases that I get wrong, but cut the mustard and pass muster are two I sometimes juxtapose.

You, uh, might have just misused "juxtapose."

BlackBlade · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2012, 12:19:38 PM »

Partially juxtapose. Is that better?

edit: Oh whatever, I don't even care anymore. Post edited.

Jonathon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2012, 12:42:57 PM »

Sorry, Taylor. It just struck me as a funny sort of corollary to Muphry's Law.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:45:43 PM »

My hair remains ruffled, so I'm getting out of the kitchen, since I'm getting cold shoulders.

Jonathon · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:50:02 PM »

Ela · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:00:52 PM »

What just happened here?

Jonathon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:10:14 PM »

I don't know.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:47:30 PM »

* BlackBlade looks up at the thread title.

Jonathon · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2012, 03:13:25 PM »

* Jonathon feels even more confused.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:49:14 PM »

Quote from: Jonathon on February 13, 2012, 03:13:25 PM

* Jonathon feels even more confused.

Perhaps a picture would be worth a thousand explanations. Let me see if I can find one, it is after all like finding a needle in a needle factory. I guess what I'm trying to say is that a penny for your thoughtfulness is like water for one travailing.

I'm intentionally misusing phrases.

Brinestone · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:32:14 PM »

Jonathon · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:53:48 PM »

Ow. My head.

pooka · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2012, 12:49:49 PM »

I like to call it Davidson's law, but I guess explaining why I call it Davidson's law to non jatraqueros has led to some unfortunate incidents. Like the time I tried describing him to my sister as "like mom, but evil."

Brinestone · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:50:24 PM »

Ela · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2012, 06:54:16 PM »

I didn't get it, either, Brinestone.

pooka · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:34:46 PM »

You know how "matrix" means mother? It's a bit like that. I used to think I was an ENFP because my mother is an ENFP. But really I'm an INTJ.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:48:32 PM »

Quote from: pooka on February 16, 2012, 12:34:46 PM

You know how "matrix" means mother?

No, I didn't know that.

Quote

It's a bit like that. I used to think I was an ENFP because my mother is an ENFP. But really I'm an INTJ.

I'm not sure what that means.

pooka · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:49:47 PM »

It's a myers briggs personality typology. I don't know that the personality type is so important, like I don't know what Tom's type is. They just both are kind of larger than life and I find it difficult for either of them to let me agree to disagree with stuff.

Marianne Dashwood · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2012, 04:20:05 PM »

"Matrix" means womb, actually.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2012, 04:38:09 PM »

Quote from: Marianne Dashwood on February 16, 2012, 04:20:05 PM

"Matrix" means womb, actually.

It's used that way in the Bible.

Jonathon · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2012, 06:12:55 PM »

Quote from: Marianne Dashwood on February 16, 2012, 04:20:05 PM

"Matrix" means womb, actually.

It is derived from the Latin word for "mother," though.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2012, 07:11:41 PM »

Really? For some reason I thought matrix was Greek.