"Whenever" and "Seen"

[Randi]

I have a new question... when do you use "assume" and when do you use "presume"? Oh and surmise?

And a few more...

speak/talk

stamina/perseverance

explain/elucidate

Anyone know?

[Randi]

I went back to read this thread, it's actually quite informative and I think I've got most of it sorted out concerning "lay down and "lie" down. You "lie" down to have a rest, and he "lay" down to have a rest - or should that be he "laid" down to have a rest? No, I think it is: He "laid" the blanket on the bed, or he "laid" the table.

Now, if you lie to someone about something (not telling the truth), is it: "He lied to you" in past tense? And... he will never "lie" to you?

[krazyaboutkatz]

"at"....as in "where's it at?" "Where is it?" The "at" is useless, unnecessary and hurts my ears.

This also drives me crazy and I hear it on a daily basis because this is the way my boss talks.

I also don't like it when people say ain't. I think it makes them seem so uneducated. My co-worker says this word a lot.

The word "seen" being misused has also always bothered me.

I've also been guilty about ending sentences with prepositions and I've done this on Pet Talk.

[cassiesmom]

"at"....as in "where's it at?" "Where is it?" The "at" is useless, unnecessary and hurts my ears.

ES, this is proof that you don't live in Chicago anymore where's it at is a total Chicago thing!
Here is a lesson on Chicago-speak: http://www.seanparnell.com/Chicago/Chicagoese.htm

And Pomtzu, I think "waiting on" might be a Chicago thing too... we're just waiting on Elyse to get here, and then we'll head out.

My future-nephew-in-law is from New Jersey and we have had a lot of laughs over pronouncing marry, merry, and Mary.

I've got two current pet peeves ... nuclear- the word is not noo-kyoo-lar, it's noo-clee-ar. Same thing with jewelry -- the word is not jew-luh-ry, it's jew-el-ry, just like it looks.

And the other is voila. It's from the French language ... say vwa-la, because the V is not silent. Note that it's not spelled wa-la, either.

[Edwina's Secretary]

ES, this is proof that you don't live in Chicago anymore where's it at is a total Chicago thing!

And Pomtzu, I think "waiting on" might be a Chicago thing too... we're just waiting on Elyse to get here, and then we'll head out.

I am a Northsider....that's why!

On the northside, neighborhoods are defined by parks on the southside by parish!

One other Chicagoese that annnoyed me was "I am going by my mother's after work." I would always ask..."Do you wave?"

[cassiesmom]

One other Chicagoese that annoyed me was "I am going by my mother's after work." I would always ask..."Do you wave?"

Oh, my goodness - "going by there" is big in my extended family. Pronounced in true Chicago style - goin by dere. It's the answer to the question "Are you going to (place)?" Are you going to the bakery today? Yep, I'm goin by dere, what kin I bring ya?

I was just thinking about this thread this morning! I have a plastic cup from Culver's restaurant - the slogan on it says "America's favorites made fresh". And every time I use it, I wonder ... shouldn't it be America's favorites, freshly made? I am so bad with adverbs!

[smokey the elder]

One that bugs me is "all right" morphing into "allright" or even "alright", but this could be language evolution (devolution?) in real time.

There's another one but I had a brain f@rt and can't think of it!

[kokopup]

smokey te elder
One that bugs me is "all right" morphing into "allright" or even "alright", but this could be language evolution (devolution?) in real time.

Although (another shortened phrase) alright is considered non-standard english it didn't just morph, since it has been in use since the 1880's. Although another non-standard has been in use since the 1400's. Altogether I would say they are pretty much a part of our language like it or not.

[cassiesmom]

What is the difference between incidents and incidences?

I heard a story on news radio last night about a number of armed robberies and the reporter kept using the word "incidences" referring to the individual robberies, when I thought she should have used "incidents".

And I always have to think before I write then/than. Usually in the context of if/then: "If I go to Target, then I can pick up my dry cleaning on the way home." vs "I'd rather go to Target than the dry cleaner first".

[finn's mom]

I've got two current pet peeves ... nuclear- the word is not noo-kyoo-lar, it's noo-clee-ar. Same thing with jewelry -- the word is not jew-luh-ry, it's jew-el-ry, just like it looks.

Oh my gosh, those bug me, too! Especially jewelry! I HATE those 'cash for gold' commercials where one or two of the actors always mispronounces jewelry! It drives me completely bananas, it sounds incredibly dumb to me.