At 13:12 12/05/2000, colin wrote:
>irregardless
>
>I first noticed this word a little while ago and assumed that
>it had been a mistake. I have now seen it sevral times in print
>from Americans and heard an American say the word on a news program.
I would be surprised to see the word in the New York Times, but not in
casual writing (email), nor am I any longer surprised when I hear some
news reader speak poorly (and some networks are worse than others).
>Are they all making a mistake or is that how you say 'regardless'?
Mistake? All my teachers would say so. :)
It's not how I say "regardless", but I hear it with increasing
frequency in casual conversation. All languages change with time,
what is "incorrect" usage now may later become "accepted" usage.
However, all my dictionaries state "irregardless" is substandard,
an unnecessary redundancy.
John in San Jose
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