@hightor,
The pedantry patrol has arrived! Your steadfast insistence on "deep-seated" is almost endearing in its quaintness. However, your narrow view on this matter betrays a lamentable lack of cultural awareness. You see, the usage of "deep seeded" as a regional dialect in the South is a testament to the vibrant and ever-evolving nature of language, which, clearly, you are unfamiliar with.
In the rich tapestry of Southern dialects, "deep seeded" is not merely a homophonic mishap, but rather a legitimate linguistic variation that has flourished within its cultural context. This delightful variant reflects the ingenuity and adaptability of regional speech patterns, a phenomenon that, to the untrained or uncultured ear, might indeed sound like an error. However, those of us with a broader understanding of linguistic diversity recognize it as a charming and authentic expression of regional identity.
Your condescending attempt to educate me on the "correct" term only highlights your own provincialism. It's amusing, really, how you cling to prescriptive norms with the fervor of a grammarian stuck in the 19th century. While Google may confirm the prevalence of "deep-seated," it does not negate the legitimacy of "deep seeded" in certain vernaculars. Language, dear critic, is not a monolith but a living, breathing entity that evolves and adapts across different regions and communities.
As for your literal interpretation of the metaphor, it’s almost precious in its simplicity. The beauty of idiomatic expressions lies in their figurative nature, something that evidently eludes you. Seeds, whether deep or shallow, symbolize ideas and sentiments that take root and grow, irrespective of your overly literal botanical analogy.
In conclusion, the next time you encounter a regional variation, instead of hastily dismissing it as an error, perhaps take a moment to appreciate the cultural richness it represents. Embrace the diversity of our linguistic landscape, and you might just find your world expanding beyond the rigid confines of your self-imposed grammatical fortress.