The Official Henry Higgins Thread

[JeanFromBNA]

Another vote for Valley Girl Speech.  I'm like sooo over that, but they go, "it's like freedom of speech, and stuff!" 

[Chonsil]

That reminds me of something funny one of my mom's friends told me once...she went on a date with a guy to a restaurant, and he asked her if she wanted some "Hor durveys."  Then later on he asked her if she'd like to visit the "buff-ette."  Hee hee hee.  She said, "Well, at least he tried."

Actually, I have to watch as I'll intentionally mispronounce some of these words when I'm kidding around (horse durs, et voila (pronouncing the 't'), etc). That's fine when it's just my husband and I (okay, now having serious crisis with you all reading this and wondering if I have that right), but it's lately occurred to me that some of my friends aren't going to know that I'm kidding and they all think I haven't a clue about the pronunciation.

And then I have to bite my tounge when I hear canapes (sorry, not sure how to put in the accent) pronounced as canopies.

"Febuary."

It's February.

I posted this on another thread and was informed that "Febuary" is also correct pronunciation; I then looked it up in the dictionary to confirm it.  Still, I prefer to hear "February" and actually pride myself on being able to pronounce it this way! 

And what's the common thought on sherbet or sherbert?

[sweedetobee]

I hate it when people use quotation marks as emphasis! It makes no sense and just bothers me on a really deep visceral level every time I see it.

I do that - sorry!!!!!!!!!!! 
This is actually a very interesting thread and I might just print it out so that I can remember some of the ways to improve my spoken and written English.

[DottyG]

when it's just my husband and I (okay, now having serious crisis with you all reading this and wondering if I have that right)[/i

Break it down.  Would you say "when it's just I" or "when it's just me"?  [The answer is "me" ]

[Just Lori]

Are adverbs dying? I hope not.

As a grammar junkie, I must share this "Batman and Robin" episode:

Robin: “You can’t get away from Batman that easy!”
Batman: “Easily.”
Robin: “Easily.”
Batman: “Good grammar is essential at all times, Robin.”
Robin: “Thank you.”
Batman: “You’re welcome.”

(It's even funnier if you can imagine Burt Ward's expression as Batman corrects him.)

[Just Lori]

Compose and comprise.

Comprise means to include or contain:  The rock comprises three minerals.

Compose means to create or make up:  The rock is composed of three minerals.

The rock is not comprised of three minerals.

 

[fklwmn]

Another:

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

In my house Lulubelle would likely reply "May I ask who's calling?" of "I'm sorry you have the wrong number!" since anyone who knows Lulubelle, also knows Lulubelle is the only one who answers her phone. but if she were not dodging telemarketers, Lulubelle would reply with "Speaking"

I'm not complaining about other methods of identifying oneself on the phone. I'm only correcting the grammar involved in saying "This is her."

ahhh yes. I should have been sure I specified that my tongue was firmly in my cheek when I posted that

[Brentwood]

Or as Fred Sanford called them: Horse divers.

And thus began the popularity of the word "appetizers."

[Brentwood]

Another vote for Valley Girl Speech.  I'm like sooo over that, but they go, "it's like freedom of speech, and stuff!" 

Nobody "goes" anymore. They "like." 

I'm like, really? No way! And she's like, no he actually said that to her, and I'm like, in class and all? And she's like, yeah in class!

[Brentwood]

That reminds me of something funny one of my mom's friends told me once...she went on a date with a guy to a restaurant, and he asked her if she wanted some "Hor durveys."  Then later on he asked her if she'd like to visit the "buff-ette."  Hee hee hee.  She said, "Well, at least he tried."

Actually, I have to watch as I'll intentionally mispronounce some of these words when I'm kidding around (horse durs, et voila (pronouncing the 't'), etc). That's fine when it's just my husband and I (okay, now having serious crisis with you all reading this and wondering if I have that right), but it's lately occurred to me that some of my friends aren't going to know that I'm kidding and they all think I haven't a clue about the pronunciation.

And then I have to bite my tounge when I hear canapes (sorry, not sure how to put in the accent) pronounced as canopies.

"Febuary."

It's February.

I posted this on another thread and was informed that "Febuary" is also correct pronunciation; I then looked it up in the dictionary to confirm it.  Still, I prefer to hear "February" and actually pride myself on being able to pronounce it this way! 

And what's the common thought on sherbet or sherbert?

The word is sherbet.

This is thread is reminding me of my mother's fondness for saying "Horse divorce" in reference to hors d'oeuvres. I have no idea where it came from. I haven't heard her say it in years!

[Brentwood]

Are adverbs dying? I hope not.

As a grammar junkie, I must share this "Batman and Robin" episode:

Robin: “You can’t get away from Batman that easy!”
Batman: “Easily.”
Robin: “Easily.”
Batman: “Good grammar is essential at all times, Robin.”
Robin: “Thank you.”
Batman: “You’re welcome.”

(It's even funnier if you can imagine Burt Ward's expression as Batman corrects him.)

I love it!

[Cz. Burrito]

My personal pet peeve would be the sentence "Axe Miss Slartibart to borrow you a liberry book."  I get it a lot, and it just makes me cry.

I despise with a passion the misuse of borrow.  Lend.  Lend!  LEND!!!

And irregardless.  Lets not just discuss "irregardless."

[Venus193]

Just where is "Febuary" sanctioned?   

[Scritzy]

Just where is "Febuary" sanctioned?   

On television, apparently. I hear it mispronounced all too frequently.

[Venus193]

My mother used to blame television for any and all of her own poor English.  Oy.