Mine used to frequently remind us that "nice is not a nice word", in other words, it means nothing precisely because - when thrown about, or tossed about, casually - it lacks specificity.
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Words or phrases that annoy you (even if you can't explain why) . . .
- Thread starter usagora
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If I only knew the answer
Why do most people use only incorrectly and, more importantly, why do most people not care that other people use only incorrectly?
I understand that rules of grammar can fall out of favor when they don't serve to make your meaning clear (example: who versus whom), but in this case the meaning does matter, and you have to rely on context for the listener/reader to know what's meant.
Let's compare three ways of writing that you stock up on Pop Tarts only on the weekend.
If you're speaking, you can put emphasis on buy or groceries or on Saturday to indicate the meaning of the word only, but you can't do that when writing.
What I find interesting is that most people use variation #1 and most people assume it means variation #3, yet I never hear complaints about it. If you were an editor or proofreader, would you correct the usage of only, or are the rules about it simply lost to history, and good riddance?
Why do most people use only incorrectly and, more importantly, why do most people not care that other people use only incorrectly?
I understand that rules of grammar can fall out of favor when they don't serve to make your meaning clear (example: who versus whom), but in this case the meaning does matter, and you have to rely on context for the listener/reader to know what's meant.
Let's compare three ways of writing that you stock up on Pop Tarts only on the weekend.
1. I only buy groceries on Saturday.
Technically, this says that on Saturday I don't sell groceries or steal groceries, just buy groceries.
People have to assume you meant something different than what you said.
2. I buy only groceries on Saturday.
Technically this says that on Saturday you don't buy iMacs or iPads, just groceries.
Again, people have to assume you meant something different than what you said.
3. I buy groceries only on Saturday.
Technically, this says that you don't buy groceries on Sunday or Tuesday, just on Saturday.
That's what you meant, and people will understand that.
Technically, this says that on Saturday I don't sell groceries or steal groceries, just buy groceries.
People have to assume you meant something different than what you said.
2. I buy only groceries on Saturday.
Technically this says that on Saturday you don't buy iMacs or iPads, just groceries.
Again, people have to assume you meant something different than what you said.
3. I buy groceries only on Saturday.
Technically, this says that you don't buy groceries on Sunday or Tuesday, just on Saturday.
That's what you meant, and people will understand that.
If you're speaking, you can put emphasis on buy or groceries or on Saturday to indicate the meaning of the word only, but you can't do that when writing.
What I find interesting is that most people use variation #1 and most people assume it means variation #3, yet I never hear complaints about it. If you were an editor or proofreader, would you correct the usage of only, or are the rules about it simply lost to history, and good riddance?
You make several good points there. This could be a long discussion... 
So, "to boldly go where no man has gone before", I would add:
Option 1, could also mean "I spend every Saturday buying groceries. That's what I do all day. I know right? It sucks to be me..."
Option 2, I doubt anyone would say that. Maybe they do.
Option 3 is the most logical and easily articulated in this context and therefore, in my opinion, is correct.
So, "to boldly go where no man has gone before", I would add:
Option 1, could also mean "I spend every Saturday buying groceries. That's what I do all day. I know right? It sucks to be me..."
Option 2, I doubt anyone would say that. Maybe they do.
Option 3 is the most logical and easily articulated in this context and therefore, in my opinion, is correct.
I would correct it to reflect what the person actually does/meant. So yes. It's not even about "rules" to my mind as they simply mean different things.
Just saw a phrase for the very first time and I'm already annoyed. Someone made a helpful (but not revelatory) comment on a post and one person responded thusly: "This is such a goated comment."
Meaning it was useful or helpful, I believe. (If it's a reference to "greatest of all time," well, the comment wasn't that amazing.)
Meaning it was useful or helpful, I believe. (If it's a reference to "greatest of all time," well, the comment wasn't that amazing.)
Fascinating.
True.
Context matters when making such judgment calls (and I have worked as an editor, in the public service, - for a year, where I was required to make such judgment calls).
If the document (or paper) in question required exquisite precision in language - and meaning - (for example, if this was a legal document, carrying legal force), one may be required to be pedantic, or not.
Then, also, commonly understood meanings and usages - what did the person actually mean? - also may need to be taken into account.
Agreed.
That ("such a goated comment" - not just slang, but yet another example of this tiresome tendency to turn a noun into a verb) is a complete and utter linguistic horror, a monstrous mutilation of language.
I’m guilty of this. I took a screenshot of your post to remind me of this and to share with a few friends. I’ve re-read it about a dozen times. I agree with you. I was raised very middle class and graduated from college, but I don’t think I would have ever recognized this as an issue until I read your post.
