[bertwert]

So that makes it no less annoying, similar to the now common annoying habit of starting every reply with "So".

Philip

Indeed. I suppose that I mean referring to lenses as pieces of glass isn't a mistranslation or wrong wording, as the original complaint of the thread.

[stevebrot]

"belonging to" is always a contraction, unless something belongs to "it"

Huh? Belonging to is never a contraction, but "it's" always is. The word "its" is the possessive of "it".

That one’s another English language quirk: “mathematic” should be an adjective (shortened to “math”) although “mathematical” is the more usual form, while “mathematics” is a noun (shortened to “maths”).

Surprisingly, "maths" is often misused too.

My favourite is “irregardless”: Mrs Malaprop has many children.

That is a strange one that was recently added as a non-standard adverb to the Merriam-Webster dictionary (presumably of American English). The authors included a lengthy explanation that included over 200 years of usage across a "wide geographic range" (all in the U.S.?) along with examples of several usages of the prefix "ir-" where negation is not the intent. They also suggest that while a proper word, it may not be proper usage.

It is not part of my working vocabulary, so I guess I am safe.


Steve

[slartibartfast01]

Has anyone mentioned mixing up infer and imply yet?

[stevebrot]

(Key'lo): short for kilogram is kilo, with the accent on the first syllable, which is consistent with my contention that kilometer should be pronounced as ki'lometer.

Ha! Ha! Here, kilogram is "kill'-o-gram" (long "O") or "kill'-ah-gram".


Steve

[slartibartfast01]

Why does flammable mean the same as inflammable?

[noelpolar]

I often ponder the social conformity that language brings...... and at times feel a somewhat strongish desire to not conform.... whilst still wishing to be understood (to some extent)...... so “misspelling” is one way to express this bit of rebel in me. Maybe... choosing pentax over canon/nikon all those years ago was another..... so.... from this.... one may deduct that “lense" may just be the appropriate spelling by the inner pentaxian in some.

In my case though, things are somewhat more complex.... as I tend to be very efficient in my actions (wife version of this observed trait is "lazy").... so I'd never add another letter to a word to misspell it intentionally.... unless I was really wanting to annoy.... so "lens" for me.

[slartibartfast01]

I often ponder the social conformity that language brings...... and at times feel a somewhat strongish desire to not conform.... whilst still wishing to be understood (to some extent)...... so “misspelling” is one way to express this bit of rebel in me. Maybe... choosing pentax over canon/nikon all those years ago was another..... so.... from this.... one may deduct that “lense" may just be the appropriate spelling by the inner pentaxian in some.

In my case though, things are somewhat more complex.... as I tend to be very efficient in my actions (wife version of this observed trait is "lazy").... so I'd never add another letter to a word to misspell it intentionally.... unless I was really wanting to annoy.... so "lens" for me.

Is "deduct" another example of not conforming?

[stevebrot]

It raises my hackles when someone adds an extra syllable to the word "preventive," as in "preventative."

I think you opened a can or worms with that one. I used to work for a company that created custom corporate wellness programs, among other things. Both terms were used interchangeably by the company founder and sometimes in the same pamphlet or guide. If corrected, he would respond that "we can accomplish either by healthy living" or was it healthful living.


Steve

[bxf]

I often ponder the social conformity that language brings...... and at times feel a somewhat strongish desire to not conform.... whilst still wishing to be understood (to some extent)...... so “misspelling” is one way to express this bit of rebel in me. Maybe... choosing pentax over canon/nikon all those years ago was another..... so.... from this.... one may deduct that “lense" may just be the appropriate spelling by the inner pentaxian in some.

In my case though, things are somewhat more complex.... as I tend to be very efficient in my actions (wife version of this observed trait is "lazy").... so I'd never add another letter to a word to misspell it intentionally.... unless I was really wanting to annoy.... so "lens" for me.

One may deduce. You appear to have achieved your rebel objective

[stevebrot]

According toMerriam-Webster:
First Known Use of preventative

1655


meanings is same as "preventive".

1602 for "preventive" (also from Merriam-Webster, LINK).


Steve

[stevebrot]

Ooh, that's a good one.
A battery, in the DC electrical context, is a group of cells. A "lens" (lense ) in the photographic context, is a group of lenses.

Thank you! (He bows deeply at the waist.)


Steve

[PDL]

Is "deduct" another example of not conforming?

Nothing to do with conforming.

deduct is where the warm air from my furnace flows.

[Parallax]

Huh? Belonging to is never a contraction

You're right. I stand corrected.

[stevebrot]

In the examples you provide, I don't view "well" and "so" as having quite the same use.

"So" is used to preface a logical conclusion, often as an interjection. Well, might also be used that way, but often as not as an indication of resignation and sometimes exhasperation.


Steve

[Parallax]

So it would be better to avoid using either "So" or "Well" to start a sentence. Well both are unnecessary and annoying habits, adding nothing to the meaning of the sentence.

So what's your point.