Hope Rocky the Roo, was good to you;
with either presents from his pouch or;
a punch to the pwned.
Stuff that People Say
Re: Stuff that People Say
Happy Boxing Day!
Hope Rocky the Roo, was good to you;
with either presents from his pouch or;
a punch to the pwned.
Hope Rocky the Roo, was good to you;
with either presents from his pouch or;
a punch to the pwned.
Re: Stuff that People Say
Dear Alice,
Thank you for taking the time to respond in detail.
At the risk of seeming argumentative, I submit that you have ignored the factor of context. The language we use can vary greatly according to context. When I'm giving a seminar I use proper grammar, I minimize the use of slang, I use words having specific (or even technical) meaning, and I speak slowly, to be heard and understood.
When I'm in a "mixed" group, I speak more colloquially, less technically, and seldom use words that are not commonly understood.
When I'm at a gathering of close friends I use more slang, more profanity, and occasionally use ungrammatical expressions that are in common use, often for humorous effect.
There are some words, expressions, and slang that I use in writing, but would not generally use when speaking. When writing, you know that you have the person's attention, and you also normally know more about the intended reader.
When posting on line, I often use a stream-of-consciousness style, internet slang, and incorporate expressions that I know from past history that the "audience" will understand. I would never say, "WTF," but I use it when posting on the internet.
All of the comments in my previous postings must be read in the context of posting on line, while describing oral communications in different contexts. A person working behind the counter of a fast-food restaurant has an obligation to the customer to speak clearly, correctly, and courteously. "Can I help who's next," is not acceptable, and is no easier than saying, "May I help you?" Or, "Who is next?"
And so on.
AND ANOTHER EXPRESSION THAT BUGS ME...
...is "...aren't I?"
As in, "I'm the fattest person in the room, aren't I?"
Bullshit.
There are a couple ways of expressing this thought properly, and none of them exactly rolls off the tongue, but that doesn't excuse the grammatical abomination of, "...aren't I?"
"Am I not the fattest person in the room?" or,
"I am the fattest person in the room, am I not?"
Of course, the reason for the conundrum is that NO ONE wants to be caught in public using the expression, "...ain't I?"
But to avoid that, we have come up with, "...aren't I," which is just as bad.
You couldn't say, "I are the fattest person in the room," could you? It would obviously be a gramatical faux pas.
"...aren't I," sounds to me like someone who wants - and fails - to sound intelligent.
I'm with the late W.F. Buckley, who proposed that in this one limited context, "...ain't I?" should be acceptable.
Thank you for taking the time to respond in detail.
At the risk of seeming argumentative, I submit that you have ignored the factor of context. The language we use can vary greatly according to context. When I'm giving a seminar I use proper grammar, I minimize the use of slang, I use words having specific (or even technical) meaning, and I speak slowly, to be heard and understood.
When I'm in a "mixed" group, I speak more colloquially, less technically, and seldom use words that are not commonly understood.
When I'm at a gathering of close friends I use more slang, more profanity, and occasionally use ungrammatical expressions that are in common use, often for humorous effect.
There are some words, expressions, and slang that I use in writing, but would not generally use when speaking. When writing, you know that you have the person's attention, and you also normally know more about the intended reader.
When posting on line, I often use a stream-of-consciousness style, internet slang, and incorporate expressions that I know from past history that the "audience" will understand. I would never say, "WTF," but I use it when posting on the internet.
All of the comments in my previous postings must be read in the context of posting on line, while describing oral communications in different contexts. A person working behind the counter of a fast-food restaurant has an obligation to the customer to speak clearly, correctly, and courteously. "Can I help who's next," is not acceptable, and is no easier than saying, "May I help you?" Or, "Who is next?"
And so on.
AND ANOTHER EXPRESSION THAT BUGS ME...
...is "...aren't I?"
As in, "I'm the fattest person in the room, aren't I?"
Bullshit.
There are a couple ways of expressing this thought properly, and none of them exactly rolls off the tongue, but that doesn't excuse the grammatical abomination of, "...aren't I?"
"Am I not the fattest person in the room?" or,
"I am the fattest person in the room, am I not?"
Of course, the reason for the conundrum is that NO ONE wants to be caught in public using the expression, "...ain't I?"
But to avoid that, we have come up with, "...aren't I," which is just as bad.
You couldn't say, "I are the fattest person in the room," could you? It would obviously be a gramatical faux pas.
"...aren't I," sounds to me like someone who wants - and fails - to sound intelligent.
I'm with the late W.F. Buckley, who proposed that in this one limited context, "...ain't I?" should be acceptable.
Re: Stuff that People Say
Sorry Dave, that doesn't wash with me. In fact it's completely hypocritical to expect higher standards from a fast food server than from yourself. Really? Who do you expect to find working in a fast food restaurant? Noel Coward? 
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Stuff that People Say
It's hard enough for them to get the order right; don't expect proper grammar on top of that challenge!
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Stuff that People Say
I have worked a fast food counter, been a short order cook (also taking orders), a cab driver, and retail salesperson.
Expecting courtesy and coherent speech is NOT asking too much. It would be patronizing in the extreme to assume that because someone is working behind the counter of a fast food restaurant they are incapable of organized thought and speech.
Getting the order right is a cooperative venture, and different matter altogether. I usually ask for a soft drink consisting of half lemonade and half iced tea (sometimes called, "an Arnold Palmer"). Invariably the clerk says, "No problem," and about one time in five I actually get what I've asked for.
I probably should go back and ask for it to be corrected, but I don't want to be difficult.
Expecting courtesy and coherent speech is NOT asking too much. It would be patronizing in the extreme to assume that because someone is working behind the counter of a fast food restaurant they are incapable of organized thought and speech.
Getting the order right is a cooperative venture, and different matter altogether. I usually ask for a soft drink consisting of half lemonade and half iced tea (sometimes called, "an Arnold Palmer"). Invariably the clerk says, "No problem," and about one time in five I actually get what I've asked for.
I probably should go back and ask for it to be corrected, but I don't want to be difficult.
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quaddriver
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Re: Stuff that People Say
This from a brit.Sean wrote:Sorry Dave, that doesn't wash with me. In fact it's completely hypocritical to expect higher standards from a fast food server than from yourself. Really? Who do you expect to find working in a fast food restaurant? Noel Coward?
As Dave Barry once noted:
London is a popular place to visit because they have learned to speak some
English over there. Although frankly, they have a long way to go. I had a
lot of conversations that went like this:
ME: Excuse me, could you tell us how to get to Buckingham Palace?
BRITISH PERSON: Right. You go down this street here, then you nip up the
weckershams.
ME: We should nip up the weckershams?
BRIT: Right. Then you take your first left, then you just pop 'round the
gorn-and-scrumbles, and, Jack's-a-doughnut, there you are!
ME: Jack's a doughnut?
BRIT: Right.
Also they have a lot of trouble with pronunciation because they can't move
their jaw muscles because of malnutrition caused by wisely refusing to eat
English food, much of which was designed and manufactured in medieval times
during the reign of King Walter the Mildly Disturbed. Some dishes--no
effort is made to conceal this fact--contain KIDNEYS. We also saw one dish
with a sign next to it that said--I swear I am not making this up--"Spotted
Dick."
....At the height of rush hour, people on the London underground actually
say "excuse me." Imagine what would happen if you tried an insane stunt
like that on the New York City subway? The other passengers would take it
as a sign of weakness, and there'd be a fight over who got to keep your
ears as a trophy.
Re: Stuff that People Say
Quad, that is a rather poorly written piece.
If it was witty to you, that just speaks volumes to me ... about how poor your sense of humour is.
If it was witty to you, that just speaks volumes to me ... about how poor your sense of humour is.
Bah!
Re: Stuff that People Say
You don't know Dave Barry do you.
Dave Barry has been at The Miami Herald since 1983. A Pulitzer Prize winner for commentary, he writes about issues ranging from the international economy to exploding toilets.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/colum ... rylink=cpy
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quaddriver
- Posts: 759
- Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 4:40 am
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Re: Stuff that People Say
I didnt say it was witty (altho it is, whether or not I exist)
But it is apt.
But it is apt.
Re: Stuff that People Say
Ah! Back to the Brit-bashing is it Quaddy old chap?
Thought you'd gone a bit quiet lately. You obviously been building up your bile levels.
Carry on then...
Thought you'd gone a bit quiet lately. You obviously been building up your bile levels.
Carry on then...
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
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quaddriver
- Posts: 759
- Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 4:40 am
- Location: Wherever the man sends me
- Contact:
Re: Stuff that People Say
Should I forward your reply to the author? You give me credit where credit is not due!
Re: Stuff that People Say
I didn't realize Dave Barry was writing again.
Although he is an "acquired taste," I found a lot of his stuff to be absolutely hilarious.
What was quoted above was not the best example of his humor, but it does give the flavor.
Although he is an "acquired taste," I found a lot of his stuff to be absolutely hilarious.
What was quoted above was not the best example of his humor, but it does give the flavor.
Re: Stuff that People Say
I understand he's blogging now, and still in that band with Stephen King and Amy Tan, I'm not making that up. 
Re: Stuff that People Say
Out in paperback, be sure you've had a tinkle before reading this or else you'll wet yourself 
A brilliantly funny exploration of the treacherous state of adulthood by the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist.
Some people may wonder what this subject has to do with Dave Barry, since Dave's struggled hard against growing up his entire life-but the result is one of the funniest, warmest, most pitch-perfect books ever on that mystifying territory we call "adulthood".
In hilarious, brand-new pieces, Dave tackles everything from fatherhood, new fatherhood ("Over the next five years, you will spend roughly 45 minutes, total, listening to songs you like, and roughly 127,000 hours to songs exploring topics such as how the horn on the bus goes* [*It goes: 'Beep! Beep! Beep!']"), self-image, the battle of the sexes, celebrityhood, technology, parenting styles, certain unmentionable medical procedures ("There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of a vasectomy, except that: THEY CUT A HOLE IN YOUR SCROTUM."), and much more. It is a book of pure delight from the man one newspaper claimed "could become the most important American humorist since Mark Twain" (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)...though, frankly, we think they were indulging in some adult beverages at the time.
Amazon.com
Re: Stuff that People Say
Ah! My mistake. I didn't realise that Mr Barry was posting under your username.quaddriver wrote:Should I forward your reply to the author? You give me credit where credit is not due!
Pillock!
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Stuff that People Say
That bit about Brits saying 'excuse me' on the Tube and what would happen to them in NYC was pretty hilarious.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Stuff that People Say
Clue:
quaddriver wrote:
As Dave Barry once noted:
Re: Stuff that People Say
You can't understand even the most basic concepts can you Lo?
Anyway don't think I've forgotten about this or am going to let it go.
Until you have the spine to address that you can get fucked.
Is that simple enough for you to understand?
Anyway don't think I've forgotten about this or am going to let it go.
Until you have the spine to address that you can get fucked.
Is that simple enough for you to understand?
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Stuff that People Say
Sure, you want to hijack this thread and are baiting me to get another row started.
