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Post by Don on Dec 22, 2016 13:13:42 GMT -5
"Try and learn" can apply to an internship, or to "fake it 'til you make it." "Try and learn" has been my approach to my re-entry to woodworking. I've got a lot of non-book learning that boils down to "try and learn," although it's more like "try and fail and learn and try and fail and learn and try and finally succeed and learn even more."  |
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Post by Christine on Dec 22, 2016 16:58:33 GMT -5
It's still wrong, Don. Try and understand. (Gah, that made a bit ill just typing it) I realize that "try and" has been accepted in informal speech; it still irks me because it doesn't make sense. E.g., no one would say " attempt and learn." Inherent in the definition of try/attempt is the possibility of success or failure. Not inherent is *what* is being tried/attempted. Ergo, one must identify what one is trying/attempting *to* do, and only then can one report on the success or failure of such. |
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Post by Amadan on Dec 22, 2016 17:34:00 GMT -5
All that being said, it must be acknowledged that language changes. Idioms in particular change in meaning over time.
I am not in favor of grammatical free-for-alls (grammar serves a purpose, dammit! To reduce ambiguity and enhance clarity!) so I am always going to grit my teeth at Millenials using "literally" to mean "very, seriously" (instead of, you know, literally), but in fifty years, that will probably be an Oxford Dictionary-accepted usage of the word.
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Post by Christine on Dec 22, 2016 17:52:01 GMT -5
I acknowledged it. I still hate it. Literally.  You're right, of course. As it happens, I'm fine with a lot of the newer styles that drive my mother (former English teacher) crazy. For example, sentences that aren't actually sentences. And starting them with "and." Pet peeves will be pet peeves. |
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Post by robeiae on Dec 22, 2016 18:02:31 GMT -5
Sorry, but the absolute worst is "decimated." It had a very specific meaning that made perfect sense. Now it gets used ALL THE FREAKING TIME in the wrong way (which has become standard).
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Post by Christine on Dec 22, 2016 18:07:21 GMT -5
One-tenth, goddammit. Shall we change decimal to mean "almost everything" as well?
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Post by Rolling Thunder on Dec 22, 2016 18:25:51 GMT -5
*makes note*
Decimated has been decimated by overuse...
Question: what happens if Deci mates with something else?
*Gazes at navel*
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Post by Vince524 on Dec 23, 2016 13:39:34 GMT -5
Bah humbug to you all.
See what you did Cass?
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