RS Loc: W Columbia, SC

I agree with what you say here (comment above).
I have often wondered just what made a 'cuss word' a 'cuss word', anyway?
Why in movies and such do they say, "Screw you", when we all know they don't mean "twist you"...?
What makes the 'f-word' different from 'intercourse'?
Why can we say, "Poop" but not "Shit"; or "butt hole" but not "ass hole"?
Why can I go to a rest(?) room to 'take a leak', but I can't say I have to 'piss'?
And what about all those 'bad words' for such things as 'breasts, vaginas. penises', etc, etc?
Just wondering . . . .

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

I may have found an exception: 'Even the BBC is now prone to dumb down some of its material for a wider audience.'

Perhaps the term 'dumb down' is a little too colloquial to have reached the US yet.

I love to see your corrections- I'd do more myself if I had a little more courage. It's a shame that so many see corrections as being rude- who knows when youngsters are reading, and why object to learning something?

sundancer2004 Loc: oak island, nc

In my career, each time I had to testify in court and they asked if I solemnly swear: I was sooooooooooooo tempted

Conversely, when they said: take the stand.........................lol

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Jackdoor,

I've learned that, at least in the U.S., strangers don't like being corrected by strangers. I have a natural compunction to do so in terms of spelling, grammar, some instances of word usage, Medicine, and especially my former Specialty, Diagnostic Radiology, even though I know I'm far from perfect (I've been known to violate the rules of capitalization of letters and punctuating incorrectly when parentheses or quotation marks are employed.) But in general, most folks just don't plain like it. The automatic presumption made by the party being corrected is that they're being put down and that the corrector believes he is superior.

One important factor to consider these days that differs from the old days of just typographical errors is the advent of automated spell-checkers. Mine will occasionally transmogrify what I write into something hideous or funny. It becomes incumbent upon the typist to proofread, which isn't always so easy to do as it sounds. I still make proofreading errors, especially if I do it immediately after typing an e-mail or post.

As for the term 'dumb down,' I don't know which side of the pond coined it first, but we've used it for years.

As for you, sir, you have permission to provide me with feedback on the above matters pertaining to my writing, either directly in a friendly post or via a PM. I'll let you know if I grow tired of it. Just to be sure, don't bother correcting my spelling of words such as color or flavor, okay? I am an American, after all. :-)

Peace,
lev29 8-)

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Many years past i was told by my dear departed mother that men gather to gather in "Men Only Meetings" so they can speak in thier Native Language - Profanity.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Reminds me of another anecdote.
Judge: "Sir, are you showing contempt for my court?"
Witness: " No Sir, Your Honor. I am doing my damndest to conceal it!"

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

... and things associated with some of those profanities.

Yeah, sounds about right. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I worked in the grocery business for 40 yrs - the language spoken in the back rooms - off the sales floor often was similar to that of bikers bar.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Good one! 👍🏻👍

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Thanks, and it's just the same here.

Perhaps it's the medical training- I've 30 years as a GP. (I think that's like your primary care physicians, though I gather we go a little further before referring than your PCPs) We'd better steer clear of epinephrine/adrenaline too!

bluetail

A proofreading method I learned years ago-- Read the letter, essay, etc. backward. That way you're reading the individual words and not the ideas or context intended. You can check punctuation and structure later. Takes time, but works.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Interesting. I shall consider doing so.

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Me too! I can proof and proof, and then send the email, only to reread what I wrote and see ANOTHER mistake! Grrrrr.......

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Don't ya hate that?

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Aw, Fuddruckers.