The Official Henry Higgins Thread

[Venus193]

We've all seen My Fair Lady in which the rather pompous Professor Henry Higgins endeavors to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear through the meticulous teaching of proper grammar and pronunciation. 

In this game, you are Prof. Higgins.  If etiquette did not frown upon correcting grammar, non-existent words, and improper pronunciation, which are the examples you would correct most frequently?

For me it would be things like improper use of "I" and "me", as in "My dad took my brother and I to the zoo," which should be "My dad took my brother and me to the zoo."

[DottyG]

I'm with you on the "I vs me" thing.  It'd be one of my top ones as well.

I think I'd also go with incorrect usages of common phrases.

For instance, it's "music soothes the savage BREAST" (not beast).  Infuriates me to hear it said the incorrect way.

And, it's "I COULDN'T care less" (instead of "I could care less") and "you have another THINK coming" (not "another thing coming").

[HushHush]

"For instance, it's "music soothes the savage BREAST" (not beast).  Infuriates me to hear it said the incorrect way."

Really?  I've never heard this at all!  I wonder how it all got started...

Charlotte

[artk2002]

"For instance, it's "music soothes the savage BREAST" (not beast).  Infuriates me to hear it said the incorrect way."

Really?  I've never heard this at all!  I wonder how it all got started...

Charlotte

It's a quote by William Congreve

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast"

[Brentwood]

"It was my friend and I's day off."

No, that would be "It was my friend's and my day off."

I am just getting started. Don't mind me.

[Brentwood]

"you have another THINK coming" (not "another thing coming").

Bless you. That one has been sticking in my craw for years.

[Lisbeth]

"Febuary."

It's February.

[sweedetobee]

I really want to comment on savage breasts but that's not the point of this thread

Anyway, if I could morph into a public corrector I think I go after all the people who use "text message speak" in any situation other than a text message. I know, it is not offensive really, and I do understand the need for shortcuts when you're typing a text message on a small cellphone, but I want to tell U how much it anoyz me when U use the stupid shortcuts and I will NOT C U L8er!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Don't use it in email, don't use it in a chat room, and don't EVER use it in written correspondence.

Other than that, I hate its vs. it's and there vs. their.

[Brentwood]

More peeves:

For all intensive purposes instead of for all intents and purposes.

"Supposably"

Johnny and her went out instead of She and Johnny went out.

[Brentwood]

Another:

When Lulubelle answers the phone and the caller asks for Lulubelle, Lulubelle should respond, "This is she," not "This is her."

[sweedetobee]

Here's something sort of sad, sort of funny - my mom's friend was showing a house (she's in real estate) and the person commented on the faux marble. But pronounced faux as if the A was silent and the X was spoken. You know what that sounds like......?  Since it was a client my mom's friend did not comment but I can speak for her and tell you that she'd like to post that answer if she was online

[lesherb]

I have noticed, recently, some people's habit of dropping the "ly" at the end of adverbs. 

'I ate my hamburger quick',  instead of 'I ate my hamburger quickly'.

Also, I cringe at the mispronunciation of nuclear. 

[Brentwood]

I have noticed, recently, some people's habit of dropping the "ly" at the end of adverbs. 

'I ate my hamburger quick',  instead of 'I ate my hamburger quickly'.

Also, I cringe at the mispronunciation of nuclear. 

Yes! I feel for the lives of adverbs.

I heard these recently on television...

Heard on a commercial: "You can cook the food quicker."

Heard on a newsmagazine show: "It helps people look closer."

Heard on ABC news: "Delta won't go down easy."

Are adverbs dying? I hope not.

[HogwartsAlum]

This has nothing to do with grammar, but I hate it when people affect that Valley Girl accent thing - think teenage girls.  I also hate this one commercial for some stupid fishing rod where the guy can't even talk properly - he says, "Cast your hook at the touch of a buh-on."  WHERE'S THE 'T'?  Then later on he says, "And a free Arnold Marh-in video." Hire someone who can speak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also "irregardless." Other people have mentioned that one and it bugs me too. And "orientated." It's ORIENTED.

[cheyne]

This is a common one in Etiquette Hell stories and even in this discussion forum.

"My friend and myself were going....."

How about "My friend and I were going..."