Ace-Garageguy Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) What irked me today?.........Experts Yeah, much better to be ignorant and proud of it. Yeah, much better. Edited December 12, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote
Harry P. Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Bill, we apparently have an "agree to disagree" situation. From Merriam-Webster.com: flout verb \ˈflau̇t\ : to break or ignore (a law, rule, etc.) without hiding what you are doing or showing fear or shame flaunt verb \ˈflȯnt, ˈflänt\ : to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice : to show a lack of respect for something (such as a rule) As you can see, while "flout" may be the more precise word in that context, "flaunt" (according to the second definition) would also be correct. Quote
Harry P. Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Perry Mason: The Case of the Flatulent Flautist. Great episode... Quote
Danno Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 I dunno. Struck kind of a sour note ... even a foul air, if you will ... with me. Quote
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) What is happening here is a case of language evolving. The popular usage of "flaunt" to mean "flout" has been going on so long, and is so widely understood to mean "flout", that it's apparently passed into accepted usage...as far as Merriam-Webster is concerned, anyway. Kinda like "chaise lounge" for "chaise longue". Different authorities have different opinions as to what's right at the current moment (and there are conflicting opinions as to correct spelling, punctuation, ad naseam all through English references today) and many word meanings have changed over the years English has been spoken. I'll stick with the old definitions, just in case I ever run into one of my old English teachers who were sticklers for "correct" over "popular". Another one of the reasons I prefer math and engineering to English...but there are those who will argue that 2+2 don't necessarily equal 4, too (two? to?). Sigh. Maybee inna futur i shud jus shuddup. Edited December 12, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote
Harry P. Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Language is always evolving. If a mainstream dictionary says a word means what it means, that's good enough for me. BTW... I heard today about a survey regarding current words people most want to see disappear from usage. Included on the list... "selfie" and "epic fail." Care to guess what the number one word people would most like to see go away is? Quote
Harry P. Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Why is it that if you play the flute you're a flautist... but if you play a lute you're not a lautist? Quote
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Care to guess what the number one word people would most like to see go away is? I hope it's "awesome". From the Urban Dictionary: 2. awesome A 'sticking plaster' word used by Americans to cover over the huge gaps in their vocabulary. It is one of the three words which make up most American sentences. The American vocabulary consists of just three words: Omygod, awesome and ######. Edited December 13, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote
Deano Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 From Merriam-Webster.com: flout verb \ˈflau̇t\ : to break or ignore (a law, rule, etc.) without hiding what you are doing or showing fear or shame flaunt verb \ˈflȯnt, ˈflänt\ : to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice : to show a lack of respect for something (such as a rule) As you can see, while "flout" may be the more precise word in that context, "flaunt" (according to the second definition) would also be correct. It's on the internet, it has to be true! Quote
Harry P. Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 I hope it's "awesome". It's "twerk." Quote
Harry P. Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 It's on the internet, it has to be true! It's not "on the internet," it's the Merriam-Webster website. Merriam-Webster. As in the dictionary people. Maybe you've heard of them? Quote
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Geez...I'm behind the times. What is a twerk? How does one twerk? I'm totally baffled. Sounds like a contraction of twinkie and jerk. Edited December 13, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy Quote
Deano Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 It's not "on the internet," it's the Merriam-Webster website. Merriam-Webster. As in the dictionary people. Maybe you've heard of them? Yep ... heard of them ... the OED they are not. Quote
Harry P. Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 Geez...I'm behind the times. What is a twerk? How does one twerk? I'm totally baffled. Sounds like a contraction of twinkie and jerk. Google Miley Cyrus... Quote
KingSix Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 People who flaunt the rules with swearing. I don't trust people who don't swear, at least occasionally .. it's a sure sign of having something to hide... Quote
MAGNUM4342 Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Here's a thought...instead of stressing over whether I'm right or wrong, how about going after the guys here who really are butchering the language? Edited December 13, 2013 by MAGNUM4342 Quote
KingSix Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 Sounds like a contraction of twinkie and jerk. Not awfully far from the truth Bill .. Quote
Danno Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 Why is it that if you play the flute you're a flautist... but if you play a lute you're not a lautist? If you play a lute, you're a lutefisk. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.