Is "decider" a real word?

[skcin]

Seriously. Decider? Dumbass.

EDIT - OK, I looked it up, apparently it is. I don't care. It shouldn't be.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/18/rumsfeld/index.html

Bush: 'I'm the decider' on Rumsfeld
Defense chief set to meet with so-called 'TV generals'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Tuesday emphasized once again his support for his defense secretary, saying Donald Rumsfeld "is doing a fine job."

At a Rose Garden ceremony announcing his nominees for budget director and trade representative, Bush referred to the controversy in which six retired generals recently have called for Rumsfeld's resignation.

"I hear the voices, and I read the front page and I know the speculation," the president said. "But I'm the decider, and I decide what's best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."

Also Tuesday, Rumsfeld planned to meet with a group of retired generals who regularly appear as analysts on television and in newspapers.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Donald Shepperd, a CNN military analyst who will attend the session, said more than a dozen similar meetings have been held in the past. But he said that Tuesday's meeting was called late last week, apparently in response to recent events.

Shepperd said such meetings give the generals an opportunity to ask tough questions and that they are not limited to those who agree with the Pentagon on every issue.

Recently, six retired generals -- including former commanders of two Army divisions that saw combat in Iraq -- have called for Rumsfeld to resign.

They accuse him of ignoring advice from senior officers about how to prosecute the war and sending too few troops into Iraq to manage the occupation after the March 2003 invasion.

In defense of Rumsfeld, four retired generals wrote an op-ed piece Monday in The Wall Street Journal suggesting that some of his critics don't understand the war on terrorism.

"Much of the acrimony expressed by Secretary Rumsfeld's military critics appears to stem from his efforts to 'transform' the military by moving to a joint expeditionary force that is lighter and more mobile in nature to meet the nation's current and future threats," the commentary said.

"Many senior officers and bureaucrats did not support his transformation goals -- preferring conventional weapons of the past ... which prove practically useless against lawless and uncivilized enemies engaged in asymmetric warfare," the writers continued. (Watch Rumsfeld fight fire with fire -- 2:18)

The op-ed piece was written by retired Lt. Gen. John Crosby, former deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, former assistant vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force; retired Maj. Gen. Buron Moore, U.S. Air Force, who was director of Central Command during Operation Desert Storm; and retired Maj. Gen Paul Vallely, former deputy commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific.

Of the two Rumsfeld critics the piece singled out, retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni is a former chief of U.S. Central Command and retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Greg Newbold is a former director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"It unfortunately appears that two of the retired generals (Messrs. Zinni and Newbold) do not understand the true nature of this radical ideology, Islamic extremism, and why we fight in Iraq. We suggest they listen to the tapes of United 93," the piece continued, referring to the hijacked plane that went down in Pennysylvania on 9/11.

The four retired generals also said it was inappropriate for senior military officers -- active or retired -- to criticize the civilian leadership during war.

At the White House briefing Monday, press secretary Scott McClellan pointed to the Wall Street Journal op-ed as evidence that retired generals stand behind the defense secretary.

Also Monday, U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., a Tennessee Democrat running for his state's Senate seat, suggested replacing Rumsfeld with former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"Gen. Powell's experience resolving complicated and sensitive national security challenges is needed now more than ever," Ford said in a statement. "He will bring a respect for our military, a willingness to listen, a capacity to admit and correct mistakes and an attention to detail that is absent now in the top job at the Pentagon."

[Richard B]

I read this this morning. Lost my toast.
http://www.it-mate.co.uk/new/icons/smiles_lrg/vomiting.gif

[David]

Seriously. Decider?Maybe he meant the French verb.

[madformac]

It is a word but it shouldn't be used in such a way and by a chimp either. :laugh:

I think he needs to be told what the word decision means.

What a prat..

I will say one thing. I do believe him when he says "I hear the voices" . Indeed he does hear voices...

