Comments on: Which Is It?

By: anthony

anthony — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:19:00 +0000

Yeah, I was just being funny. Turns out that “cut-and-dried,” though, is another one of those idioms that’s shifted its meaning over time. It apparently was first used in the 1700’s to describe something that was clichéd, lacking in freshness like the “cut-and-dried” herbs at the market. Eventually it came to mean obvious, direct or uncomplicated. While we’re on the shifting idioms thing… how about “awful,” which used to mean “capable of inspiring awe,” and now just means “really really bad?”And has anyone ever had to explain the differences between “effect” as a noun, “effect” as a verb, “affect” as a noun, and “affect” as a verb–and why you can’t just use them all interchangeably?Nice going, Bill. Had to start a turf war with “word people,” didn’t ya. 😉

By: The Annoying one

The Annoying one — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:40:00 +0000

My word people, the DIXIE CHICKS said unchartered… what greater authority do you need?Gilligan ain’t got nothing on the Chicks.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:20:00 +0000

you are all wrong. caleb

By: Lynne

Lynne — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:11:00 +0000

I was only quoting Sonya in saying “just because somebody says it doesn’t make it right.” I know that language changes to reflect usage… don’t we know someone who works for the dictionary that has explained this to us? 🙂 You just wanted a little playful banter with your holding to the “unchartered” thing. I know you!

By: Willow

Willow — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 23:08:00 +0000

Wait just a minute! I do not still contend that “unchartered” is correct. I have heard it said, and thought it might be correct, but I recall bringing this up with tworivers about a year ago, and her opinion being Almost Always Correct, I was instantly convinced that it’s “uncharted.” So this debate was settled for me long ago in a brief conversation with The Authority on Almost All Things.On the other hand, if one WANTED to use “unchartered,” it would mean “uncommissioned,” or in other words, “incomplete.” As if the map (“chart”) had never been paid for (“commissioned”) by anybody, and therefore was not done. Very similar idea to “uncharted.” Unfortunately, Lynne, it’s not true that “because someone said it doesn’t make it right.” If many people say it, or at least write it, lexicogrophers will tell that indeed does make it “right.” Language changes to reflect usage, not the other way around. That’s why people say “I could care less” when they really mean “I couldn’t care less,” and people use “literally” to mean “figuratively,” (the audience was “literally laughing their heads off” – really? Imagine that… literally), and why “cleave” has come to mean “separate” and “dust” has come to mean BOTH spread dust AND remove dust.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 21:53:00 +0000

uncharted. unquestionably. some of my pet peeves are “could of” instead of “could have”, “chaise lounge” instead of “chaise longue” (the latter is correct, as the french translates to ‘long chair’ – chaise lounge makes no sense – even though google gives the wrong spelling more hits! – google counts usage, but not necessarily proper usage), and “nauseous” (which means to cause nausea) instead of “nauseated” (to have nausea), but i suppose the last one isn’t a homophonic problem.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 21:53:00 +0000

I’ll speak for Anthony. I’m pretty darn sure he meant to say “cut and drive,” just like he meant to say “supposably” and that he thought “different,” even though we All Know (don’t we???) that that isn’t right. He’s being funny, because he is.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:30:00 +0000

Okay, I have a question for Anthony. Have I been wrong my entire life in thinking that the expression was “cut and dry”? You said “cut and drive”. Was this to make a point, or have I missed it?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:56:00 +0000

Sign me up for “uncharted.” Sorry, Bill. -mbt

By: etc. whatever

etc. whatever — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:44:00 +0000

We consult one of the greatest examples of late 20th century American poetry for the definitive word:The weather started getting rough,the tiny ship was tossed.If not for the courage of the fearless crew,the Minnow would be lost; the Minnow would be lost.The ship took ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle,with Gilligan, the Skipper too,the Millionaire, and his Wife,the Movie Star, the Professor and Mary Ann,here on Gilligan's Isle.Gilligan proves everything!Now, try not to hum it the rest of the day...