Pedants' Paradise

[LMcD]

I think you will find the Swiss German pronunciation of the "Ton" syllable is neither that of the English "ton" or "tone". The closest I can think of is to rhyme with "on", rather than "own", though more something between the two. It's not helped by the fact that the only online example of pronouncing "Tonhalle-Orchester" is way off. There is, however, an example of the German pronunciation of Tonhalle which serves pretty well, https://forvo.com/word/tonhalle/

Fair enough (but I would point out that our German degree course inexplicably failed to include a module on Swiss pronunciation of orchestra names ! )

[cloughie]

I always say Zurich Tonhaller - Ton not tun and hal not haul.

[Serial_Apologist]

"Listerine Advanced Defense Gum Treatment

Designed to not cause staining".

[alycidon]

And as far south and East as Westbury , Wilts.

All over the south-west I think. Certainly when I lived in Bristol 1950-1978 and when my patch was the entire south-west for most of the 1970s.

[Zucchini]

Why don't you make the Honourable Member for the 18th Century your President?

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-07-26/itv-news-exclusive-jacob-rees-mogg-issues-style-guide-to-staff/

[Serial_Apologist]

Why don't you make the Honourable Member for the 18th Century your President?
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-07-26/...uide-to-staff/

I can't believe I'm old enough to be that man's father: he looks older than me!!!

[LezLee]

Why don't you make the Honourable Member for the 18th Century your President?
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-07-26/...uide-to-staff/

I agree with 5 of his banned words/phrases!
He would be very upset (or perhaps delighted?) here in Scotland where 'gotten' (archaic, not American) is still in everyday use. Even better is the wonderful 'I should have went...'

[alycidon]

I agree with 5 of his banned words/phrases!
He would be very upset (or perhaps delighted?) here in Scotland where 'gotten' (archaic, not American) is still in everyday use. Even better is the wonderful 'I should have went...'

Very pleased to hear that, LezLee. I agree with them all - let’s have some linguistic decorum in the new political era.

[LezLee]

Listening to and quite enjoying 'Inside Music' but 'heart-wrenching'? Send for an ambulance!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I agree with 5 of his banned words/phrases!
He would be very upset (or perhaps delighted?) here in Scotland where 'gotten' (archaic, not American) is still in everyday use. Even better is the wonderful 'I should have went...'

OK, from the top:

- Very. No doubt overused but surely indispensable sometimes, particularly if in contrast with a previous non-superlative utterance.
- Due to. Perfectly correct after the verb 'to be', as in 'Unemployment is always due to government inefficiency'. But not correct, in my schooldays at least, in 'Due to government inefficiency, unemployment is rising' - should be 'Owing to'.
- Ongoing. OK, much overused.
- Hopefully. 'To travel hopefully is better than to arrive' but not 'Hopefully, travelling will be better than arriving'.
- Unacceptable. Many things are unacceptable, sir, but you probably won't agree with me on which!
- Equal. Words fail me! Does he need education on the meaning and political resonance of the word? Very probably
- Too may 'I's. Agreed. A fault I (myself) am prone to
- Yourself. Often used when 'you' is all that's needed. But stupid to ban it outright.
- Lot. OK, often slackly used (but such is a grammarian's lot)
- Got. Overused but has its uses.
- Speculate. We mustn't have people speculating, except possibly to accumulate!
- Invest (in schools). Kinda says it all, clearly a No-No with this government.
- No longer fit for purpose. An overused phrase, one best confined to its proper origin, and precise meaning, in sale of goods law.
- Ascertain. Perfectly good word surely? Is it being overused?
- Disappointment. Why?
- I note/ understand your concerns. Is this because the new regime is now determined not to acknowledge the validity of any objections to its policy? For instant dismissal as a civil servant, how about the double whammie, 'I understand your disappointment'?
- I am pleased to learn. This government is not going to be pleased to learn anything?
- Meet with. The 'with' is often redundant, but a total ban may meet with perfectly valid objections

Good comment below the list: "These are the list of words JR-M deems 'No longer fit for purpose'", but his insistence on imperial units of measurement is just beneath contempt! Should go down well in Europe though

[alycidon]

Well LMP, it is the pedants’ paradise so we’ll have to allow you that!

[Pulcinella]

Why does he object to a comma after the word and?

I despise most politicians: Johnson, Corbyn, and, of course, The Member for the Eighteenth Century.
Perfectly good sentence, with a comma after and.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Why does he object to a comma after the word and?

I despise most politicians: Johnson, Corbyn, and, of course, The Member for the Eighteenth Century.
Perfectly good sentence, with a comma after and.

Clearly not, but I can't quite think of a reason

[LezLee]

Perhaps he meant the infamous 'Oxford comma' but actually made a mistake. If he did, he should have said BEFORE the 'and' as in:

'a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and or or) in a series of three or more terms. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as "France, Italy, and Spain" (with the serial comma), or as "France, Italy and Spain" (without the serial comma).'

[cloughie]

I can't believe I'm old enough to be that man's father: he looks older than me!!!

Short back and sides and a singe?