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Pedants' corner

Is it only me that goes grrr at this phrase?

(116 Posts)
phoenix Mon 30-Dec-19 23:47:23

An email from Waitrose asking about plans for (and I quote) "New Years"

There is New Years Eve, and New Years Day, but there is NOT "New Years"

NfkDumpling Tue 31-Dec-19 13:38:37

I don’t go to New Year Eve parties now. Prefer bed, a hot water bottle and a good book. But when I did go to these functions I don’t ever remember actually singing Auld Lang anything. I do vaguely remember standing in a circle with arms crossed, hands held, swaying a lot and giggling.

MawB Tue 31-Dec-19 13:39:31

Fair enough Sirchenjin - but first and last verses surely? Getting the last two lives right?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught
For auld lang syne
For auld, &c.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 31-Dec-19 13:40:01

Yes, and tomorrow will be Ne'erday!

NfkDumpling Tue 31-Dec-19 13:40:24

And I thought the expression “New Years” was antipodean. Along with “Laters” and “Arvo”.

MawB Tue 31-Dec-19 13:41:38

lines - not “lives” !

Jane10 Tue 31-Dec-19 13:45:30

When my Dad heard the first line 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot?' he'd shout - YES!

SirChenjin Tue 31-Dec-19 13:46:26

but first and last verses surely?

Nope - sorry!

Kim19 Tue 31-Dec-19 13:48:51

Gosh..... what a pity that the last topic of this year should be one, in the grand scheme of things, of irks and petty peeves. I really enjoy this site when it comes into its own with positivity and helpfulness. So good. Happy New Year everyone and.... thanks.

Mimibunz Tue 31-Dec-19 13:53:10

I loathe English phrases such as “I went down the pub” and “She was sat next to me”. Their both rife in this country and so grammatically incorrect, and tend to be used by those who hate ‘Americanisms’. So, there’s the other side of the coin.

Happy New Year!

SirChenjin Tue 31-Dec-19 13:56:12

Kim - other threads are available smile

NfkDumpling Tue 31-Dec-19 13:58:41

Ah, a problem there Mimibunz. In Norfolk we go Up the City which ever direction we’re coming from and Down the pub. And out in the sticks the expression would be “She were sat sittin’ next to me.”

Sooze58 Tue 31-Dec-19 13:59:47

More annoying (which seems to come to the fore this year) is Christmas Eve Eve and New Year’s Eve Eve plus a slew of ‘Happy New Years’ today - it isn’t even 2020 yet! I know I’m getting grumpy in my old age ?

sarahellenwhitney Tue 31-Dec-19 13:59:52

Grammarreto
Not surprised when apparently until WW11 many in the US had never heard of the UK let alone where it was .

Pix5 Tue 31-Dec-19 14:01:30

I think one has to move with the times.

Callistemon Tue 31-Dec-19 14:31:02

“I went down the pub”
That's normal, innit?
Like "I went down the town on the buz"

Saggi Tue 31-Dec-19 14:46:56

Just another date on the calendar....if my husband could work over the Millenium and not bat an eyelid! Because he was a train driver ...and people expected trains...and it was his shift !! Ergo : he worked. Just another date on the calendar indeed!!

4allweknow Tue 31-Dec-19 15:01:11

And how many "journeys" will we all undertake. Everyone just everyone has a "journey" for some reason or other. Never an experience, a journey!

sodapop Tue 31-Dec-19 15:33:25

How I agree 4allweknow Tom Watson was on the radio this morning whinging on about his 'journey' through diabetes etc.

Millie22 Tue 31-Dec-19 15:41:51

Enjoy!!

when your meal is served in a restaurant

Hopefully I will enjoy it.

SirChenjin Tue 31-Dec-19 15:42:30

Oh yes - journey is v annoying. I also actively dislike the overuse of ‘healing’ to mean recover or get better.

grannylyn65 Tue 31-Dec-19 15:51:20

So bored with pedantry

stewaris Tue 31-Dec-19 15:53:56

Agree with @MawB we always sang the first and last verses and still do for that matter. Happy New Year everyone.

cavewoman Tue 31-Dec-19 15:55:14

Going back to Auld Lang Syne -
For 'We'll take a cup of kindness yet', I've always sang 'We'll take the path of righteousness'
Don't think anyone noticed !

lemongrove Tue 31-Dec-19 16:20:48

Jane10.....I like the sound of your Father ?

Nannarose Tue 31-Dec-19 16:45:39

Speldnan, yes I am sure it's a shortening (which makes sense) not a plural (which doesn't). And slaw is an American term for salad, I think "cole" refers to cabbage specifically.