Butchered expressions. Do you correct the person?

just me wrote:

I usually don't correct them because it's a mute point. Usually I could care less.

Well played.

not sure wrote:

hrey wrote:

How about "the proof is in the pudding"?

Why this is wrong? It simply means the proof that the method works is that the pudding tastes good at the end.

Let me try!

It's annoying because the actual saying is this: "The proof [that is, the test] of the pudding is in the eating." So it's not how the pudding looks, or how it smells, or how meticulous the preparation was, or how touted the recipe might be--it's how the pudding tastes, and whether you digest it comfortably. It's the actual eating of the pudding that's the real test.

I agree: if you think about it, "the proof is in the pudding" actually makes no sense. I've corrected people on this a couple of times, but a) that's usually a dick move, and b) I think this one is a lost cause.

Similarly, I've decided not to correct people when they use "out of pocket" to mean "unavailable." That battle was lost a while ago.

yes, it is a lost cause, because both phrase are common and mean slightly different things. I grew up saying "The proof is in the pudding" [I'm 43], and also use the other version when that is what I mean.As a side note, here is a great comic strip on the topic (peruse the archive, it's great and includes a doosey(sp?)on the topic of running): http://tinyurl.com/y42zurt

not exactly same but wrote:

Hearing someone say 'prostrate cancer' is like hearing nails on a chalkboard.

LOL.

My father in law had it, and he always called it "prostrate cancer". He also like to throw a random "r" in words like "wash" (warsh), etc.

When he was deemed cancer-free, we all celebrated that he finally got the "r" out of his prostrate.

A colleague at work said that it was hotter than Haiti outside.

Some people intentionally change "standard expressions". Yes, I am annoyed when people try and correct my "standard expressions".

What annoys me is when people use words incorrectly. In my world, you are allowed to create your own "standard expression", but you are not allowed to create new word meanings.

Blah Blah. wrote:

but you are not allowed to create new word meanings.

posatootly exactamundo mofrare

I could care less

Say la V.

Say la V.

Say la V.

I thought you meant big natural.

I had a colleague once who insisted she was being made an 'escape goat' when things went wrong.

I knew a guy who used to refer to a malapropism as a "butchered expression."

Best to Let Sleeping Horses Lie then

count to 10 first wrote:

My girlfriend has a knack for creative phrases. Today's gem was "he's a hard egg to crack".

Another recurring utterance is "pigeon toed" instead of "pigeonholed"

Every conversation is an adventure. I just enjoy them now.

Heard any good ones?

I've heard a lot of good ones but you just gotta keep learning through denial and error. Worst case Ontario, you sound like your brain is short circulating for a bit. But after a while, you self learn yourself and you realize it doesn't take rocket appliances to figure it out. A positive attitude helps too, I'm not a pessimist, I'm an optometrist. In the end, it's all water under the fridge.

And since she's your girlfriend, you should know that beauty is in the eye when you hold her. But if the relationship doesn't work out, you could still be friends with the Benedicts.

SUPPOSABLY

My buddy said his wife goes for a Pedigree when mine goes for a pedicure

"Valentimes" Day!