Re: Pet Peeves?
 

That reminds me. A local supermarket has a sign in its aisle where products are listed for "conditions" (pain, allergies, jam, baking needs, etc.). In one aisle the sign reads "incontinents". I suppose they all have to shop in that one aisle?

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

Is there a "Sub-continent" isle for curry spices, chutneys, popadoms, and rice? :unsure:

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

That's where you can go to buy your incompetence pants.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

I've only ever seen this in LA, but occasionally when merging onto the freeway with slow moving traffic there will be guys driving half in the entrance lane, and half in the freeway lane - presumably to ensure nobody merges ahead of them.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

Quizno's has a selection of sub-condiments.

If you merge too early then you are wasting a huge chunk of road. Blocking everyone else from using that chunk of road is just dumb.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

It's not "just" dumb, it is also likely illegal. :nod:

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

"laundry mat" :scaredhair:

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

Utilizing - what is wrong with using?

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

Doesn't sound as important.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

When I asked, I was told "using" doesn't sound professional. :confused:

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

So it's "professional" to use the wrong word...oh dear.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

Fixed.

/helpful.

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

this kind of thing really pushes my buttons!

There are various readability tests and/or clarity indexes an author can use to objectively measure how easy it is to read and understand some text. Most of them boil down to:

Use shorter words (ie less than 3 syllables) and shorter sentences = easier to read
Longer words and longer sentences = harder to read

None of them measure 'professionalism'! In real life, many of us have to write documents that must include long words, as they are technical terms. Likewise, we need to discuss relatively complex ideas that cannot be simply expressed in 5 word sentences.

What professional writers will do then, is to write 'use' not 'utilize' (3 syllables = long word) and other simpler terms in order to keep the readability of their documents to their target audience. Commence/start is another of my favourites.

Sorry, this got a bit long :o but I argue a lot with people who think they have to use long fancy words, not always in the right context, in order to sound 'professional'. They don't seem to appreciate that most of the audience think you sound more professional when you communicate clearly. I've even got a copy of a paper I use to show them it's been measured scientifically!

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

It is the only part of Karl Marx's philosophy that I agree with (professionals use long words and jargon to create a mystique around the profession). ..... I agree with it wholeheartedly, and repudiate everything else he wrote!

Re: Pet Peeves?
 

And it becomes self-perpetuating because everyone thinks that's how they ought to write, while all the time hating reading that style.

Academics at university are some of the worst - I have spent much of my professional life trying to persuade others to un-learn the writing style imposed on them when at college or writing their PhD thesis.