Posted on 01/14/2008 7:39:31 AM PST by shrinkermd
...Speaking on Social Security, Democrat hopeful Barack Obama boasted that "here's an area where John (Edwards) and myself were actually quite specific." A few minutes later, Bill Richardson wondered, "What is wrong with having been like myself -- 14 years in the Congress, two Cabinet positions?"
...The new verbal tic is part trend and part defensive posture. Since the Me Generation, "I" and "me" have become increasingly tangled up as Americans have looked for ways around tricky constructions. As sportswriter Red Smith once put it, "Myself is the foxhole of ignorance, where cowards take refuge, because they were taught that me is vulgar and I is egotistical." In the same spirit, "myself" has become the campaign's de rigueur grammar cop-out, substituted for I or me when the candidate isn't sure which is accurate -- or worse, assumes Americans will see proper English as elitist.
Yet grammar still matters to a lot of Americans. Potential employers often report they are put off by job applicants who display bad spelling or grammar -- taking it as a sign of sloppiness, inattention to detail or lack of IQ. Why shouldn't voters hold the next leader of the free world to similar standards? Especially since, as Richard Lederer, former usage editor of the Random House Dictionary points out, when candidates "chicken out and use 'myself'" in place of I or me, "it shows an inability to take a stand" -- and isn't that something voters should care about?
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Myself has been wondering about this new usage, but myself didn’t take the time to check it out.
English or spanish grammar?
There ain't no such thing as grammar no more. At least not where I live.
I am so tired of hearing people say "so' in" for "something" or "bu' in" for "button". It's hard to describe how they really say it.
Rule: Don't end a sentence with a preposition!
KarlInOhio also splits infinitives to show that KarlInOhio is stronger than the bond of "to" and a verb.
Correct aphorism is: “Never use a preposition to end a sentence with.”
Ignorant of grammar these candidates are. When once you turn to sloppy language, forever will it control your destiny.
Yes I know that is how many of the residents of that country pronounce it, but no one expects them to pronounce "Kansas City" the way we do. It was a ridiculous affectation.
“Rule: Don’t end a sentence with a preposition!”
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Aha! Just the sort of arrant pedantry up with which I shall not put.
/Winston Churchill
reminds me of when I lived in West Virginia 20 years ago.
I was talking with a friend and he used the word (phonetically) pee-in.
I asked him what did he say, and he repeated that he had used a pee-in.
I had to ask again if he was saying pin or pen, and he said 'pen' (but it sounded like pee-in)
I asked him to pronounce P.E.N. and he said 'pee-in' ... OK ... pronounce P.I.N. and he said 'pee-in'.
I told him to my ear, they both sounded the same ... how do you know the difference?
He replied, "One's a stick pee-in an' th'other's an eenk pee-in"
Never forgot that.
BJ is always saying things like “Don’t pick on Hillary and I” or “Vote for Hillary and I,” ad nauseum. “Myself” might be better. But, heck, I’m not listening, anyway.
The one that’s also crazy is “themself.” People who use “them” to describe a person whose gender is unknown go around calling it “them.” Then, because it’s a singular person, they can’t call it “themselves,” so they make up a word - “themself.”
*Now I want to thank you falettinmebe mice elf agin.*
I heard it was “Never use a preposition to end a sentence with, damn it.”
You think you heard that? *Oh, no, you ditn’t!*
My neighbors had five boys and fianally, one girl.
The youngest boy, who got so little attention or encouragement grew fond of making his disappointment at being ignored known through a clever but innocent construction; he would squeeze between the clamoring brood and shout, “Him, here wants to say something,” while poking himself in the chest.
It was years before he quit answering to the nickname of Himhere.
Clifford Franklin thinks KarlInOhio is just scratching the surface of what Clifford Franklin can do.
I take it as a sign of the same thing.
On the other hand, the use of correct grammar, especially in difficult constructions, is a sign of intelligence, strong education, attention to detail, and the ability to get things right.
As a matter of fact, I noticed, in one of Barak Obama's TV speeches, that he correctly placed different pronouns in the objective case in constructions that many on TV generally and sloppily use the subjective case. Something like: "It means the same thing to her and me. Obama got it right. I was impressed.
When I hear someone say something like "It means the same thing to she and I" or "to her and I--or some such--I automatically think dolt. The person may have other redeemable qualities, but bad grammar suggests sloppiness, ignorance, or unintelligence.
Good points. But my only real interest in posting this article was the use of the word “myself” in place of I. It goes along with “mistakes were made” as a means to conceal one’s deliberate actions.
once-no-while - instead of once in a while; aargh!
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