The Pedants' Revolt...

[dtaai-maai]

There are many things about the use of the English language that irritate the hell out of me, but this is one of my current complaints:

The result, their first in the tournament, boosts their chances of finishing third and qualifying for the 2015 tournament in England.

It was not their first result, it was their first WIN!!

[Vital Spark]

Err, Mr. DM, I don't think you fully understand 'current speak'. So as to not offend the team that didn't get the result that they wanted (aka the 'losers'), one shouldn't use the term win or lose. It could psychologically damage them to such an extent that they might not get the result that they wanted (aka 'lose miserably') in the next game. Calling the team 'winners' would obviously give them some kind of false impression that they were better than the team that didn't get the result that they wanted. If the 'winners' lost the next game, they would obviously need counselling to cope with the fact that they didn't get the result that they expected.

VS

[Vital Spark]

I'll add another to the annoying misuse of words in the press. Hero.

Now, to my mind, a 'hero' is someone who risks life and limb to safe someone's life. In sleepy Suffolk, where nothing very exciting really happens, they have a different take on it. Read this exciting story of a man, battling against all odds to rescue a disabled man from ultimate disaster.

Ipswich: Praise for hero banger boss who leapt to aid of fan in wheelchair at Foxhall Stadium

By Jack Davies
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00 AM


IPSWICH: A banger racing boss was today hailed a hero after coming to the rescue of a disabled man who was stranded in the Foxhall Stadium car park.

The unnamed man, who is thought to have travelled to Ipswich from the Midlands with his mother to watch the Unlimited National Banger World Final, found on arriving that the tyre of his wheelchair had been punctured.
But Nick Thomas, Spedeworth Motorsport’s site manager at Foxhall, leapt to his aid.
Derek Peters, a fellow disabled racing fan, watched the events.
“I know myself when you’re in trouble you’re really in trouble,” he said.
“His only other option would have been to get the chair back in the car and go home.”

Fortunately, Mr Thomas volunteered his help.
He arranged for the man to be transported to the stadium’s disabled area in time to watch the races, and set to work on the wheelchair.
After attempts to mend the puncture failed, the manager sought a replacement tyre from Phillips Mobility in Felixstowe.
Mr Thomas said that it was only by chance that they were able to find the spare at such short notice.

“We know Phillips because we’re with them at the Suffolk Show, where we’re always next door to each other,” he said.

The tyre was delivered to Foxhall Stadium by taxi, and Mr Thomas then installed it with tools borrowed from the banger racing crews and the help of a nearby mechanic.

“He saved their day and he wouldn’t charge them a penny,” said Mr Peters.
“Banger racing gets so much bad press and this is so refreshing to see.”

Explaining why he dedicated so much time on a busy race night to help the stranded fan, Mr Thomas said: “We’re just pleased to help.

“We have responsibility for the welfare of all people who come here, not just to promote racing.”


Nice, kind man - Yes. Hero - No.

VS

[sateeb]

Awesome!!!!...........bugs the hell out of me when that word is used to describe something which at best would be mediocre.

[dtaai-maai]

And the over-use of exclamation marks!!!!

[hhfarang]

And the over-use of exclamation marks!!!!

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[migrant]

And the over-use of exclamation marks!!!!

Why???????????

[dtaai-maai]

Of course, spelling remains a high priority area for the UK education system...

_56478954_keepklear-firestation.jpg (23.71 KiB) Viewed 714 times

[Parahandy]

Well spotted, DM...

Two things got through to me about that particular piece of news.

Firstly, the contractors responsible for the ‘erroneous spelling’ admitted afterwards that it was “A reminder to all our staff to double-check their work.” No, it wasn’t. It was a reminder not to employ illiterate morons to do anything complicated like writing. Leave that sort of thing to the professionals.

Secondly, the wonderful people of the fire brigade also admitted that “the erroneous spelling had been brought to their attention via Facebook.” Facebook?! Is it me? Would it not have been possible to walk outside and just look at it, or is that not in their job description or something?

Where are my pills?

P.

[Spitfire]

A truly indefensible moronic mistake.

Even more moronic that nobody else in the illiterate painter's team noticed it either, or that anyone from the fire station bothered to check it.........or even see it on their way in to work.

The wind just whistles through the ears of so many these days.