Spelling does count = revisited

[Rachel]

As I age, I find I make the most mistakes with homonyms, even though I am well aware of the different meanings and proper word usage. I guess that puts me into the lazy category for not proof reading carefully. I'm generally not as good a speller as I used to be either. Even though I value being correct in my printed and spoken word, I'd rather not feel so compelled to be accurate that I pass on making a comment.

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by catland

(btw - who wants to break the news to Freckles that she and I live in "Oregon" )

I believe here in Ohio it is "Orygun" of maybe "Ori-gone"...at least that is how many pronounce the suburb of Toledo.

But what my BIL tells me is that the State of is pronounced more like Organ.

I guess everybody says things a little differently

[Tonya]

Originally posted by Rachel
As I age, I find I make the most mistakes with homonyms, even though I am well aware of the different meanings and proper word usage. I guess that puts me into the lazy category for not proof reading carefully. I'm generally not as good a speller as I used to be either. Even though I value being correct in my printed and spoken word, I'd rather not feel so compelled to be accurate that I pass on making a comment.

I don't even remember what a homonym is. LOL...it's been to long since school.

[Freckles]

Originally posted by catland
(btw - who wants to break the news to Freckles that she and I live in "Oregon" )

It's not news; you live across the Willamette. I'm closer to Mt. Hood.

[catland]

Originally posted by Freckles
It's not news; you live across the Willamette. I'm closer to Mt. Hood.

LOL (but how many PetTalkers out there besides you and me and Luckies4mes that know how to pronounce "Willamette"?)

[AmberLee]

Originally posted by catland
LOL (but how many PetTalkers out there besides you and me and Luckies4mes that know how to pronounce "Willamette"?)

Well I'll try. Is ... WILLaMet ... anywhere close to correct?

[Karen]

A homonym is what they call it when two words are spelled differently, and have different meanings, but sound the same.

You're and your are homonyms. So are two and to and too. So are pear and pair. And knew and new.

You're is only properly used as a contraction for "you are."

Your is used to indicate a possesive.

So if you are going to the store in order to return more than one pair of shoes, it could be confusing to hear, but clear when spelled correctly.

You're going to the store, two pairs of your new shoes need to be returned. You knew that might happen when you bought them, too!

[Nomilynn]

Originally posted by catland
LOL (but how many PetTalkers out there besides you and me and Luckies4mes that know how to pronounce "Willamette"?)

willAMette

My parents live in Sisters, Oregon.

[carole]

Lets all see if you can pronounce this one NONGATAHA?

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by Karen
A homonym is what they call it when two words are spelled differently, and have different meanings, but sound the same.

You're and your are homonyms. So are two and to and too. So are pear and pair. And knew and new.

You're is only properly used as a contraction for "you are."

Your is used to indicate a possesive.

So if you are going to the store in order to return more than one pair of shoes, it could be confusing to hear, but clear when spelled correctly.

You're going to the store, two pairs of your new shoes need to be returned. You knew that might happen when you bought them, too!

Karen, thank you for posting that. The "your/you're" "to/too/two" "it's/its" grammar errors irk me. But one I can't figure out how people do is "No" for "know." Writing for attorneys for a living keeps my spelling and grammar eagle eye on. Word's grammar checker is dumb too - doesn't know the difference between there, they're and their.

[Tonya]

Alright...two serious questions. I'm trying to type a letter and my spell check is bothering me.

Why would greatful be spelled grateful? Grate as in grate cheese? Wouldn't great as in good thing make more sense?

Also, I always thought it was 'beckoned call' It makes sense, because you beckon people. But apparently, the correct phrase is beck and call. Huh?

[Kater]

I *think* grateful is derved from the Latin (Greek?) word "gratus" meaning pleasing. Not sure.
Think of gratitude instead of your cheese grater - that might help.
As for "beck and call" - I've never heard of it.

[Tonya]

Originally posted by Kater
I *think* grateful is derved from the Latin (Greek?) word "gratus" meaning pleasing. Not sure.
Think of gratitude instead of your cheese grater - that might help.
As for "beck and call" - I've never heard of it.

Thank you. Beck and call as in "She expects me to be at her beck and call." I saw it spelled that way in the Enquirer magazine, so I went and looked it up, that is the correct way. But I always thought beckoned makes sense. Because when you want someone you beckon for them or call for them.

[Kater]

Haha, of course! It didn't click until you used it in a sentence. I can see how you could hear it as "beckoned call". (In fact, if you do a search for it on google you will see that a *lot* of people think it's "beckoned call".)
It's funny how sayings can get mangled in our minds, often due to mishearing. Kids are really good at mangling expressions! I know I used to say some pretty strange things when I was a kid....

[Tonya]

I went to my husband all matter of factly and said "So, how do you spell beckoned call and greatful?" I thought I was going to enlighten him too. He goes "B-E-C-K A-N-D C-A-L-L and G-R-A-T-E-F-U-L. Why?" Boy was that humbling. My husband is the worst speller that I know. How did I miss this? It took me 26 years to finally learn this?!