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Pedants' corner

Is this correct?

(23 Posts)
mrsmopp Fri 08-Nov-13 18:19:27

I've seen and heard this a few times recently and, you know, it just doesn't seem right.
"The newly married couple processed down the aisle."
Proceeded surely??
I saw it written in a newspaper article and emailed the journalist who insisted it was correct because the couple were in a procession- therefore, they processed!!
Processed sounds like a tin of peas to me.

Aka Fri 08-Nov-13 18:22:34

I think that it is correct to process down the aisle.

mrsmopp Fri 08-Nov-13 18:28:56

Oh boo !
I'm on my own then hmm

Nonu Fri 08-Nov-13 18:30:08

I agree with AKA .
grin

Ana Fri 08-Nov-13 18:35:07

I do to, I think it strictly means 'to walk slowly'.

Ana Fri 08-Nov-13 18:35:36

too, I meant!!! grin

gracesmum Fri 08-Nov-13 18:36:17

Yep! Checked in OED even: "process = to walk in procession"

Mind you.......if it was just the two of them - can that constitute a procession? Seems a bit like fancy talk for "the happy couple walked down the aisle" or even "proceeded" hmm ?

Ana Fri 08-Nov-13 18:40:10

I agree that it does sound ridiculously pompous...

gracesmum Fri 08-Nov-13 18:43:34

And as it is pedants' corner, don't you think a procession is defined by people walking one after the other?
Some journalists (and politicians) never use a simple word where a convoluted one will do!

Nonnie Fri 08-Nov-13 18:45:25

Yes, pompous. I walked down the aisle. Processing sounds like something that has been organised by a committee!

annodomini Fri 08-Nov-13 19:09:35

'Processed' sounds a bit pompous if it's just the couple, even though a case can be made for it.

Eloethan Fri 08-Nov-13 21:59:56

It might be correct but it sounds silly.

mrsmopp Fri 08-Nov-13 23:50:56

I confess that I have proceeded from A to B on many occasions but I can honestly say I do not ever recall having processed anywhere.
It just doesn't sound right.

Jendurham Sat 09-Nov-13 00:40:05

Progressed?

Anne58 Sat 09-Nov-13 00:57:05

Oh for heavens sake, they bloody walked grin

Nelliemoser Sat 09-Nov-13 04:09:07

Processed is right but I would have thought you needed a few people in line.

Aka Sat 09-Nov-13 07:48:27

But if they were newly married and they were processing down the aisle then the service would be over and the altar party comprising the chief bridesmaid, the best man and all the bridesmaids, page boys, etc would be following surly? So it is a precession.

Aka Sat 09-Nov-13 07:48:39

Procession!!

Aka Sat 09-Nov-13 07:50:15

Who cares anyway?

Icyalittle Sat 09-Nov-13 08:06:51

Nonnie Given that it was a wedding, it was definitely organised by a committee, if my DD's was anything to go by!
Aka I like your typo about everyone following surly

Aka Sat 09-Nov-13 08:21:43

grin

feetlebaum Tue 19-Nov-13 19:25:19

And 'Aisle' is inaccurate - it's more often the Nave that people 'process' down...

grumppa Tue 19-Nov-13 20:10:27

Quite right, feetle. I blame Lonnie Donegan and Puttin' on the Style; surely he could have done something with nave and rave.