[ragandbone]

He peaked in his language development back in kindergarten. that's why his fave book is "The Hungry Caterpillar" (or, "The Very Hungry Capitalist")

[strandinthewind]

Main Entry: de·cide
Pronunciation: di-'sId, dE-
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): de·cid·ed; de·cid·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French decider, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut
transitive senses
1 a : to arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or dispute about <decide what to do> b : to select as a course of action -- used with an infinitive <decided to go>
2 : to bring to a definitive end <one blow decided the fight>
3 : to induce to come to a choice <her pleas decided him to help>
intransitive senses : to make a choice or judgment
- de·cid·abil·i·ty /di-"sI-d&-'bi-l&-tE/ noun
- de·cid·able /di-'sI-d&-b&l/ adjective
- de·cid·er noun
synonyms DECIDE, DETERMINE, SETTLE, RULE, RESOLVE mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. DECIDE implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy <she decided to sell her house>. DETERMINE implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something <determined the cause of the problem>. SETTLE implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty <the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy>. RULE implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority <the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible>. RESOLVE implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something <he resolved to quit smoking>.

http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/Decider

[strandinthewind]

It is a word but it shouldn't be used in such a way and by a chimp either. :laugh:

I think he needs to be told what the word decision means.

What a prat..

I will say one thing. I do believe him when he says "I hear the voices" . Indeed he does hear voices...

"I am the decider" is incorrect? Should it be only "I decide" and "The decider determined . . . . " - I am not being snarky, just curious :cool:

[skcin]

I already SAID that I looked it UP and conceded that it IS a word!

I just think it sounds....I don't know....really elementary school playgroundish? Like something I would say - not what a wrold leader should say!

For example: "Shut up, Strand, you can't keep posting definitions here in my thread! WHY? Because I'm the decider!" :nod:

"I'm the decider,
I've been burned by this liar
and I've had to live
with his false promises
I want him to retire
I'm the DECIDER!"

[JohnL]

I am the decision maker. Just my opinion. However, that is why we are in the shape we are today in this country, because he has been the "decider" once too often. :nod:

[madformac]

"I am the decider" is incorrect? Should it be only "I decide" and "The decider determined . . . . " - I am not being snarky, just curious :cool:

Sounds much better but he should have used "decision". As in "I make the decisions" or "I am the decision maker" not "I am the decider". :rolleyes:

You could use the word in a phrase such as "This question is the decider"
but I wouldn't use it in terms of a person. "He's the decider" no, it's "He's the decision maker" or "He makes the decisions".

I'm not surprised by his choice of wording. This is a guy pondering nuclear war when he can't even say the word itself.. :shocked:

[skcin]

^ COPYCAT! :cool:

[strandinthewind]

. . . . For example: "Shut up, Strand, you can't keep posting definitions here in my thread! WHY? Because I'm the decider!" :nod:

"I'm the decider,
I've been burned by this liar
and I've had to live
with his false promises
I want him to retire
I'm the DECIDER!"

:blob2: :blob1: GET OFF THE CAFFEINE:blob1: :blob2:

;) ;)

[ragandbone]

How about "I am the boss of you!" or "I am the Dictator!":D

[strandinthewind]

Sounds much better but he should have used "decision". As in "I make the decisions" or "I am the decision maker" not "I am the decider". :rolleyes:

You could use the word in a phrase such as "This question is the decider"
but I wouldn't use it in terms of a person. "He's the decider" no, it's "He's the decision maker" or "He makes the decisions".

I'm not surprised by his choice of wording. This is a guy pondering nuclear war when he can't even say the word itself.. :shocked:

Ahhh- I see now - thanks!!!!

Also, yes, W is an a$$ :mad:

[madformac]

"I am the Dictator!"

That's more like it..

The American people shouldn't be too upset with Bush. He's done something wonderful for you guys on the world stage and those of you that are less well travelled may not even know.

Before he came to power and showed the world the full limit of his intelligence the American people in general were sneered at, particularly in parts of Europe such as France and Germany as being arrogant and self obsessed, egocentric, whatever.. I think it's possibly a little bit of jealousy at the US economy but I don't know really. Anyway, now the whole world looks on you guys in a sympathetic way. How awful having an idiot like that in charge. The world feels sorry and the rest of us understand.. :) :wavey:

[The Tower]

^ COPYCAT! :cool:
I totally didn't see that..... oh, well.

[estranged4life]

The American people shouldn't be too upset with Bush. He's done something wonderful for you guys on the world stage and those of you that are less well travelled may not even know.


I didnt vote for him :thumbsup:

For some unknown reason Shrub reminds me now of Pink during his "Dictatoral tyranncy" during "In the Flesh" in the movie "Pink Floyd-The Wall"

All we need to do is change the stars/stripes into hammers!!!

