Pet peeves with expressions being written incorrectly

[TerrariaMum]

Thread to go aaaaaargh.

I'll start.

It is 'toe the line' not 'tow the line'. Seeing 'tow the line' is ragemaking. What are yours?

[clam]

Totally agree with that one! In fact there was a whole thread on here once, with loads of people arguing the toss about why "tow the line" was correct!
Fair raised my blood pressure!

[DadDadDad]

I know it's toe not tow, but why the ragemaking? why get so upset about such a small mistake that just shows the inevitable slipperiness and playfulness of language?

[badtime]

DadDadDad, after seeing your comment here after the one on the "anniversary" thread I started, I was going to suggest that you make a request for MN to start a section for people who don't give a shit about grammar and usage, then I remembered that that section already exists. It's called "everywhere except Pedants' Corner".

I think you might be happier there.

[DadDadDad]

See my comment on the other thread about a third way. I am very picky about grammar and usage, but i also am concerned about my blood pressure - and yours too!

Otherwise, I'm very happy here, thanks.

[Smitten1981]

On route

Working Progress

Pre Madonna (I kid you not)

Also hate it when people say Pacifically instead of specifically.

[prism]

I really like Pre Madonna- I shall be adopting it as an approving phrase for music.

[DadDadDad]

Isn't "on route" more or less a direct translation of "en route", so while I am sure some of us will want to preserve saying it with a French accent, I can see "on route" quite sensibly catching on. Does it matter?

"Pre Madonna" just makes me laugh - no rage here.

[DadDadDad]

Ha, ha - pure coincidence, just looked at today's SMBC comic:
www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3421#comic

[Virginiaplain1]

I had a boss who frequently used the phrase 'a damp squid'.
I used to wonder if she had ever considered why a squid, which, as a sea creature, would naturally be damp, might be used as a metaphor for something being unsuccessful.
I never corrected her because I didn't like her and I enjoyed hearing her say it in meetings and making other people there look .

[ibbydibby]

I have a friend who frequently used to write "by enlarge". Instead of "by and large" ;)

[LilyTheSavage]

I had to say Pre Madonna out loud. Hideousness!

Should/could/would OF makes me twitchy, and yourself and myself instead of you and me makes me so grumpy

This is my first time in Pedants' Corner and I feel I have found my spiritual home.

[WaffleWiffle]

Baited breath / bated breath

Also "Off of.." (a la Scott Mills), as in "it is that bloke off of Eastenders".