Words in the wrong context

[dar512]

The use of 'anxious' when the word should be 'eager' bugs the snot out of me. Yes, I know that some dictionaries now have that as one possible meaning. Writing guides still strongly recommend using them as originally defined.

I understand about the whole 'living language' argument. But it seems to me that, in cases like these, the language is the worse for it. Words that once had a precise and useful meaning are now more bland and less useful.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by dar512

The use of 'anxious' when the word should be 'eager' bugs the snot out of me. Yes, I know that some dictionaries now have that as one possible meaning. Writing guides still strongly recommend using them as originally defined.

I understand about the whole 'living language' argument. But it seems to me that, in cases like these, the language is the worse for it. Words that once had a precise and useful meaning are now more bland and less useful.

Oh oh oh...I hate it when someone uses "yet" when they mean "still" as in "Do you have that recipe yet?" What they mean to ask you is if you kept the recipe because they had given it to you last month, and wondered if you still had it in your possession.

Drives me batty.

[Juniper]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Oh oh oh...I hate it when someone uses "yet" when they mean "still" as in "Do you have that recipe yet?" What they mean to ask you is if you kept the recipe because they had given it to you last month, and wondered if you still had it in your possession.

Drives me batty.

Do people where you live say "please" when they mean "what did you say?" I know it's a Cincinnati affectation - I do it, and yes, it causes problems when I'm on the phone with someone from another state. Just wondered how far away the custom goes.

Curious, though -- what do you say when you want someone to repeat something? "Huh?" "Pardon?"

[DanaC]

Usually, I'll say either "say again", or "what was that sorry?"