Comments on Language Mistakes From Those Who Should Know Better

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Jazwolf,

I'll bet that TV basketball announcer wanted to take back those words as soon as they left his mouth.  Ouch!

posted by BlackPearl1 on August 22, 2006 at 7:12 PM | link to this | reply

I figured this was an encore presentation. Nobody's playing basketball right now.

posted by Talion on August 21, 2006 at 9:16 PM | link to this | reply

I bet we all see and hear this stuff every day.

It doesnt bug me at all....LOL! Take some Valium and LAY down....it should stop bugging you soon now.

posted by Passionflower on August 21, 2006 at 8:39 PM | link to this | reply

I think I am guilty of every mistake you just mention.

I am sure I don't make them often but I wonder, do I make these mistakes too?? probably not as bas as I think.

I think you are right, about the eager thing, people are acting out of just plain ignorance, but then igorance could be based on some kind of knowledge, over the top eagerness does lead to anxiety, so I might stick to my point, people unconsciously picked up on that. Ok my argument may be a bit weak, but it is fun thinking about that stuff.

posted by marieclaire66 on August 21, 2006 at 4:35 PM | link to this | reply

M-C--- I'm sorry but I don't understand your "hypochondria" comment.

posted by Jazwolf on August 21, 2006 at 4:23 PM | link to this | reply

M-C--- I agree with about about "ready." But I'm not buying the analysis

 of "eager." The problem is not that it is misused, but that it is NOT used. And I think that you give the general population far too much credit for critical thinking.

posted by Jazwolf on August 21, 2006 at 4:22 PM | link to this | reply

about that word "eager"....

well when my mind is running on idle, i sometimes have brain wave... well thoughts so this is one  of them.
eager implies a desire, sense of anticipation, a readiness and enthusiasm so it is possible to see how the word got to be misused or rather the meaning stretched to the limit, to the point that it crossed into another meaning, the word anxious.
If you think about it, when you are so keen or desirous of something it creates a feeling of anxiety so it is not totally wrong, but distorted beyond recognition or morphed if you like. this is my theory anyway. Whereas ready implies a conscious rational decision that is totally neutral, the sense of expectation does not reveal any emotion. So you can be ready, or prepared if you like, for the worst or the best. There, this is my theory, for what it is worth. What do you think? I did not even bother to check the definition in the dictionary so I could be totally off track, in which case, I will just have a good laugh at myself.

posted by marieclaire66 on August 21, 2006 at 4:18 PM | link to this | reply

ouch, this is hyponcodria. but with words this time!

I am beginning to wonder if I don't show all these symptoms as well! I need a reality check on this one. Yes I am aware of the pitfalls here, and having done and studied translation, ocasionnally you find yourself having to rewrite the sentence in proper English first, cross-referencing everything in the text and analysing the whole text in depth and doing research on the topic as well. It is truly fascinating, I did not pursue that option although I enjoy it immensely, i prefer the more interactive side of teaching, plus I am too lazy...

posted by marieclaire66 on August 21, 2006 at 4:11 PM | link to this | reply