Yep, I have a couple of the same root words that people in Russia, I think, misuse.
And that really pisses me off!
These words are “patriot” and “patriotism.”
As we know, they derive from the Latin word patria, which means fatherland.
So a patriot is someone who loves their country. In my case, Russia. And patriotism is the same; love for your country.
But not in modern Russia. In our case, “patriots”, who they have chosen to call themselves, are people who support the current regime and Vladimir Putin as its head. As you see, it is about loving the political regime, not the country. If you don’t like Putin, like me, you are not a patriot!
Again, this really pisses me off!
These people put things upside down. Normally, you may not like the authorities and still be a patriot. I am one of these millions of people in Russia.
But in Putin-supporters’ perverted state of mind, we are not patriots! A typical totalitarian catch.
Amen.
Words misused that piss me off…
In true sporting parlance, the words “postponed” and “cancelled” have two entirely different meanings. If a match is called off, for whatever reason, but it will be re-played at a future date, it is postponed. If a game is called off, for whatever reason, and it will not be rescheduled, it is cancelled. What could be simpler?
But so many people, even some media organisations, regularly get it wrong. Those familiar with the BBC sports results service will have heard, particularly in winter, a phrase like: “Bradford City against AFC Wimbledon – match postponed.” You will never hear: “Bradford City against AFC Wimbledon – match cancelled.” Each team has to play each other team twice in a season, and every team has to play the same amount of games, so every game will be played, eventually.
The misuse of these two terms has got me bugged for as long as I remember. Correct usage includes: “I have today cancelled my subscription.” I will never subscribe again . However, if I intend to one day re-apply for that subscription, I am entitled to say: “I have today postponed my subscription.” Rocket science it is not. Here’s one for you to discuss. Is your flight really “cancelled” if it takes place tomorrow instead? Or is just merely postponed?
While I’m at it, I hate words in the wrong place. I absolutely hate sentences which end with a preposition: “..a fact I am certain of.” Arghhh!! It should be: “..a fact of which I’m certain.” Another words, English grammar isn’t something to mess with……or should I say, English grammar isn’t something with which to mess. I feel better now.
Words misused that piss me off
This week my esteemed co-writers are at a bigly disadvantage. Words ain’t my thing. It’s all good, I come from a long line of wordsmiths who are virtuoso bugger-uppers with the best literature and dance. Yes, I’m white.
My father, for example, had spent several years in various locations around the Spacific Ocean. The romance of the South Spacific, palm trees sway above sandy beaches in the setting sun. Angry islanders chasing you because you have disrespected their land one time too many.
However, if you are no longer welcomed there, you can still go to Disme World. When I was a young’un, we lived close to Orlando and I got to go to Disme several times every Summer. Truly the happiest place on Earth. OK, I may be wrong, Walmart may hold that title.
I suppose I shouldn’t complain, I mess-up too. Mmm, I mess up also?