Pedants' Paradise

[P. G. Tipps]

I wasn't involved in the thread as such, only querying what some may mean when they use the word 'facetious'.

Whilst I wholly understand that 'mischievousness' does not necessarily include sarcasm it does not necessarily preclude it either?

Sarcasm has been described as the lowest form of wit and is meant to be at least semi-humorous , and is presumably not that well received by the object of fun also. Hence there can be a certain overlap here.

However, I agree, far better to use the word 'sarcastic' if that's what one really means and to avoid any future correction on a knowledgeable forum such as this! :grin:

[french frank]

Whilst I wholly understand that 'mischievousness' does not necessarily include sarcasm it does not necessarily preclude it either?

I accept the validity of that line of reasoning though, as I suggested above, I am not wholly convinced that 'facetiousness' implies 'mischievousness' either. There may be occasions when the two are combined, but I think they are distinct meanings.

But, there: we use these words - and how far are we aware of all the nuances implied or intended?

[jean]

I was surprised to see these images with the headline It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.

I couldn't see any sign that anyone was doing well out of the situation!

[french frank]

I couldn't see any sign that anyone was doing well out of the situation!

They haven't even got the headline quite right, have they? Perhaps the silver car was trying to run him over and the ill wind blew him out of the way? :-)

[vinteuil]

... just so that our francophone / francisant friends are kept up to the minute :

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2016/02/04/01016-20160204ARTFIG00080-la-reforme-de-l-orthographe-de-1990-fait-son-entree-dans-les-manuels-de8230-2016.php

[jean]

It's taken a while, hasn't it? I thought they'd given up!

[french frank]

Not convinced of the necessity for 'get-go' in British English; or even its advantage. When I read the BBC story about the US presidential debate*, I immediately converted it into 'outset', but 'start' seems even better. Trying to give us the vibrant feeling of 'being there'?


*'New Jersey Governor Chris Christie launched into a full-scale assault on the Florida senator from the get-go …'

[Serial_Apologist]

"For me, it's a matter of the type of people we want in this country"

- Gove, speaking on today's lunchtime news.

Type? Types, surely??

I would argue this is equivalent to saying, "It's a matter of the kinds of people we want in this country", since we wouldn't say "kind of people" - whether Gove likes them or not, they are after all people, not sort of people, or people, kind of... no?

[jean]

I think it's probably true that there is only one type, or kind, of person Gove wants anywhere.

It's the plurality of people I'd question, rather than he singularity of type.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think it's probably true that there is only one type, or kind, of person Gove wants anywhere.
It's the plurality of people I'd question, rather than he singularity of type.

And his use of "we" - I rather think that I am not the sort of person he'd want in this country.

[Serial_Apologist]

I think it's probably true that there is only one type, or kind, of person Gove wants anywhere.

It's the plurality of people I'd question, rather than he singularity of type.

Good point, jean - hadn't thought of it that way.

[Serial_Apologist]

And his use of "we" - I rather think that I am not the sort of person he'd want in this country.

[Pabmusic]

Well, I have to tread carefully here, since the story is 'political'

Here's a great piece of journalism with First, Second, Third, Fourth and - wait for it - Five. Well done!

I suspect this might be a contemporary version of those (possibly mythical) tribes who count "one, two, many"...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35849065

[jean]

At least she didn't say Firstly.

[Pabmusic]

At least she didn't say Firstly.