Why is it that language threads make us crazy?

Cloud · 03-31-2007, 01:46 PM

Threads about proper grammar and language use are consistently among the most contentious on all forums I've passed through.

Why?

Is it simply because people tend to point out other people's mistakes, and the tone therefore becomes defensive?

or is it something deeper?

Dagney · 03-31-2007, 01:53 PM

IMO, it's not the content of the thread, it's the 'holier than thou' attitude that bleeds through the postings that I think people tend to take offense to.

I'm by no measure a grammar nazi....heck, I'm lucky to have it all spelled right

03-31-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

IMO, it's not the content of the thread, it's the 'holier than thou' attitude that bleeds through the postings that I think people tend to take offense to.

I'm by no measure a grammar nazi....heck, I'm lucky to have it all spelled right

Bla,bla,bla...yadda-yadda-yadda... get a' life, just spell it correctly.

:p

TheMercenary · 03-31-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

IMO, it's not the content of the thread, it's the 'holier than thou' attitude that bleeds through the postings that I think people tend to take offense to.

I'm by no measure a grammar nazi....heck, I'm lucky to have it all spelled right

I agree with this; I see it more often in argument or disagreement.

Sheldonrs · 03-31-2007, 06:36 PM

I don't mind being corrected and I do it myself sometimes, but it pisses me off when someone acts like I just killed their first born child if I use a coma too many times or make a spelling error.

Happy Monkey · 03-31-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

I don't mind being corrected and I do it myself sometimes, but it pisses me off when someone acts like I just killed their first born child if I use a coma too many times or make a spelling error.

You fucking bastard! It's C-O-M-M-A!

Sheldonrs · 03-31-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

You fucking bastard! It's C-O-M-M-A!

Not when I get done with you!!!

xoxoxoBruce · 04-01-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

IMO, it's not the content of the thread, it's the 'holier than thou' attitude that bleeds through the postings that I think people tend to take offense to.

Absolutely, especially when the intent and meaning are clear.

wolf · 04-01-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

I'm by no measure a grammar nazi....heck, I'm lucky to have it all spelled right

Grammar Nazi really should be capitalized, and an elipsis should have only three periods and a space before and after it.

Just sayin'.

Dagney · 04-01-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

Grammar Nazi really should be capitalized, and an elipsis should have only three periods and a space before and after it.

Just sayin'.

See, this is why I'm not one

I burnt my copy of Little Brown and my Style Guides after I graduated from college.

But I certainly don't mind being corrected, as long as the underlying tone isn't 'I'm better than you are, neener neener neener.' Because, well, that just cheeses my goat more than you would ever believe.

elSicomoro · 03-31-2007, 02:01 PM

We used to be much harder on people for that sort of thing here back in the day. I look back at that time and chuckle now.

ravenranter · 03-31-2007, 03:46 PM

will use of lower case really offend people? i'm intelligent enough, but lazy.

Urbane Guerrilla · 04-02-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravenranter

will use of lower case really offend people? i'm intelligent enough, but lazy.

If you want to exhibit good waterfowl management, capitalize when required. Otherwise, it looks like both your Shift keys are broken, and left unrepaired. Lame? You make the call.

Some wag just called no-caps writing "e.e. mail."

Quote:

What the HELL am I doing in this thread ?????

Risking a spanking. With the ball gag and other bondage gear, or without? -- getting out the naughty toys is going to extra trouble.

Ellipsis: dot space dot space dot. Simply trailing off at the end of a sentence, three or more dots...

Anybody who can actually use a coma is frightfully clever. I suppose it's a bit less clever to tell someone else he could use one.

For stylistic and semantic atrocity, there is nothing in the English language to beat The Eye of Argon. Of which the less said the better -- except that it's the basis of a perennial amusement at Fantasy and Science Fiction conventions. They sit around in a reading circle and pass a typescript from hand to hand...

...And try to read it aloud without breaking up. Once you've started to giggle, you must pass it to the next reader.

03-31-2007, 06:39 PM

Try and realize it is not about you, control freaks have issues and it is just them working them out on your post. It is best to just make a joke about it or another post with more commas.

SteveDallas · 03-31-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Try and realize it is not about you, control freaks have issues and it is just them working them out on your post.

This is a run-on sentence.

03-31-2007, 01:46 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Why is it that language threads make us crazy? Threads about proper grammar and language use are consistently among the most contentious on all forums I've passed through. Why? Is it simply because people tend to point out other people's mistakes, and the tone therefore becomes defensive? or is it something deeper? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

03-31-2007, 01:53 PM	#2
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	IMO, it's not the content of the thread, it's the 'holier than thou' attitude that bleeds through the postings that I think people tend to take offense to. I'm by no measure a grammar nazi....heck, I'm lucky to have it all spelled right __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

03-31-2007, 06:36 PM	#5
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	I don't mind being corrected and I do it myself sometimes, but it pisses me off when someone acts like I just killed their first born child if I use a coma too many times or make a spelling error. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

03-31-2007, 03:46 PM	#12
ravenranter Mystical Miscreant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: asteroid B-12 Posts: 46	will use of lower case really offend people? i'm intelligent enough, but lazy. __________________ "One never ought to listen to the flowers..." - The Little Prince

03-31-2007, 02:01 PM	#11
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	We used to be much harder on people for that sort of thing here back in the day. I look back at that time and chuckle now.

03-31-2007, 06:39 PM	#14
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	Try and realize it is not about you, control freaks have issues and it is just them working them out on your post. It is best to just make a joke about it or another post with more commas.

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