Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

"Work smarter"

[french frank]

It all depends where you draw the line between sloppiness and evolution.

I'm afraid there is no hard and fast line there either

[mangerton]

On Radio 4 PM I've just heard a reporter saying people were "sat on their luggage" and "standing in line".

No, in standard English we say "sitting" and "queuing".

We then hear from a woman who talks about "misCHEEvous".

Where do they get these people?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm afraid there is no hard and fast line there either

Clearly not, because the sloppy bring about the evolution.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

On Radio 4 PM I've just heard a reporter saying people were "sat on their luggage" and "standing in line".

No, in standard English we say "sitting" and "queuing".

We then hear from a woman who talks about "misCHEEvous".

Where do they get these people?

My point entirely. You were lucky the speaker didn't say "stood in line".

[Serial_Apologist]

We then hear from a woman who talks about "misCHEEvous".

It's usually Miss Cheevious when I hear her.

[french frank]

We then hear from a woman who talks about "misCHEEvous".

Where do they get these people?

Here? I'm afraid it does impinge on the pronunciation thread but I found the clip quite jolly.

[amateur51]

Here? I'm afraid it does impinge on the pronunciation thread but I found the clip quite jolly.

That clip reminds me that my primary school head teacher, Mr Trefor Davies, whose first language was Welsh, pronounced the letter 'h' as "high-tch"

[mangerton]

Here? I'm afraid it does impinge on the pronunciation thread but I found the clip quite jolly.

Yes, it is. Here's another one similar to "mischievous" that I hear more often than I want to: "grievIance".

I do like the word "impinge", and have done ever since it swam into my ken in a school physics lesson.

[Serial_Apologist]

Here? I'm afraid it does impinge on the pronunciation thread but I found the clip quite jolly.

The Bristolian girl I once went out with would be in trouble with her "I ates Mrs Thatcher"!

[scottycelt]

On Radio 4 PM I've just heard a reporter saying people were "sat on their luggage" and "standing in line".

No, in standard English we say "sitting" and "queuing".

We then hear from a woman who talks about "misCHEEvous".

Where do they get these people?

Now, I'm certainly no language expert and therefore hopefully not deemed by other more educated forum members as an ignoramus/bigot but I often hear on BBC (and other channels) of some 'headed' towards a particular direction.

My English teachers always insisted it is was (is) 'heading' ...

I need a proper education, please help me ...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Now, I'm certainly no language expert and therefore hopefully not deemed by other more educated forum members as an ignoramus/bigot but I often hear on BBC (and other channels) of some 'headed' towards a particular direction.

My English teachers always insisted it is was (is) 'heading' ...

I need a proper education, please help me ...

Heading.

You are only headed, if Wayne Rooney has a go at you.

[Serial_Apologist]

Now, I'm certainly no language expert and therefore hopefully not deemed by other more educated forum members as an ignoramus/bigot but I often hear on BBC (and other channels) of some 'headed' towards a particular direction.

My English teachers always insisted it is was (is) 'heading' ...

I need a proper education, please help me ...

William Blake was seated at the organ when he struck a chord that sounded like the sound of the last amen, and so, quickly headed for the pub, he ordered his pint just in time before the publican called final orders.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Quite right, but following is/was, it's quite different - past/present continuous tense.

[Quarky]

The problem with "heading" and other terms often used by scientists and technologists, is that there is a clash of cultures, the scientific/technical community vs. the literary/artistic community.

Unfortunately many scientists and high grade engineers could not give a damn about the niceties of the English language - they are too busy conceptualising over their Excel spreadsheets, and don't have time to consult a basic english grammar. So as long as they get their meaning across, that's enough. They will invent a word if necessary.

So I can understand a complaint about a BBC news reporter using the term, but if you read a technical article, I'm afraid your teeth will be ground down completely.