Re: usage question re: "to obsess"

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 19:42:16 -0000, msb@xxxxxxx (Mark Brader) wrote:

... when I read this article (link below) I was struck by how
our leaders, on both sides, who are purported to be better educated by
most, couldn't speak as well as might be expected. Another gaffe was:

"...Rove is quoted as saying: 'Anybody who thinks that she's not going
to be the candidate is kidding themselves.'"

This would have gotten me slapped in school.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get a better education. Please read:

http://www.alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxgender.html

After reading this I Googled on 'chaucer "singular they"' and got 505
hits.

The vast majority were typical Internet quotes of quotes of quotes,
propagating through hyperspace.

There were a few actual examples of early usage of "they" and "them"
as singular.

However, it think it far more likely that Chaucer made a slip in
relation than number, rather than an early attempt at political
correctness.

Perhaps if one listens to enough bad English one becomes inured to it.

I hope so, because such usage of "they" and "their" jars my nerves.
--
Shalom & Salam

Izzy

"Those who can, do; those who can't, teach; those who can't teach tell teachers how to teach."

- P S Kelly
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: phone number or phone numbers
    ... someone with a particular education or background. ... anything that is concrete and can be described and is singular. ... not be in common usage, but I selected it specifically for this ... machine or the like /was/ correct, as International Business ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Chanakya quotes
    ... About the quote on books, what books were available for people to ... Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 ... "There is some self-interest behind every friendship. ... "Education is the best friend. ...
    (soc.culture.indian)
  • Re: ch4 and python lampoon Christianity
    ... eg look at various quotes from him here ... stalin was part 'educated' in a seminary...ie orthodox catholic ... Atheism is a word coined by the deluded to describe those who do not ... energy, education, politics, etc 1,552,396 document calls in year past ...
    (uk.politics.misc)
  • Re: Flying first time since new carry on restrictions
    ... "...the media in the better educated places *are* going to be ... (Speaking of education.) ... a singular or plural verb. ... more toward the singular and Brits toward the plural. ...
    (rec.travel.air)
  • Re: Hillary will win by default---trial lawyer and a black man is lower than a woman.
    ... So someone who does not have a grasp on basic English grammar would be ... plural, not singular. ... education, would you? ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.ny-yankees)