Charlie: They said you was hung!!!
Bart: And they was RIGHT!
Posted on 07/03/2008 3:04:25 PM PDT by occamrzr06
When hang means, as it generally does, "to suspend," then hung is the correct past-tense and past participial form of the verb: "Yesterday, I hung a picture on the wall"; "I have hung many pictures on many walls." When hang means "to put to death by hanging," however, hanged is the correct past-tense and past participial form: "We hanged the horse-thieving varmint yesterday"; "We've hanged nigh unto forty horse thieves this year." Given that hanging has become a fairly infrequent means to a fairly infrequent end, you might think that this is an unimportant distinction. But, because of a colloquial use of hung that we blush bright yellowish green to mention here, you can end up embarrassing yourself if you use hung as an adjective to describe a male historical figure executed by hanging. History records that John Billington was hanged at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1630; whether Mr. Billington was hung, history does not record.
I understand that.....
...hence my thread!
What would a Cannibal say?
I came up with this as a teenager to remember the difference—he hung the rope but hanged the man.
(bowing, kissing feet, etc.) THANK YOU!!! I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve wanted to post this.
Of course, now that we’re on the subject: What about “their/there/they’re”, “your/you’re”, and worst of all, “it/its/it’s”. Oh, my...
Charlie: They said you was hung!!!
Bart: And they was RIGHT!
Its not that your wrong...
On the campus of Ball State University, there is a portrait of the five Ball brothers who founded the school. Beneath the portrait is a small plaque that reads: “Hung by the Balls”.
True story...I think...but even if isn’t, it’s still funny...
My peeve is “noone” instead of no one.
Noone isn’t a word. Anyone is.
Same with alot or a lot.
"First my dinner was hanged. Then it was hung."
One of my pettest peeves ~
those who say “then” instead of “than.”
Mine is “loose” v. “lose.”
It makes me see red! So petty, I know, but I’m a little high strung. LOL
BTW, I FINALLY saw Juno! Loved it! I didn’t think I’d cry as much as I did when she gave up the baby. Thanks for recommending it!
It is not for free; it is just free."
Hey, thanks, I'm always interested in correct grammar and I didn't know this. On the other hand, now that I am aware I will be tormented by hearing everyone else use these words incorrectly
That is, if I don't first go on a mad rampage because I saw an apostrophe used to make a plural one too many times.
Or "caramel" not only pronounced "carmel" but actually spelled that way.
Glad you liked Juno. Wonderful movie.
Most think it’s going to be about about loose morals, but it’s really about a little gal who loses some pretty naive notions and has to grow up fast.
Most end up liking it much more than they expected, and then end up recommending it all over the place. “;^)
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