[madformac]

I didnt vote for him :thumbsup:

For some unknown reason Shrub reminds me now of Pink during his "Dictatoral tyranncy" during "In the Flesh" in the movie "Pink Floyd-The Wall"

All we need to do is change the stars/stripes into hammers!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I inputted him in dictionary.com

11 entries found for bush.

A low shrub with many branches.
A thick growth of shrubs; a thicket.

Land covered with dense vegetation or undergrowth.
Land remote from settlement: the Australian bush.

A shaggy mass, as of hair.
Vulgar Slang. A growth of pubic hair. (:laugh: I think we have a winner!)
A fox's tail.

Archaic. A clump of ivy hung outside a tavern to indicate the availability of wine inside.
Obsolete. A tavern.

[estranged4life]

Vulgar Slang. A growth of pubic hair. (:laugh: I think we have a winner!)

recently said the following:

"I love Bush-
The pu**y,
Not the asshole President" :lol:

[skcin]

I totally didn't see that..... oh, well.


I'm concerned about you, Towie. It's not like you to not read previous posts thoroughly, then post a reply anyway. That's Davidmn's job. :laugh:

Oooops, hi David! :o

[cliffdweller]

Sounds much better but he should have used "decision". As in "I make the decisions" or "I am the decision maker" not "I am the decider". :rolleyes:


He's an idiot :rolleyes:, what more really needs to be said?

Normally I wouldn't write people off so reductively, but in this case I think it stands to reason.

[skcin]

^ Love your new sig, Cliffdweller! :laugh:

[cliffdweller]

^ Love your new sig, Cliffdweller! :laugh:


:laugh: Thanks! :wavey:

Gotta love John's hilarious commentary. What's funny is that he looks like he's saying that (the quote in my sig) in the photo! :laugh:

[The Tower]

I'm concerned about you, Towie. It's not like you to not read previous posts thoroughly, then post a reply anyway. That's Davidmn's job. :laugh:

Oooops, hi David! :o
*** Ai, yi, yiiiiiii *** :lol:

Yes, Paula dear, I seem to have lost my touch. I'm like the Boris Karloff character Scarabus from Roger Corman's The Raven after being defeated by Kraven in the Wizard's Duel to the Death.

I think I need to create a new persona- hypothetically, as really doing so would automatically get me banned. I'm thinking of using the screen name "Threadkiller" again....

[irishgrl]

"I am the decider" is incorrect? Should it be only "I decide" and "The decider determined . . . . " - I am not being snarky, just curious :cool:


Ive heard "decide" "decided" "deciding" but not "decider"

I would have thought it would have been more correct to say
"decision maker"

just my two cents.

Monkey Boy is an eejit.

[gldstwmn]

"I'm the decider,
I've been burned by this liar
and I've had to live
with his false promises
I want him to retire
I'm the DECIDER!"

Wow! Nicely done. :thumbsup:

[DavidMn]

I'm concerned about you, Towie. It's not like you to not read previous posts thoroughly, then post a reply anyway. That's Davidmn's job. :laugh:

Oooops, hi David! :oIt's ok Paula. I know you dont mean any harm by it. Besides I know I can count on you to correct me. Youre allright.:thumbsup:

[SuzeQuze]

:laugh: Thanks! :wavey:

Gotta love John's hilarious commentary. What's funny is that he looks like he's saying that (the quote in my sig) in the photo! :laugh:

Hehe, "What's this sh*t about?" :lol:

Bush does decide but he doesn't use logic or reason. Dr. Phil was saying last night that that part of your brain develops into your mid twenties. I'll go out on a limb and say Bush NEVER developed this part of his brain due to cocaine and alchohol abuse. :eek:

[skcin]

It's ok Paula. I know you dont mean any harm by it. Besides I know I can count on you to correct me. Youre allright.:thumbsup:

Well then, while I'm at it, it's spelled "alright." :cool: And "you're." OK, I'm done for now. Carry on.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Well then, while I'm at it, it's spelled "alright." :cool: And "you're." OK, I'm done for now. Carry on.

Your use of emotioncons never ceases to amaze me. The use of them is all so delicate, but they throw a powerful punch. Teach me, wise one, about the power of the smiley face.



SNARK!

[SuzeQuze]

You're use of emotioncons never ceases to amaze me. The use of them is all so delicate, but they throw a powerful punch. Teach me, wise one, about the power of the smiley face.



SNARK!

