(sigh) It's like that second piece of pie: you know it's a bad idea, but it's so hard to resist. From a linguistic standpoint, it's an interesting back-formation created by imposing morphological boundaries where none exist to fill an awkward gap in the English lexicon.
I think 'whole nother' sprang up to fulfill a need in the English language. And because no one seems all that incensed about it, I think it will persist. I would never type it, but I do say it.
Yeah, I don't know what to make of it. It is a strange phenomenon indeed. My personal views: I think it sounds terribly terribly wrong and do all that I can to keep from saying it. Kind of agree with melissa about "hate myself" if i do. ha ha. (loved that)
However, it IS super common. In fact, I heard it on a commercial last night which was very alarming to me. So is it correct?? I'm also trying to think of a good alternative. I think i usually just say "whole other." I feel better about that. Or maybe "that's another thing entirely." I think i'm going to see if i can make a habit of that one.
(sigh) It's like that second piece of pie: you know it's a bad idea, but it's so hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteFrom a linguistic standpoint, it's an interesting back-formation created by imposing morphological boundaries where none exist to fill an awkward gap in the English lexicon.
I mean, um, I hate when people say that.
I am sometimes guilty of this in speech, but I hate myself for it! Writing though, it would never happen.
ReplyDeleteI am sometimes guilty of this in speech, but I hate myself for it! Writing though, it would never happen.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to delete the duplicate. Don't know what that's all about.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is "What??? Is that English?" I had to read out loud what you posted to understand, well, sort of.
ReplyDeleteI think 'whole nother' sprang up to fulfill a need in the English language. And because no one seems all that incensed about it, I think it will persist. I would never type it, but I do say it.
ReplyDeleteI always make fun of people who say that. And a lot of people say it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't know what to make of it. It is a strange phenomenon indeed. My personal views: I think it sounds terribly terribly wrong and do all that I can to keep from saying it. Kind of agree with melissa about "hate myself" if i do. ha ha. (loved that)
ReplyDeleteHowever, it IS super common. In fact, I heard it on a commercial last night which was very alarming to me. So is it correct?? I'm also trying to think of a good alternative. I think i usually just say "whole other." I feel better about that. Or maybe "that's another thing entirely." I think i'm going to see if i can make a habit of that one.
I think it's just the Jeb in you coming out.
ReplyDeleteHa. Jeb! You may be right, and that way, I can blame all my grammatical errors & ignorance on him. (and become progressively schizo)
ReplyDelete(p.s. i know this isn't what schizophrenia is but "schizo" sounds better than "someone with multiple personality disorder." just wanted to say that.)