Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

huntertitus wrote:I didn't say it is wrong, it just irritates me because it replaces something simple and correct
with something more complicated while posing as a more modern way to say something.

There's a useful distinction in meaning here that I think you're missing. 'Like' introduces something in the form of direct speech, without implying that it's an exact quotation. In an informal situation, you want the immediate style of direct speech, but don't necessarily remember the particular words that were said.

Aside from that, language evolves. That's why we're not all sitting here talking like Chaucer. There are times when we should resist change, such as when a new expression devalues an existing word, or where sloppy writing becomes distracting and ambiguous. I don't think this is one of those situations.

Just remembered something else that annoys me. It was busy in the DFC club-house bar last night. (FA Cup replay, which we lost BOOO !), and I helped out behind the bar. (No surprise there, then !!)

I took the steward to task when he was serving a cusomer with his second pint.

"Same again, Sir ?" The steward asked.

I had to point out after he'd finished serving that if the customer did want the same again, he'd have to vomit the first drink up !

Now that is pedantic !..... Or is it ?

.....a bit like someone asking to borrow the sugar, salt, sauce etc . Do they intend to give it back after its been in their tea, on their chips ....????

I don't like it when people copy the Australian affectation of making a statement that sound like a question by ending the sentence on a rising note

The pedant in me always wants to answer by saying "No."

huntertitus wrote:I don't like it when people copy the Australian affectation of making a statement that sound like a question by ending the sentence on a rising note.

I notice this is becoming more and more common these days with the younger generation. The sentence is often finished with a 'Yeah ?'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7595509.stm

Never start a sentence with any of these words
Basically
Actually
Clearly

"At the end of the day" is a ghastly expression

This is also very bad

"How are you?"
"Good...Yourself?"

Irate woman tells sympathetic woman of infuriating statement by another woman -

"Then she turned round and said, she said - "

Basically,it's the "turning round" that like, annoys me, yeah?

A VERY boring man I know who shall remain nameless holds me in conversation against my will by talking very slowly but with emphasis on every word as if he is imparting information of great importance and interest

He says "Now listen to this, Robin, it's a great story. You are really going to like this one..."

Drives me bananas

huntertitus wrote:"How are you?"
"Good...Yourself?"

Regardless of the answer, this is a peculiar ritual when you think about it.

"Good", "Fine", and the more traditional "Very well, thank you" all more or less translate as "I'd rather not say".

It is an odd ritual

But what other friendly greeting could one use when first meeting someone?

huntertitus wrote:It is an odd ritual

But what other friendly greeting could one use when first meeting someone?

Gdday. Owyergoin? (always remembering to raise the pitch on goin)

I concede defeat

I concede defeat

Never thought I see the day, y'know?

Mrs C. wrote:.....a bit like someone asking to borrow the sugar, salt, sauce etc . Do they intend to give it back after its been in their tea, on their chips ....????

and tissues!!!!!