Who peed in your Cheerios, Curtie? :xoxo:

[ontheEdgeof17]

Who peed in your Cheerios, Curtie? :xoxo:

I did, on accident.



...but P and I are totally pulling each other's chains.

[skcin]

You're use of emotioncons never ceases to amaze me. The use of them is all so delicate, but they throw a powerful punch. Teach me, wise one, about the power of the smiley face.



SNARK!

Goddammit, I love you Curty! :xoxo: You truly understand me.

[Johnny Stew]

Well then, while I'm at it, it's spelled "alright." :cool:Actually... it's supposed to be "all right," as two words. "Alright" is considered to be incorrect.

Usage Note: Despite the appearance of the form alright in works of such well-known writers as Langston Hughes and James Joyce, the single word spelling has never been accepted as standard. This is peculiar, since similar fusions such as already and altogether have never raised any objections. The difference may lie in the fact that already and altogether became single words back in the Middle Ages, whereas alright has only been around for a little more than a century and was called out by language critics as a misspelling. Consequently, one who uses alright, especially in formal writing, runs the risk that readers may view it as an error or as the willful breaking of convention.

The moral of the story... two wrongs don't make an "all right." ;)

[skcin]

Actually... it's supposed to be "all right," as two words. "Alright" is considered to be incorrect.



The moral of the story... two wrongs don't make an "all right." ;)


You bastard! :mad:


:laugh:

[strandinthewind]

and even more on it:

Main Entry: al·right
Pronunciation: (")ol-'rIt, 'ol-"
Function: adverb or adjective
: ALL RIGHT
usage The one-word spelling alright appeared some 75 years after all right itself had reappeared from a 400-year-long absence. Since the early 20th century some critics have insisted alright is wrong, but it has its defenders and its users. It is less frequent than all right but remains in common use especially in journalistic and business publications. It is quite common in fictional dialogue, and is used occasionally in other writing <the first two years of medical school were alright -- Gertrude Stein>.

http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/alright

Personally, I think it is acceptable to use.

[skcin]

Personally, I think it is acceptable to use.


Well then, that's that. You, Jason, are the decider this time. :)

[strandinthewind]

Well then, that's that. You, Jason, are the decider this time. :)

Marry me NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ontheEdgeof17]

Actually... it's supposed to be "all right," as two words. "Alright" is considered to be incorrect.



Others that annoy me:

alot....it's "a lot"

apart....it's "a part"



ta da.

[Johnny Stew]

Others that annoy me:

alot....it's "a lot"

apart....it's "a part"You're correct about "alot" being incorrect, but you're incorrect about "a part" being correct. ;)

[amber]

Well then, that's that. You, Jason, are the decider this time. :)

:laugh:
You're the retarder.

[madformac]

:laugh:
You're the retarder.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

What about bestest? I hate that.

[David]

and even more on it:

Main Entry: al·right
Pronunciation: (")ol-'rIt, 'ol-"
Function: adverb or adjective
: ALL RIGHT
usage The one-word spelling alright appeared some 75 years after all right itself had reappeared from a 400-year-long absence. Since the early 20th century some critics have insisted alright is wrong, but it has its defenders and its users. It is less frequent than all right but remains in common use especially in journalistic and business publications. It is quite common in fictional dialogue, and is used occasionally in other writing <the first two years of medical school were alright -- Gertrude Stein>.

http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/alrightI think Merriam-Webster Online is exaggerating; "alright" isn't "in common use" in journalistic publications. In every newspaper & magazine I've ever read, "alright" is a proscribed solecism. In fact, the journalist's Bible--the Associated Press Stylebook--year after year, revision after revision, tells writers to avoid "alright."
Personally, I think it is acceptable to use.It may be acceptable to this person or that person, but the one-word form is censured in every important usage guide: from Fowler to Gowers to Follett to Barzun to Garner to Copperud to Bernstein & on & on & on, including all the reliable house style guides such as NY Times, Chicago Manual of Style & MLA.

If you want reliable & accurate usage guidance online, avoid Merriam-Webster dictionaries (widely known & proud of their descriptivist approach to usage) & use instead the American Heritage Dictionary at Bartleby: www.bartleby.com/61/

Another helpful guide is the American Heritage Book of English Usage--online at Bartleby at www.bartleby.com/64/.

I use "alright" only when I'm singing "That's Alright" by the legendary Stevie Nicks! :thumbsup:

[chiliD]

And, while we're at it, can we review the uses of "their", "there" & "they're"?

