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!