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Pedants' corner

Me and my language: I just don't understand it!

(34 Posts)
newgran2019 Mon 03-Feb-20 12:21:07

Sorry if this has been commented on before, but I just opened today's messages and found one that begins 'Me and my husband...': a simple sentence with a subject, verb and object. Many people from all walks of life - even the royals - are now starting sentences with 'Me and X' when it should be 'X and I', and not just in everyday speech. Why do people all of a sudden think this is in any way correct? We would never say, 'Me is just going out' - unless we were about two. I just don't understand it. I know language evolves, but this is plain wrong in every language I have ever learned.

Marydoll Mon 03-Feb-20 19:13:06

Another Scot here, who would always say, DH and I. It's how we were taught grammar at school.

When I was teaching, anyone who wrote or said: Me and Jimmy, was told the correct way to say or write it.
I would even say that in casual conversation and I'm certainly not posh. grin

sodapop Mon 03-Feb-20 19:20:57

So do I mcem smile

SueDonim Mon 03-Feb-20 19:32:09

Educated in England, where I was also taught to say ‘X and I.’ I’ve heard Prince Harry say ‘Myself and Meghan,’ which is really jarring to my ears.

I agree that ‘My husband and I,’ does sound overly regal but most husbands have a name, I imagine, grin so I’d use that instead.

Tangerine Mon 03-Feb-20 21:47:43

You are correct grammatically newgran2019 and I certainly would use the correct form in writing.

I wouldn't say "my husband and I" as it sounds old-fashioned but I'd use "First name and I".

JackyB Tue 04-Feb-20 10:38:56

most husbands have a name !!!

Love it!!

Blinko Tue 04-Feb-20 11:15:43

I would say 'My OH and I...' no problem. Probably not 'Me and my OH' though.

Chestnut Tue 04-Feb-20 12:10:09

The Queen is definitely responsible for everyone's reluctance to use 'My husband and I' ? but I can't see any reason for not getting it right otherwise, i.e. John and I, Mary and I etc. as that doesn't sound queenly.

carolmary Tue 04-Feb-20 12:28:36

When my daughters used to say "me and X are going to ... ."
I used automatically to correct them saying, " X and I etc", they would reply "No Mum, you aren't going, I am!" I soon got the point and stopped being so pernickety!
They had no problems at school,they knew very well that what you say at home is different from what you write in an English essay!