THEY'RE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE!!!


As well as "hear" & "here".

THEY'RE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE, EITHER!!!

[David]

Dr. Phil was saying last night that that part of your brain develops into your mid twenties. I'll go out on a limb and say Bush NEVER developed this part of his brain due to cocaine and alchohol abuse. :eek:And didn't he hit someone in his car? or was that his wife who ran someone over?

[madformac]

And didn't he hit someone in his car? or was that his wife who ran someone over?

I think the problem with "W" is the wrong sperm got to the egg first.. :nod:

[amber]

I think the problem with "W" is the wrong sperm got to the egg first.. :nod:
I would go so far as to say the problem is that his parents exist at all. I could've easily done without Dumbya 1 as President, or head of the CIA.
:laugh:

[chiliD]

I use "alright" only when I'm singing "That's Alright" by the legendary Stevie Nicks! :thumbsup:

Or Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". :thumbsup:

[estranged4life]

Main Entry: al·right
Pronunciation: (")ol-'rIt, 'ol-"
Function: adverb or adjective
: ALL RIGHT
usage "Bush isnt alright, He is rather Ba-Dong!!"


I agree, he is indeed Ba-Dong (Bad + Wrong=Ba-Dong...Watch that literary masterpiece of a movie "Kung Pow:Enter he Fist" for the first utterance of the word Ba-Dong).

[estranged4life]

I think the problem with "W" is the wrong sperm got to the egg first.. :nod:

that damn monkey sperm beat that human oil baron "great humanitarian" asshole sperm!

[David]

Or Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". :thumbsup:
****! I forgot about that one, although I don't sing it often.

Speaking of solecisms, there's an undeniably major one in my "alright" post. Can anyone spot it?

Here's a clue: check the third graph from the bottom.

(I didn't put it there on purpose, but I didn't edit carefully enough before posting.)

[Johnny Stew]

And, while we're at it, can we review the uses of "their", "there" & "they're"?

THEY'RE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE!!!


As well as "hear" & "here".

THEY'RE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE, EITHER!!!I'd also like to see the apostrophe forever removed from "its" when it's not being used as a contraction for "it is" (ie: "the voice is its own instrument" is correct, while "the voice is it's own instrument" is not).
That's a big goof that I see a lot of people doing.

Oh, and "I could/would/should of" being used when it should be "I could/would/should have."

[wondergirl9847]

I love that this thread has turned in grammar class. :laugh:

I know that I've used "it's" when I shouldn't have here and there, but I try to make sure I remember when to use the apostrophe and not.

Its hair was brown.
It's going to be okay.

[estranged4life]

It's going to be okay.

It's going to be a small town North of Muskogee (Okay, Oklahoma is North of Muskogee...A rather small RACIST town, That should receive another flooding ala 1986)???

Nevermind me, I am in pain and the meds are screwing with my brain (That's B-R-A-I-N, Which is constantly mispelt B-R-I-A-N!!!) so I am humoring myself yet again.

[GypsySorcerer]

A little trick: To remind yourself to use its when indicating possession, remember that you don't write hi's for his or he'r for her. It's easy to remember its, his, and hers that way. :wavey:

[Brad]

I can't tell you how much it infuriates me when people refer to misplacing something as "loosing" it! Argh!

Equally annoying for me are "your" and "you're." It seems the whole world has forgotten that the latter spelling exists...not to mention that there's also a "too" and not just "to."

Brad

[wondergirl9847]

Your loosing you're mind. Hear, we now how to spell. I should of said so earlier, to.

:laugh:

I just thought of another thing I hate. When people spell "sense"....."since". I've seen this at TWoP a lot, but elsewhere too. "She had no common since." WTH?

[gldstwmn]

I can't tell you how much it infuriates me when people refer to misplacing something as "loosing" it! Argh!


It sounds like a bowel movement. :laugh:

[SuzeQuze]

And didn't he hit someone in his car? or was that his wife who ran someone over?

Laura hit and killed someone when she was in her late teens.

[SuzeQuze]

****! I forgot about that one, although I don't sing it often.

Speaking of solecisms, there's an undeniably major one in my "alright" post. Can anyone spot it?

Here's a clue: check the third graph from the bottom.

(I didn't put it there on purpose, but I didn't edit carefully enough before posting.)

