A classic debate that I've been having for years! Please Enjoy this email thread. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Enjoy:
Dear T-Duck
In the past you have mentioned a grammatical wondering about the two words in the subject line. Today I received an email with this in it:
Communications Tip |
Irregardless: A double negative. Using regardless is correct. This edition of the Communications tip is courtesy of Scottie H. from the TLC. If you have a communications tip you would like to share, please e-mail him. |
Sorry to burst your “irregardless” bubble.
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My quip back:
Oh - Scott. Oh -Casey. I'm no stranger to your elitist regardless
We need to have a conversation about proper and standrad English. In proper English, irregardless technically means without regard and adding the prefix (ir) means makes a word the opposite, making our word without without regard, which indeed is a double negative. So technically speaking, you're right. But it's Ivory tower BS.
Who do I say that? Because it's a commonly accepted word in standrad english, the language of the people. You ask for proof?
Please look up irregardless in: American Heritage Dictionary, the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, or the Oxford English Dictionary.
The reason we don't have mass in Latin anymore or read the scriptures in Greek, is the same reason why I can use Iregardless and not be an idiot.
Welcome to the basement! Boo-yah!
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ReplyDeleteTo a certain extent, yes, it's ok to use words that weren't traditionally considered words. Language changes all the time. However, I don't see a reason to add a syllable to an already-functional word. I think this particular one is used out of habit more than out of practicality or love for the word. If we can slow down the change of language, people will be able to read things written today further into the future...you know what? I changed my mind. Let's change the language completely every 40 years =P
ReplyDeleteI have a particular love for the world irregardless... so, it's going to stay in my vernacular. Why use 3 syllables, when you can use 4.
ReplyDeleteIf you care about the word, I think it's fine for you to use it, although you shouldn't be surprised if it takes people a second to figure out what you're trying to say or if they have a particular distate for it. I meant that most people who use it do so because (a) they don't know any better, (b) they were caught using it incorrectly once and feel the need to justify it, or (c) they can't break the habit.
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