Author Topic: Word Usage Pet peeve (Read 17723 times)

Brinestone · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:00:14 AM »

There were two people in my meeting this morning who kept saying processes as if it were a Latin plural (PRAH-sess-EEZ). I have no idea why they were doing it, but it bugged the heck out of me. Why are people so obsessed with Latin plurals, even when we have perfectly acceptable English ones?

Porter · « **Reply #26 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:04:28 AM »

I've heard that plural before.

Jono · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:54:17 AM »

Quote

There were two people in my meeting this morning who kept saying processes as if it were a Latin plural (PRAH-sess-EEZ). I have no idea why they were doing it, but it bugged the heck out of me. Why are people so obsessed with Latin plurals, even when we have perfectly acceptable English ones?

Because we're taught all our lives that Latin is the best language.

Brinestone · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:56:05 AM »

Well, is it?

Porter · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:58:23 AM »

Very few people know what constitutes a "latin" plural.

I sure don't.

But not realizing that they come from Latin doesn't keep people from thinking that polysylabic latinate words are somehow better than monosylabic germanic words, so there may be some truth to what you say.

Jono · « **Reply #30 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:58:28 AM »

If it was, wouldn't it still be alive?

Brinestone · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:59:27 AM »

There are plenty of really great people and really great nations that have gone kaput.

Jono · « **Reply #32 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:06:33 AM »

Dude, don't answer my joke with facts.

Mal · « **Reply #33 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:06:47 AM »

The plural of syllabus is syllabus right?

Jono · « **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:07:26 AM »

Syllabuses or syllabi.

Porter · « **Reply #35 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:08:12 AM »

In their defence, I like the sound of processEEZ better than processes -- the almost repeated syllable in the second one makes it more difficult to say.

Mal · « **Reply #36 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:08:26 AM »

Huh. Then my prof is wrong. She said it was the fifth Latin plural conjugation. I had no idea what she was talking about because it was an Italian language and lit class.

Brinestone · « **Reply #37 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:09:04 AM »

Dude, I'm not a dude.

Porter · « **Reply #38 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:09:24 AM »

Whatever, man.

Jono · « **Reply #39 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:10:25 AM »

It could be that English speakers, not knowing Latin, have incorrectly formed the plural. I don't know enough Latin to say.

Dude, it's an interjection, not a vocative noun.

Mal · « **Reply #40 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:14:09 AM »

Ah ok, she's not a native English speaker I don't think. Oh well.

Teshi · « **Reply #41 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:35:26 AM »

I hate "me either"

*claws out ears*

"funner" shouldn't be allowed to exist. I don't care if it's right.

Jono · « **Reply #42 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:36:09 AM »

Fascist.

sarcasticmuppet · « **Reply #43 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:44:44 AM »

Fascister.

Mal · « **Reply #44 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:06:31 PM »

More funner makes me twinge.

Porter · « **Reply #45 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:10:15 PM »

Most facistist.

Mike · « **Reply #46 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:35:58 PM »

Here's one that I just noticed recently: "opposite tact". It's "tack", guys.

Porter · « **Reply #47 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:38:29 PM »

I know it's correct, but it still grates me when people talk about something filling a nEEsh instead of a nich.

sarcasticmuppet · « **Reply #48 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:39:52 PM »

Erik: I have a niche?
Mr. Feeny: niece
Erik: Ahh... *drinking motions*

Porter · « **Reply #49 on:** October 11, 2005, 12:41:52 PM »