Common sayings that are commonly misstated

[Samsound]

Same with affect and effect.

Drives me nuts when I correctly use 'effect' as a verb in a Talking Paper about an issue, and my colleagues try to argue that it should be 'affect'. Dangit, contributing to something is not good enough - I want to MAKE it happen!

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I think "I'm at my wit's end" is correct. Are you saying there's a place called Wick?

There are a few places called Wick in the UK, I guess it could also be from candle wick. Though I've always heard it as wit's end, which, as has been pointed out, makes sense.

I don't know if they have been covered yet, but people suffering RAS Syndrome (redundant acronym syndrome syndrome) bug me, PIN number, ATM machine. Not really common sayings, but still a source of linguistic irritation!

That grinds my gears!

 

[Gazman]

I often hear people say "Your awful' when they obviously mean "You're awesome".

 

[DwaynieAD]

She gets pissed off when I correct her on these kinds of things, so I keep my mouth shut.

my fiance is the same way, but I correct her anyway.

I had to train a girl at work once that constantly said "This, that, and the third" Idk if it is incorrect but man it drove me nuts.

 

[bassteban]

"This, that, and the third"

I think I've heard all the phrases mentioned here- at least correctly- except that one. Thinking she made it up(perhaps inadvertantly).

 

[96tbird]

I'm sure it's 'this, that and the other'.

 

[bassteban]

I'm sure it's 'this, that and the other'.

OH- that I've heard.

 

[Truktek2]

The oft mis-used "could care less" when it should be "couldn't care less."

I could care less and I couldn't care less can both be used depending on how it's said. I couldn't care less (when one is being literal) or I could care less (with a sarcastic inflection, duh!) Most people say the latter without the sarcasm which makes them sound dumb. Either way, I couldn't, or could, care less

 

[96tbird]

That's been covered; worth a re-post.

Here is why "I could care less" makes no sense:

 

[Strat-Mangler]

I see people everywhere using "intact" as 2 words.

It's not "in tact" ; it's "intact."

 

[96tbird]

'There' in place of 'their'.

There was a comment a few posts back about people becoming upset when their grammar, spelling or usage of coined phrases are corrected. Aren't we supposed to learn something every day? Why are people so resistant to being corrected? I would hope that because it is an uncomfortable situation for them it would stick in their mind, saving them future embarrasment and elevate their status in society; yet they take exception.

I have heard: 'In a pig sky'. Only one person said that and I had a difficult time holding my tongue.

I came across one recently. In Canada, all products are labeled in both English and French. Aged cheese is labeled 'Old * Fort', 'fort' being French for 'strong'. The person referred to it as 'old fort cheese'. It took me a few seconds to figure out what she was saying; wow!

 

[Relic]

"alot" or "allot" instead of "a lot"
"suppose to" instead of "supposed to"
"noone" instead of "no one"

 

[Rip Topaz]

"a whole nuther".

Seriously, this makes me want to kill people.

 

[DwaynieAD]

'There' in place of 'their'.

There was a comment a few posts back about people becoming upset when their grammar, spelling or usage of coined phrases are corrected. Aren't we supposed to learn something every day? Why are people so resistant to being corrected? I would hope that because it is an uncomfortable situation for them it would stick in their mind, saving them future embarrasment and elevate their status in society; yet they take exception.

I have heard: 'In a pig sky'. Only one person said that and I had a difficult time holding my tongue.

I came across one recently. In Canada, all products are labeled in both English and French. Aged cheese is labeled 'Old * Fort', 'fort' being French for 'strong'. The person referred to it as 'old fort cheese'. It took me a few seconds to figure out what she was saying; wow!

I still have trouble with spelling some words and some usages. Certain things I just don't seem to grasp. spelling necessary is hard for me sometimes and getting my there or their correct is another. but I try not to become upset if I'm corrected because learning which is correct will make me a better person.

 

[xk49w]

nauseous vs nauseated

"I drank too much. I'm nauseous."

It means you induce nausea in others, not that you are experiencing nausea.

 

[96tbird]

I still have trouble with spelling some words and some usages. Certain things I just don't seem to grasp. spelling necessary is hard for me sometimes and getting my there or their correct is another. but I try not to become upset if I'm corrected because learning which is correct will make me a better person.

It doesn't make you a better person, you already are a fine person I hope. What it does for you is heighten your status within society. Once again, I am sure you are a fine person!!

 

[DwaynieAD]

It doesn't make you a better person, you already are a fine person I hope. What it does for you is heighten your status within society. Once again, I am sure you are a fine person!!

i'm a very beardly person

 

[Richland123]

Speaking of redundancies.

My band is called The Conniptions and people will ask, "Oh, like a conniption fit"? To which I reply, "That would be redundant since a conniption is a fit of rage or hysteria; so, that would be as if calling us the fit fits.

Also, how many of you say Razzberry? The word is actually Raspberry.

 

[Febs]

Also, how many of you say Razzberry? The word is actually Raspberry.

The word is spelled "raspberry," but it is pronounced "razz' ber ee."

 

[Rune Bivrin]

The word is spelled "raspberry," but it is pronounced "razz' ber ee."

You say tomato, I say potato...

Let's all just agree to not pronounce the p, okay?