In grumpy old man mode!

[Dragon Rapide]

Perhaps it has appeared earlier in this long thread but in the last few days on this forum and others and as a quote in the national press, "should of...." instead of "should have". It must be because people write what they hear without undrstanding what they are actually hearing/writing....

[Dragon Rapide]

Can anyone explain the difference between:

Soon and anytime soon
Turning point and tipping point

There are others too....thank you!

[DerekF]

I think adding "anytime" to soon just adds emphasis. I would have thought that the difference between turning and tipping was obvious; one involves direction and the other balance. Maybe you could give us examples?

[Dragon Rapide]

You might be right. It just seems that we have managed very well with "soon" for several decades without misunderstandings or mistaken intentions.

In the commonly used sense of the phrase to describe an event or a situation which alters the circumstances or character of a situation the two words seem synonymous and the introduction in recent years of "tipping" adds nothing to the emphasis or understanding of the phrase, does it?

[AlexC]

Wonder when people first starting saying 'anytime soon', as in 'are you going to stop looking down that F-16 jet pipe anytime soon?!' I think I heard one the the actors in the ITV Titanic series say it. Something like 'are you going to get in that lifeboat anytime soon?! Shouldn't have thought that it dates back to 1912?

[Dragon Rapide]

I am not saying you are wrong, because I do not have the answer, but just because an actor spoke the line in a 2012 TV series does not mean it was used in 1912. Period drama is awash with modernisms and linguistic inaccuracy, unfortunately. My guess is that it is an Americanism of fairly recent introduction.

[AlexC]

My guess is that it is an Americanism of fairly recent introduction.

I think that's probably right. And you appear to have misunderstood me. I was not implying that it must date from at least 1912 because it was used in the Titanic programme. At least, I didn't think that I was!

[Dragon Rapide]

I did - apologies......... To my mind it is an example of a superfluous word, with which our language is well blessed these days.

[DerekF]

Language is ever-changing - that is the nature of it. Words are introduced into English continually making it a richer language. If it didn't evolve we might still be grunting at each other - actually......

As far as "superfluous" words are concerned, what is wrong with adding words for emphasis? That's what language is all about.

[AlexC]

Language is ever-changing

That's true, but some of the changes can be short-lived. Here's hoping that this one is!

[Dragon Rapide]

Language is ever-changing - that is the nature of it. Words are introduced into English continually making it a richer language. If it didn't evolve we might still be grunting at each other - actually......

As far as "superfluous" words are concerned, what is wrong with adding words for emphasis? That's what language is all about.

Alternatively superfluity can be seen as redundancy. Why use two words when one is perfectly adequate? Yes language is indeed ever changing but that does not argue that every change is for the best, particularly if change diminishes the original. How many times is anticipate used by people who think it sounds "better" than expect when of course it has an entirely different meaning? And the latest imported horror - " How are you?" "Oh, I'm good". Are you good or bad or perhaps you mean you are well.....

[DerekF]

But if words are added for emphasis what's wrong with it? From your own post "entirely different meaning". You could have said "different meaning" and it would have meant the same thing but you added "entirely" as added emphasis on how different your subject was.

[Dragon Rapide]

The right word in the right place can legitimately used for emphasis. Then it is not superfluous. You could say at any time soon or perhaps not for some time. But anytime does not mean that. It means invariably, so it is the wrong word being used in the wrong place and so makes no sense.

[AlexC]

" How are you?" "Oh, I'm good".

That's another one of my current hate's. Also another one from the USA. Why do we have to keep picking up their sayings? I heard a presenter on BBC Radio Solent use it yesterday - yuck!

[Fumbles]

Alrighty then... I may of been out of the loop for a while on this one......... As I was starting up the BBQ today. There was a a quick blurb on the tv about food. I usually ignore this weekly show since it caterers to mostly the health food nuts of the world. So I walked past the tv as the 5 minute show was on and it caught my attention. It had a plate a meat on it with veggies. The co-host asks... "Whats with the meat?" The Host says... "this is for Flexitarians." I stood there in a what the!!!! stage. The host explains that a "Flexitarian" is a Vegetarian that does not want to give up meat and will eat meat sometimes. Now call me old or grumpy on this one. But if a Vegetarian eats meat even sometimes. Does that not just make that person a "Omnivore"?

Anyways my BBQ is going and my steak is almost done. Just my little rant of the day.

[AlexC]

'Flexitarian' is a new one on me.

How about 'pescatarian'? This apparently describes me, as I abstain from eating all meat with the exception of fish.

[Dragon Rapide]

Many flexitarians have staycations! In other words most gits stay at home

[stratocaster]

I see Dom Jolly is at it too! This time it's a "Carcation" Aaaaaaaaaggghhhhh!! Please stop this madness,I can't take any more!

[Dragon Rapide]

Surely that has to be a joke! But if not you might have to consider "emigration"!!

[stratocaster]

@ Dragon Rapide I jest ye not sir! The advert he is on was for Stena Ferries to Holland and Ireland.I could not believe my ears when he uttered that word!
Emigrate only to a part of space that hasn't been ruined by The UK's eldest child (the USA).

[Dragon Rapide]

DerekF would certainly approve of "carcation"!

[stratocaster]

Shhh! Don't let him know that....aww too late, he knows!

[DerekF]

I appreciate you all thinking of me but getting wound up over an advertising slogan? I think you're taking things a little too seriously.

[Dragon Rapide]

Seriously? No - I think you missed the smilies!

[DerekF]

I guess I did.