Yeah, "descriptivist". WTH? :lol: ;)

[David]

Yeah, "descriptivist". WTH? :lol: ;)In language matters, "descriptive" (or "descriptivist") refers to scientific linguistics: observing & analyzing facts of speech & writing as they occur, without passing value judgments of correctness or fitness or desirability on those usages. "Prescriptive" (or "prescriptivist") refers to making such judgments about usages: prescribing normative rules for a language instead of simply describing how language is used.

When you get usage guidance or grammar advice from a guide or dictionary, you are getting prescriptive guidance. But ever since Webster's Third dictionary in 1961, that particular family of dictionaries has adopted a descriptive approach to its dictionaries: to report how language is used instead of to guide usage.

But the usage screwup I was thinking of in my post:

If you want reliable & accurate usage guidance online, avoid Merriam-Webster dictionaries (widely known & proud of their descriptivist approach to usage) & use instead the American Heritage Dictionary.

was the example of something called zeugma. When I said, "widely known & proud of ..." that was an example of an error called zeugma (you pronounce it "zoog-muh"). Zeugma is a figure of speech in which one word is forced to serve a role in two constructions (often by ellipsis), & that forcing is generally ungrammatical. You can see in my example that "widely known" & "proud of" both qualify the noun phrase "their descriptivist approach to usage." But the problem is that, while "proud of" is correct because it contains the correct preposition, "widely known" doesn't contain its own preposition--you are meant to join it ("zeugma" means "joining" or "yoking together") to the only explicit preposition in the phrase (which is "of"). However, something isn't said to be "widely known of"; to be correct, it should be "widely known for."

So I should have written: "If you want reliable & accurate usage guidance online, avoid Merriam-Webster dictionaries (widely known FOR & proud of their descriptivist approach to usage) & use instead the American Heritage Dictionary."

I think it sounds more complicated than it really is. But just think of the words in your sentence & how they relate to words & phrases that both precede & follow them. Zeugma isn't always incorrect, but it generally is.

[BTFLCHLD]

I think it sounds more complicated than it really is
also known as DUH :p

[SuzeQuze]

In language matters, "descriptive" (or "descriptivist") refers to scientific linguistics: observing & analyzing facts of speech & writing as they occur, without passing value judgments of correctness or fitness or desirability on those usages. "Prescriptive" (or "prescriptivist") refers to making such judgments about usages: prescribing normative rules for a language instead of simply describing how language is used.

When you get usage guidance or grammar advice from a guide or dictionary, you are getting prescriptive guidance. But ever since Webster's Third dictionary in 1961, that particular family of dictionaries has adopted a descriptive approach to its dictionaries: to report how language is used instead of to guide usage.

But the usage screwup I was thinking of in my post:

If you want reliable & accurate usage guidance online, avoid Merriam-Webster dictionaries (widely known & proud of their descriptivist approach to usage) & use instead the American Heritage Dictionary.

was the example of something called zeugma. When I said, "widely known & proud of ..." that was an example of an error called zeugma (you pronounce it "zoog-muh"). Zeugma is a figure of speech in which one word is forced to serve a role in two constructions (often by ellipsis), & that forcing is generally ungrammatical. You can see in my example that "widely known" & "proud of" both qualify the noun phrase "their descriptivist approach to usage." But the problem is that, while "proud of" is correct because it contains the correct preposition, "widely known" doesn't contain its own preposition--you are meant to join it ("zeugma" means "joining" or "yoking together") to the only explicit preposition in the phrase (which is "of"). However, something isn't said to be "widely known of"; to be correct, it should be "widely known for."

So I should have written: "If you want reliable & accurate usage guidance online, avoid Merriam-Webster dictionaries (widely known FOR & proud of their descriptivist approach to usage) & use instead the American Heritage Dictionary."

I think it sounds more complicated than it really is. But just think of the words in your sentence & how they relate to words & phrases that both precede & follow them. Zeugma isn't always incorrect, but it generally is.

No I get it, I just didn't know about that rule. Although if I were editing I would have added the prep knowing it wasn't right that it was missing.

I knew I should've looked that damn word up! Oops.

[DrummerDeanna]

Ah a grammar lesson..there's something I can get behind.

You all rock for pointing out the thing already pointed out. I have to strongly agree on the "your" vs. "you're" the sucky thing is with online speak they've all with replaced with "ur" - if I see a message with that in it I pretty much stop reading it.

