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> I freaking hate prescriptive linguistics. I tend toward being a little picky about grammar, but this particular style guide is a bit ridiculous. So, I have t
by Zancarius 17y ago
> I freaking hate prescriptive linguistics.
I tend toward being a little picky about grammar, but this particular style guide is a bit ridiculous. So, I have to agree.
Here's one that strikes me as odd:
> Demographics: no, the word is demography.
Seems to me that demographics is commonly accepted as a valid study.
The Economist claims this is a guide to "common solecisms." I wonder if their claim to solecisms is a solecism itself?
> a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, as "unflammable" and "they was."
In their defense, they do highlight several words that are pet peeves of mine (among/between). Though, to outright claim that others are outright nonstandard or incorrect is a bit misleading.
- anigbrowl 17y agodemographic is an adjective, like financial. True, people say financials when they mean financial (statement)s, but I share the Economist's dislike of this linguistic slop. Consider also that the written word still enjoys somewhat higher esteem in Britain, where the Economist is published; it is by no means uncommon to find corpses in the gutter of London's Fleet Street in the early dawn, driven to suicide by the shame of a misplaced apostrophe.