Re: [Lingo] Re: [tlug] Correct particle to use

["Josh Glover" <jmglov@example.com>]

On 13/06/07, Godwin Stewart <gstewart@example.com> wrote:

> Crossposting to tlug@example.com removed - why it was crossposted in the
> first place is beyond me since it was shifted to this list...

Well, since the thread was born on TLUG, it seemed wrong to completely
relocate it.

But I am glad to report that this traffic has generated a few
subscriptions to Lingo, not least the Venerable Breen. ;)

> For example, I was taught to not split infinitives (snicker)...

Oh hah hah.

"To go boldly where no one has gone before..."

> "Insure" and "ensure" mean two totally different things in British
> English but AFAICS they're interchangeable in American English. In the
> UK, you insure your car. Or you ensure that it is insured.

Same in American usage. I would consider "I want to insure that this
car is insured" to be incorrect usage on the first "insure". Looks
like American dictionaries are split on the issue:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/insure

Interesting to note that the etymology clearly shows a relationship, though:

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME; var. of ensure]

Thus proving that language evolves. :)

> Many people in Leftpondia use "attain" when they mean "obtain".

I think this is bizspeak. When people try to sound "smart", they end
up making all sorts of usage errors, hyper-correcting, and sounding
generally pompous.

> The point is that languages evolve over time. What was dead wrong
> yesterday may well be correct today, and what is correct today may be
> frowned upon tomorrow.
>
> We have to like it or lump it :(

I vote lump it! ;)

--
Cheers,
Josh