Grammar Guy: Fight the trend of using nouns, such as 'Skype' and 'Google', as verbs

Savannah Morning News ^ | November 21, 2021 | Curtis Honeycutt

[Don W]

“verbification”?

A noun converted into a verb used to be called a GERUND. Most gerunds were formed by using the suffix *ing*.

Perhaps the rules have changed, it’s been a LONG time since I studied English.

[norwaypinesavage]

Good story. I’m going to xerox a copy of it.

[nicollo]

During the 16th-17th centuries, English writers and scholars added an enormous number of Greek and Latin words to the language. Modern English is a combination of Old English, French, Latin and Greek (plus stray words picked up by the Brits from the colonies), thus we have synonymous words from distinct origins, such as "think" (Old English), "ponder" (French) and "contemplate" (Latin).

So, to CIB-173RDABN's point, by its nature, English is most adaptable, which makes it versatile, nuanced, and frequently confusing.

[nicollo]

We are flushing 4,000 years of highly developed civilization down the toilet.

It's so frustrating, I agree, and I feel that way daily.

But I have to remind myself that every moment in history has its freakouts, its doomsayers, it's over-zealous reformers... and worse its dark ages -- but also its recoveries. We're ever marching towards Armageddon, but there is a savior with us every day who rewards us for doing the right thing, even if those around us do not. Hang in there!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I’d put “xi/xer” in the “confusing” category.

What do you think? Will that crap flame out? Or take root and become standard usage?

[nicollo]

Sadly, I think Grammar Guy is correct that since “xi/xer” won’t take, we’re stuck with “they” as singular.

At best, we’ll likely have bifurcated usage, which is inherently imprecise. (Without specificity we cannot have truth.) I still see “she” used for the generic 3rd person singular in place of the “he”, and I think, “oh, how quaint.” But it’s still out there.

Grammar Guy claims that “they” is appropriate for the singular so long as the reference is clear. That’s ludicrous, as “they” is plural so it cannot possibly refer to a singular noun. But they’ll get away with it and further pollute our language, just as our economy, our culture, our decency, as everything the left touches it degrades.

[Still Thinking]

Uh, ‘Peter’ principle. Ahem.

[ptsal]

Post 17- That’s a keeper cartoon.

https://archive.md/zKM5s

[DoodleBob]

Quoth TLI, The vast wisdom of Calvin and Hobbs will never be totally understood.

[Still Thinking]

My thinking was that she did something she was good at and got promoted, until she finally got a job where she was bad, and that the story involved peters.

[Political Junkie Too]

What was the line from the movie History of the World, Part 1:

Cleopatra: Do I have any openings that this man might fill?

-PJ

[Still Thinking]

😂

Another Mel Brooks favorite of mine:

Sire, the peasants are revolting!

King - They stink on ice!

[Still Thinking]

Or the old one about the lady boss who’s tired because she’s been riding the staff all day.

[Red Badger]

I love gerunding!...................