Online speak have become unreadable to me.

That said, my biggest pet peeves is when people say, "anyways" I HATE that. There is no need for an "s" at the end of that word. And "Where are you at? " NO need for an "at" at the end of that sentence. There are many spoken/written things that bug me...but I write for a living...that may be a reason.

Disclaimer: My writing on the Ledge should in no way reflect my professional writing....I'm way casual on here, and throw many rules to the wind.

[skcin]

And "Where are you at? " NO need for an "at" at the end of that sentence. There are many spoken/written things that bug me...but I write for a living...that may be a reason.




What about "where you at?" That's always nice. :laugh:

[DavidMn]

Well then, while I'm at it, it's spelled "alright." :cool: And "you're." OK, I'm done for now. Carry on.Very good.:laugh:

[Johnny Stew]

What about "where you at?" That's always nice. :laugh:My personal fave... "where you been at?" :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

My personal fave... "where you been at?" :laugh:

That is a slang that likely derives from New Orleans - only there it is "Where y'at" - hence, they are called "Yat's."

[irishgrl]

Disclaimer: My writing on the Ledge should in no way reflect my professional writing....I'm way casual on here, and throw many rules to the wind.

ditto. I have said many times that I prefer the use of "enuff" for enough, "tho" for though, "thru" for through, etc. Im kinda lazy and when you are typing as much as I am you tend to take shortcuts. I do NOT however do the "u-r" thing or "ur" which when I first see it, I pronounce "Ur" as in Sumer or Gilgamesh etc...

Ive really tried hard to cut back on the .... usage but sometimes, I just trail off.
I AM careful with my "your" and "you're" and "dese" "dems" and "dose"
ar ar!

[Livia]

http://decider.cf.huffingtonpost.com/

To the tune of "I Am The Walrus" (click on the link above so you can see the pic and hear the song)

I am me and Rummy's he, Iraq is free and we are all together
See the world run when Dick shoots his gun, see how I lie
I'm Lying...

Sitting on my own brain, waiting for the end of days
Corporation profits, Bloody oil money
I'm above the law and I'll decide what's right or wrong

I am the egg head, I'm the Commander, I'm the Decider
Koo-Koo-Kachoo

Baghdad city policeman sitting pretty little targets in a row
See how they die when the shrapnel flies see mothers cry
I'm Lying...I'm Ly-ing...I'm Lying...I'm Ly-ing

Yellow cake uranium, imaginary WMD's
Declassifying facts, exposing secret agents
Tax cuts for the wealthy leaving all the poor behind

CHORUS

Sitting in the White house garden talking to the Lord
My thoughts would be busy busy hatching If I only had a brain

CHORUS

(courtesy of Paul Hipp)

Contact: [email protected]

[Red]

That said, my biggest pet peeves is when people say, "anyways" I HATE that. There is no need for an "s" at the end of that word.

Ugh, I know! And that one is so common too, which completely drives me nuts.

[amber]

Ugh, I know! And that one is so common too, which completely drives me nuts.
It's one of my favorite things to say. :woohoo:

[irishgrl]

http://decider.cf.huffingtonpost.com/

To the tune of "I Am The Walrus" (click on the link above so you can see the pic and hear the song)

I am me and Rummy's he, Iraq is free and we are all together
See the world run when Dick shoots his gun, see how I lie
I'm Lying...

Sitting on my own brain, waiting for the end of days
Corporation profits, Bloody oil money
I'm above the law and I'll decide what's right or wrong

I am the egg head, I'm the Commander, I'm the Decider
Koo-Koo-Kachoo

Baghdad city policeman sitting pretty little targets in a row
See how they die when the shrapnel flies see mothers cry
I'm Lying...I'm Ly-ing...I'm Lying...I'm Ly-ing

Yellow cake uranium, imaginary WMD's
Declassifying facts, exposing secret agents
Tax cuts for the wealthy leaving all the poor behind

CHORUS

Sitting in the White house garden talking to the Lord
My thoughts would be busy busy hatching If I only had a brain

CHORUS

(courtesy of Paul Hipp)

Contact: [email protected]


Major points for posting this! this is hilarious!:xoxo:

[madformac]

Very funny link.. Why do I laugh every time he opens his mouth? :nod:

[skcin]

Very funny link.. Why do I laugh every time he opens his mouth? :nod:


You're better off than I, since I cry every time he opens his mouth. :distress: