Pedantic n: excessively concerned with minor details or rules;
overscrupulous.
I have realised that as I’m ageing I am becoming pedantic. I find myself correcting the newscasters – who instead of whom; less instead of fewer, have two choices instead of a choice, split infinitives, etc etc.
While at the hospital recently I saw a message on the wall that said if you are a woman and between the ages of 17 to 65 – or some such ages, I drew my daughter’s attention to the mistaken use of to instead of and. She responded with the question did I understand what was being transmitted. Of course, I answered yes but it still worried me. Well that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
Then later in the week, when just thinking about nothing in particular, it came to me that I was becoming pedantic. The English language and the way it was used was very important in our lives growing up. Both parents, but my Father, in particular, were very aware of the way we used English and because of this, I guess I have continued to be very aware of language.
So now I am making a definite move to change. I know it won’t be easy but ….
Change is the law of life.
And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy
And for no other reason than because I love it. –
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world“.
Marilyn Monroe
If only I were able to wear those heels!
Maybe it is that you have more time and fewer distractions so you notice more of the small things.
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Oh no, I’ve always driven family mad with my correcting news readers, newspaper articles etc. But i’m definitely now trying to change this.
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Why? Be who you are.If you change your family will just keep reminding you of how you were before.
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I notice things like that too.
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Well we were brought up with a love of the language
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I think, like Rapunzel, you guessed my middle name Judith.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx.
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Ha ha Hugs to you too.xxx
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Ah, Marilyn! What a life she led! Yes, I still gaze lustfully at feet as the youngsters stride (or teeter 🙂 ) past me. Happy Sunday, Judith!
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Thanks Jo. Damn it I have some lovely high heels that I just cant bear to offload.
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I try not to correct other people´s English as it upsets me when I am corrected. It does bother me though when I see glaring errors in newspapers, notices and signs. One word I dislike is the word whilst instead of while. Not sure why, but it really bothers me. In North America, we seldom use whom, unless quoting Shakespeare!! Yes, English continues to evolve.
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I never correct other people in person, just newscasters, items in newspapers etc and thanks for the additional quote – but I don’t want a glass slipper.
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Love the shoe quote!! Here´s another one for you, “One shoe can change your life.” Cinderella
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Oh, I agree!
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Thanks It seems that most of us do.
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Newscasters misusing fewer and less makes me cringe.
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Yep that’s probably my all time hate
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I’m pedantic too … much to my husband’s irritation. 😦
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Well maybe you’re allowed to be – a published author and all
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Marilyn was most definitely right. 😊
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Yes she was
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