On Dec 19, 2007 6:26 AM, Julia Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/index.cfm?page=673903 > > This is a list of words that get misused a lot.
The Economist is a British publication, so the usages (and spelling) are not necessarily the same as we'd consider proper on this side of the pond. Around here, I don't think it is particularly uncomplimentary to say that a salesperson or company is aggressive. And we spell etiology without that silly extra 'a.' And a brokerage is and does over here. Etc. As for "among" and "between," that one annoys me when people misuse it... and every time I have to use the BETWEEN operator in SQL, I'm slightly annoyed. In SQL, BETWEEN 1 AND 10 means 1 to 10 inclusive, even though the actual integers between 1 and 10 actually are 2 through 9. But I manage. I hate "centered around," no matter how you spell center/centre. Back when integrated circuits were less common, I was frequently amused by the notion of discreet electronics. We could probably use more of them. I see "disinterested" misused more and more. "Frankenstein was not a monster, but its creator. " I think this is just pickiness about metaphor, which drives a lot of language. The word has come to mean the monster. At least over here. "*Haver* means to *talk nonsense*, not *dither*,* swither *or *waver*. " Haver? Swither? These are English words? My mother the English teacher despises the word "hopefully." I'm not so bothered. Sometimes I use it just to see if she'll still correct me. Hopefully, some day she won't. A sad omission -- phase and faze. Every time I read that someone was phased (or unphased), I think Star Trek and its phasers. At least I think those were phasers, not fazers. Nick -- Nick Arnett [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages: 408-904-7198 _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