What I’m struggling with is actually saying #3 to someone. To my ear it sounds a bit Downton Abbey, as if I’m saying this during afternoon tea. Maybe I just need to get used to it. 🧐
To be fair, it's actually turning an acroynm into a verb. 😉 In this case "goat" doesn't stand for the animal 🐐 but as short-hand for G.O.A.T, or "greatest of all time."
These slang words don't typically bother me much because they are so short lived. Goat might actually last a bit longer (although I doubt in verb form), but language is always evolving among young people as they try to differentiate themselves from adults. I think it's pretty interesting how it ebbs and flows and I think it just happens faster now with global communication.
You don't need to (well, you don't need to do any of this, but I digress) because in speech, the phrase being modified by "only" (in this case, "on Saturday") is made clear by the emphasis placed on the word "Saturday". Only in writing is it "ambiguous", but I would argue that it's not really ambiguous because the meaning is easily understood. That said, if one wants to be as clear as possible, then "only" should be placed closer to the phrase or word it's modifying (in this case, immediately before "on Saturday").
Note that this doesn't work with all adverbs. "I never shop on Saturday" is the only way to express this sense. "I shop never on Saturday" sounds awkward, even to the most prescriptive grammarians.
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Compare "I shop on Saturdays only", which is legit but sounds a bit unusual, with "I shop on Saturdays never", which doesn't even seem legit.
Other words or phrases could also occupy the final spot:
I shop on Saturdays without fail.
I shop on Saturdays when I can.
I shop on Saturdays occasionally.
I shop on Saturdays infrequently.
Option 2 was I buy only groceries on Saturday.
I agree that people aren't likely to us that phrasing, even if it's technically correct.
However, if you're writing a Valentine card to someone, you might write I love only you (option 2) in preference to I only love you (option 1).
Well yes, but you would need to add "... on Saturday" for there to be any real equivalence:
"I love only you on Saturday"
"I love only you on Saturday"
Here's one I just came across: concertize - meaning to perform in a concert. Very strange.
Then, in the weeks before King Charles' coronation, there was 'coronate'.
It's crowned, not coronate. You are crowned in the ceremony of your coronation.
Well, I would be, if the kingdom that I descended from still existed.
I don't know about all you zombies*.
* Look up the reference. It blew my mind when I read it at 14.
It's crowned, not coronate. You are crowned in the ceremony of your coronation.
Well, I would be, if the kingdom that I descended from still existed.
I don't know about all you zombies*.
* Look up the reference. It blew my mind when I read it at 14.
Schwing. Not necessarily annoyed by it, but it's one of those I've started to use after hearing others (often older people) say it. Supposedly an exclamation of excitement. Definitely one of those that isn't effective when overused, so I've used it sparingly.
This is from Wayne’s World, an SNL skit turned movie. I’m surprised people still use it.
Wayne's World (film) - Wikipedia
I’ll show my age by bringing this up, but I’m ok with that.
A while back I was having a conversation with a guy at the Apple Store about watch bands. He showed me the band he was currently wearing and said “this is my latest I’ve been rockin’”.
With all respect, there was nothing about this guy related to a love of rock music. He looked as plain and suburban as I do. I’d guess he was on his 40s. I would have just said this is my new watch band. Do we all have to be cool and exciting?
Similarly, we all know the phrase often said on game shows when someone wants to say hi to a friend or family member back home “I want to give a shout out to..”
Can we just say hi? Is that too Leave it to Beaver?
I’m not sure it’s the slang that bothers me. I said “cool beans” during college years more than any human should. It’s the desire to sound cool that just hits me.
I have a friend with long hair who plays guitar in a rock band in Las Vegas wearing leather pants. He looks like a rocker but speaks like a kind, gentle person. He literally watches Andy Griffith with his kids. I’ve never heard him say anything to make himself sound cool.
A while back I was having a conversation with a guy at the Apple Store about watch bands. He showed me the band he was currently wearing and said “this is my latest I’ve been rockin’”.
With all respect, there was nothing about this guy related to a love of rock music. He looked as plain and suburban as I do. I’d guess he was on his 40s. I would have just said this is my new watch band. Do we all have to be cool and exciting?
Similarly, we all know the phrase often said on game shows when someone wants to say hi to a friend or family member back home “I want to give a shout out to..”
Can we just say hi? Is that too Leave it to Beaver?
I’m not sure it’s the slang that bothers me. I said “cool beans” during college years more than any human should. It’s the desire to sound cool that just hits me.
I have a friend with long hair who plays guitar in a rock band in Las Vegas wearing leather pants. He looks like a rocker but speaks like a kind, gentle person. He literally watches Andy Griffith with his kids. I’ve never heard him say anything to make himself sound cool.
i used to find the phrase 'aw hell no' funny but now my classmates keep repeating it that i kinda dont like it anymore