What are your pet peeves re English usage?

@Francis,

Quote:

That's because you use a dumb system of chronologic notation.

A revolution of the earth is 24 hours.

Why separate them in two halves?

The logic would be (like in Europe) 12:00 for noon and 24:00 for midnight. Easy!

Does that mean, Francis, that in the French language, say for everyday speech, no one uses, for example, "It's 2:25." [in French of course] to say that particular time in the afternoon?

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@JTT,

Yes, people say so, colloquially, when they are close to that time.

But formally, like in an airport announcement, nobody would use it.

People even have other ways to express current time: two in the morning (AM), nine in the evening (PM).

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@Francis,

I presume from that Francis that people in airports are a bit disoriented.

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@Francis,

As do we, which I know you know because you noted so in English.

You know, I traveled thru a lot of airports, logged many many miles, but I can't recall how that was handled. Kinda like Steven Wright; "I drove from LA to NY with a friend. We had one music tape, ... funny, I can't remember what it was."

But I know that I never missed a flight and if I had, it sure as hell wouldn't have been by 12 hours!

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@spendius,

Quote:

I presume from that Francis that people in airports are a bit disoriented.

Not a Standard Written English sentence, but nevertheless, completely understandable. [mine t'warn't either] [and neither was that]

No Robert, I am not making fun of Spendi's English.

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@spendius,

I presume that they know where they are going, therefore being rightly orientated.

If they are a bit desorientated, that's because they lost their way to the loo...

I know that some Americans can be a bit confused when seeing 18:35 ..

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@Francis,

Not for those of us who spent any time in the military service.

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@cicerone imposter,

I know you are not part of the some, CI. Mr. Green

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@cicerone imposter,

I bet you jumped on that opportunity fast ci.

What theatre of war were you in?

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@Francis,

Quote:

I know that some Americans can be a bit confused when seeing 18:35 .

I doubt that this was in any way a dig at Americans, but rightfully so, many are confused. There's no reason that they should be born knowin'. People are confused by differences in time changes too, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division tables, ... .

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@JTT,

It was a simple statement, JTT, and could apply too, to some other nationalities.

I don't usually single out nations..

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@Francis,

That's what I wrote and believed, then and now, Francis.

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@JTT,

It goes without saying, JTT, but it goes better saying it..

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@Francis,

Francis wrote:

David wrote:
I missed a plane by 12 hours in Las Vegas in the 1980s,
because of another pet peeve of English expression.
American Airlines failed to designate 12 midnite or 12 noon.

That's not because of a pet peeve of English.

That's because you use a dumb system of chronologic notation.

A revolution of the earth is 24 hours.

Why separate them in two halves?

The logic would be (like in Europe) 12:00 for noon and 24:00 for midnight. Easy!

Yes.
I accept your reasoning, Francis, qua the 24 hour clock.
As C.I. has pointed out, many of us can read it both ways,
but we r more accustomed to a 12 hour clock.

I meant to point out that it was stupidity (expensive stupidity)
for an airline to fail to indicate 12 noon or 12 m.
Truth be told, I LOVE Las Vegas
and liked the extra nite.

David

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@Francis,

Quote:

I know that some Americans can be a bit confused when seeing 18:35 ..

Well you only ever see it on a digital watch or clock in another country, or perhaps if it's written on your ticket. On an analogue clock or watch it'd say 6:35 just like it would in the US - and most people would read it as such, and hopefully you'd be oriented enough (in terms of time of day) to know that meant pm.
It did take me a minute or two to figure out that when people said 'half six' they meant 'six thirty'.
And then when someone would ask me what time it was and I'd say 'quarter of seven' they'd say 'WHAT?' very confused because they say, 'quarter TO seven', and I say quarter after and they say quarter past - so there are little differences like that, but I've never heard anyone ever in any airport say, 'It's 18:45 hours' - proceed to your gate.'

I'm trying to figure out how David could have been confused about his plane ticket - if it was a 12:00 sharp flight - I can't imagine that they wouldn't say, 12 noon or 12 midnight. That's how I've always figured out which 12:00 they mean and if someone isn't forthcoming with that crucial information - I make sure I ask- especially about something as important as catching a flight.

I'm trying to understand why logic is so crucial when people are speaking or writing, but the same person who requires it of others in those instances doesn't seem to require it of himself when he's the listener or the reader.
(Just a gentle little joke David - Laughing

)

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Gee!! This is advanced stuff. They said A2K is where to find out what's what and they were right.

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@Francis,

Francis wrote:

I presume that they know where they are going, therefore being rightly orientated.

If they are a bit desorientated, that's because they lost their way to the loo...

I know that some Americans can be a bit confused when seeing 18:35 ..

I guess that u probably mean ORIENTED, and DISORIENTEDdisoriented him.
2. to confuse by removing or obscuring something that has guided a person, group,
or culture, as customs, moral standards, etc.:
Society has been disoriented by changing values.
3. Psychiatry. to cause to lose perception of time, place,
or one's personal identity.

David

1 Reply

@Francis,

Then you'll excuse me for "appearing" to question your integrity, Francis. The end result is it's much clearer for all.

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@aidan,

Quote:

I'm trying to understand why logic is so crucial when people are speaking or writing, but the same person who requires it of others in those instances doesn't seem to require it of himself when he's the listener or the reader.

Aidan, would you stop with the logical thinking already. Just accept and internalize what OmSig says. Try meditation and long bouts of mindlessly repeating what he says, chopped up into manageable little mantras.

He is, after all, mensa quality.

It's worked for generations of Americans who have internalized great volumes of propaganda, so it could work for you too, if that is, you're willing to get with the program.

1 Reply

@JTT,

Quote:

It's worked for generations of Americans who have internalized great volumes of propaganda, so it could work for you too, if that is, you're willing to get with the program.

I'm sorry - I just don't seem to be able to.

1 Reply

What are your pet peeves re English usage?

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