quote:

Really... I mean really... after the current president's complete obliterationism of the English language, we are really going to mention that "Michelle and I" should be "Michelle and me?"

That's exactly what I was thinking. It's almost unbelievable.

Unfortunately, to those who were taught "proper" English, the mix-up of "I" and "me", in the above examples, does grate. The easiest way to see if "I" or "me" is correct is to substitute "we" or "us".

So, in the example given, "The Reverend White married Michelle and I" sounds totally wrong if "we" is substituted for "Michelle and I". It should obviously be "us", so it should be "Michelle and me".

Another trick is to eliminate the first subject/object of the phrase. Would you say "He married I" or "He gave it to I"? Likewise would you say "Me go to the store"? (Except in Newfoundland).

I got to this thread late, too late. But I'd like to say that I'm so very pleased to see that someone else too has read Pinker's "The Language Instinct". And as you'll agree, newnickneme, that colourless green ideas continue to sleep furiously. All the very best to you.

Pinker's books always make for an interesting read. I often wonder how maiku wouuld have reacted to him, since on more than one occasion he takes on his hero, Noam Chomsky.

This isn't a grammar peeve.

I was in a local diner the other day and on the menu they had cinnamin pancakes.

The bakery nearby has deserts and carret cake.

Yeah, and I was in a store that sold "diabetic cookies." Insulin to treat them was extra.

At the vet's today, there was a bin marked "Wet kitten food". Aren't cats supposed to avoid getting wet? (There was no bin for "dry kitten food" )

Then there was the woman interviewd after a flash flood who remarked on all the "derbis" under the bridge.

Maybe she was talking about a large number of floating English hats, JR, although why they would end up in the Mississippi or Missouri, I have no idea.

quote:

Originally posted by DorianGreyed:
Maybe she was talking about a large number of floating English hats, JR, although why they would end up in the Mississippi or Missouri, I have no idea.

Could be. She didn't say if she was a bowler.

quote:

Originally posted by juanruiz:

quote:

Originally posted by DorianGreyed:
Maybe she was talking about a large number of floating English hats, JR, although why they would end up in the Mississippi or Missouri, I have no idea.

Could be. She didn't say if she was a bowler.

Oh no..here we go again.

"Could be. She didn't say if she was a bowler."

Not having seen her, it would be hard for me to pin down her hobbies. But if she was from Iowa, bowling is right up her alley. (It's a very exciting state.)

quote:

(It's a very exciting state.)

Get your mind out of the gutter, DG.

What's English about a 'derbi'? It would be pronounced 'darbi', if any hat here had that name. ( At the Derby men dress as for Royal Ascot. At other meetings we wear trilbys, though at the July Meeting at Newmarket and the 'Glorious Goodwood' meeting Panama hats are often worn)

"Here we go again" dg?

Not from me: I can't top what's gone before.