(no subject)

[cheekbones3]

This is turning into a language blog more and more often it seems! The current things (some would say bugbears) narking me:

Since when did a vicious circle become a vicious cycle? I know the latter works, but it's wrong! Silly people.

What the other thing? Oh yes, the common redundancy of "up" and "down", or prepositions in general I suppose. Slow up/down is the one I can think of, as I come to write this (down), most of the other examples have escaped me for the moment. Maybe you could suggest a few more.

Comments

[silverclear.livejournal.com]

> I know the latter works, but it's wrong

Oxymoron much? Surely the point of language is to communicate, so if it works then it's right. ;-)

But seriously, of the two I would prefer 'cycle', because I perceive it as active flow in a direction. More than 'circle' which describes the shape. So I suppose I think cycle is more verby, therefore better conveys the meaning. For me anyway. I probably say 'circle' though, habit.

Check out my progressive grammar. Yo. :-D

[hardcore-pixee.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain, but your badger icon makes it all better :)

[cr4k.livejournal.com]

can you please beat ian with a progressive grammar stick some more?

Cheers

[cheekbones3.livejournal.com]

True, if it works it's fair enough, but it's still wrong. For at least a couple of decades anyway...

[cheekbones3.livejournal.com]

Word!

[silverclear.livejournal.com]

I'm still seeing you contradict yourself, saying it's wrong but that it works. I don't understand how you can believe both, they're exclusive! It might help if you state your sources for 'wrong'. Who says it's wrong, and what is their justification for the judgement?

[cheekbones3.livejournal.com]

I say it's wrong dammit! Not entirely scientific in my opinion, I just struggle with change :)

[silverclear.livejournal.com]

OK, well, *shrug* I think you're wrong. Language and grammar is about effective communication and I think new or altered phrases that are perfectly descriptive are right, regardless of there already being a phrase, and especially if the new phrase is slightly more on target with what it's trying to describe.