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Pedants' corner

Uninterested/disinte rested

(63 Posts)
Blue45Sapphire Sat 11-Aug-18 14:19:12

I am seeing this more and more these days, people saying or writing disinterested when they mean uninterested, and it really annoys me. I was brought up and taught that disinterested means impartial or unbiased, and uninterested means that you're just not interested in something. The other one is the 'font' of all knowledge instead of the 'fount' (unless, of course, I've been saying it wrong all my life!

pollyperkins Tue 14-Aug-18 20:42:44

That s a spelling mistake B9. When there are two words with similar spelling but different pronunciation and meaning a lot of people find it confusing. Other examples are read and red (I red a book!), lead and led (he lead the expedition!). Spell check does not pick these words up as they are legitimate spellings.
A recent example I saw referred to the Straights of Dover. (Should be Straits.) These all sound the same when spoken.

Blue45Sapphire Tue 14-Aug-18 23:24:18

Can I just say again, on my laptop, phone and tablet there are absolutely NO spelling mistakes or spaces in the title to this thread, and no, it is not a typing error either. I am beginning to wish I had not bothered....

MawBroon Tue 14-Aug-18 23:40:24

Pollyperkins, “he led the expedition” surely?

MawBroon Tue 14-Aug-18 23:41:16

Sorry I realise that was a deliberate misspelling blush

MawBroon Tue 14-Aug-18 23:42:38

Likewise “straight jacket” and “dire straights” !

pollyperkins Wed 15-Aug-18 07:04:45

Yes Maw it was deliberate. I should have made that clear!

sodapop Wed 15-Aug-18 08:55:05

Several times lately I have seen 'rein of terror' and 'reign it in' even on TV subtitles.

MawBroon Wed 15-Aug-18 09:51:38

Just this morning I have already clocked “ nerve wracking”and “loose” ( meaning lose) but I couldn’t possibly comment. [ wink]

MawBroon Wed 15-Aug-18 09:52:06

wink

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 10:18:22

Discreet and discrete - I see it misused frequently on the threads!

There is a space in the heading on my pc Blue45Sapphire - but that is probably the fault of my pc.
I rested my case.

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 10:19:11

ps smile

I'm glad you bothered

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 10:20:20

Maw grin