Today I'm angry about.....

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

F*ck it. Good on them. We might as well have stuck with Mr Johnson's version otherwise? Discuss.



*runs for cover*

I'm relaxed about this. The OED records current usage, which is a job that is bigger than being an arbiter and a style guide.

I reserve my right to not like it (and act accordingly) when people use language in a way that doesn't accord with my tastes, but I can't ask much more of the OED than a little note along the lines of "this is not considered regular usage".

hmmm... whilst this is true - there are boundaries... does the same apply to spelling in common usage - or the new meaning of "squid" - as in "damp squid" to mean something that fails to live up to expectation...

despite my sweary rant - I understand that the OED simply reflects usage and does not legislate language - my anger was that it has now gone so far as to be accepted - but the OED DOES make decisions about what to include and what not to include - it isn't totally the servant of the ignorant populace!

The decisions it makes are about usage, no? As in, it has to decide how widespread a particular usage actually is, and, more generally, what the minimum threshold for inclusion is. Presumably, 'literally' as a bland intensifier is a lot more common than 'damp squid', which, I have to say, I don't think I ever actually heard!

[thebish]

The decisions it makes are about usage, no? As in, it his to decide how widespread a particular usage actually is, and, more generally, what the minimum threshold for inclusion is. Presumably, 'literally' as a bland intensifier is a lot more common than 'damp squid', which, I have to say, I don't think I ever actually heard!

nonsense! damp squid is ubiquitous!!

[Bijou Bob]

Squib!! It's squib!!!

[thebish]

Squib!! It's squib!!!

yes - that's precisely the point!!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I declare this debate to be a damp squid, literally.

[Prufrock]

I love the damp squid one! How does work in people's heads?!

“This is a massive let down, yeah, just like a damp squid“.

You'd be really pissed off if you got a damp squid.

“'Damp'? I want a fully wet one!“.

[Bruce Rioja]

If it's still available, you guys should treat yourself to a copy of this.

No thunderbox is complete without it.

[Montreal Wanderer]

F*ck it. Good on them. We might as well have stuck with Mr Johnson's version otherwise? Discuss.



*runs for cover*

I'm relaxed about this. The OED records current usage, which is a job that is bigger than being an arbiter and a style guide.

I reserve my right to not like it (and act accordingly) when people use language in a way that doesn't accord with my tastes, but I can't ask much more of the OED than a little note along the lines of "this is not considered regular usage".

Bish's quote, though accurate, seemed to indicate this was current usage. However, the actual entry in question states:

c. colloq. Used to indicate that some (freq. conventional) metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense: ‘virtually, as good as’; (also) ‘completely, utterly, absolutely’.

Now one of the most common uses, although often considered irregular in standard English since it reverses the original sense of literally (‘not figuratively or metaphorically’).

1769 F. Brooke Hist. Emily Montague IV. ccxvii. 83 He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies.
1801 Spirit of Farmers' Museum 262 He is, literally, made up of marechal powder, cravat, and bootees.
1825 J. Denniston Legends Galloway 99 Lady Kirkclaugh, who, literally worn to a shadow, died of a broken heart.
1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 105 For the last four years..I literally coined money.
1876 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Tom Sawyer ii. 20 And when the middle of the afternoon came, from being a poor poverty-stricken boy in the morning, Tom was literally rolling in wealth.

Only one of the remaining usage quotes is from this century.

[Bruce Rioja]

If anyone ever tells you that switching from Sky to BT Vision is a good idea, beat them up and then nice person them on in the chops from me. Yes, you'll save some money, but what's the point of that when, as you're watching the football, you're met with this, as the whole thing re-installs itself? On this occasion twice, one straight after the other.

[bobo the clown]

Teething problems, Bruce. Teething problems.


I could get Sky today and I don't even have it !

[bwfcdan94]

paying £155 for that pile of sh*te yesterday.

[BWFC_Insane]

If anyone ever tells you having anything to do with BT is a good idea, give them a good beating.

Sky might have issues but their customer service is a bazillion years ahead of the BT jokers.

[Bijou Bob]

.....my back. Put the fecking thing out again and now I'm walking like a geriatric who's shat himself. And it hurts.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I'm all sorts of angry today. My mini pc died yesterday. This is the pc hooked up to the telly and does all my torrents and telly etc. So I goes out to the worlds biggest (read shitest) shopping mall to get a replacement. Nope. You want a desktop pc, you can forget about mini ones. You can also forget about pretty much any. In 3 big shopping malls, some 30 odd electronics stores, including the biggest I've ever seen, you can choose from:

An overpriced really basic massive desktop. I quote "but maamsiiiiir, it is HP. Very good computer".

A stupidly priced but reasonable spec machine. This was priced about double what it is worth.

A desktop pc that fitted what I want. A bit overpriced but it'll do. "Sorry siiiiiiiir, we no have in stock. You can have this one. I give you 50 dirhams off (about 8 quid)". The display model looked like it had been kicked around the store and he thought 8 quid discount was a good deal

Feck knows what I'm going to do now

[thebish]

If anyone ever tells you that switching from Sky to BT Vision is a good idea, beat them up and then tw*t them on in the chops from me. Yes, you'll save some money, but what's the point of that when, as you're watching the football, you're met with this, as the whole thing re-installs itself? On this occasion twice, one straight after the other.

I hope it's not connected to your earlier post:

Ah yes, they're coming on Wednesday to install my BT Vision, but because I couldn't be arsed waiting I did it myself.

[Montreal Wanderer]

If anyone ever tells you that switching from Sky to BT Vision is a good idea, beat them up and then tw*t them on in the chops from me. Yes, you'll save some money, but what's the point of that when, as you're watching the football, you're met with this, as the whole thing re-installs itself? On this occasion twice, one straight after the other.

I hope it's not connected to your earlier post:

Ah yes, they're coming on Wednesday to install my BT Vision, but because I couldn't be arsed waiting I did it myself.

[Gooner Girl]

Pissed off, cross and grumpy.

[89bwfc89]

Pissed off, cross and grumpy.

oh dear! Care to share!?

[Gooner Girl]

Pissed off, cross and grumpy.

oh dear! Care to share!?

Men! Nuff said?

[89bwfc89]

Pissed off, cross and grumpy.

oh dear! Care to share!?

Men! Nuff said?

Absolutely! Go have a glass of wine!