So I have this thing. John says it's an obsession...with "precision with language." It rears its (ugly) head in all types of ways.
This precision thing manifests itself in my desire to know the exact time when I ask someone what time it is. I do not like estimations. 10 til? Well, it sure as heck better be! I've been like this since high school when I first started wearing a watch. People would ask me what time it was and I'd say 9:47. They are lucky I didn't say how many seconds had passed!
Additionally, I have a major pet peeve with adding an "s" to the end of a store/restaurant name. I don't know how people don't realize the real name of stores and such. It isn't Nordstroms, it is Nordstrom. It isn't Barnes and Nobles. It is Barnes and Noble. It isn't Paneras, it is Panera. I do understand that the occasional store does have an "s" on the end of it. McDonald's. Kohls. Dillards. Macy's. Bloomingdales. But an "s" isn't on the end of every store/restaurant, people!
When John sings lyrics to a song and misses a word or two, I find it hard to hold myself back from correcting him. Usually I don't hold myself back. I don't know how he puts up with me.
I also strongly believe that the words "couple," "few," and "several" have specific definitions. Well, "couple" is the word I have the most issue with. A "couple" means two. Plain and simple. Just like two people are a couple, "couple" means two - no more, no less. I also believe "few" means 3-5 and "several" means 5-7.
Am I alone on all this or are there people out there with the same preoccupation with precision with language?
I agree with the couple and few things, and adding s to stores. But I'm a total time estimator. I set my clocks and watches randomly, so I'm not ever sure what time it actually is. Must've drove you crazy all weekend! And the whole fun of singing to the radio is to mess up the words! Stop correcting poor John!
ReplyDelete