As I was sitting in my Causes of War seminar this afternoon, half-way paying attention to a discussion about prospect theory, I heard someone say the not-word “irregardless.” To my thinking, that falls in the same category of cutesy but idiotic mispronunciations as “libary,” words whose usage is the sole instance where I believe capital punishment is acceptable. Seriously, people: that shit isn’t going to fly. Articulate speech is and always has been for the win.
Here’s what Webster had to say:
“…originated in dialectical American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequenctly repeated remark about it is that ‘there is no such word’. There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.”
No entry on “libary”, though. So your analogy doesn’t quite fly… again. ;P
/ducks for cover
Okay, first: let’s define the word “analogy,” because you appear to have it all wrong. An analogy, in fact, is “drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect.” Thus, drawing a comparison between “irregardless” and “libary” is totally legitimate, because they’re both similar in the respect that they annoy the hell out of me.
Second, given Webster has the glowing praise for “irregardless” as to comment “it’s reputation has not risen over the years” and “use regardless instead,” I think we can agree that people who use it aren’t exactly erudite.
you incorrectly accused me of mispronouncing amalgam the other day, mister. then again, I believed you. hypocrites for the win!
There’s only one instance where “irregardless” is acceptable, and that’s if you’re a Masshole and you pronounce it “irregaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhdless.”
As for amalgam, isn’t it pronounced uh-mal-gum as in “amalgamation” or “amalgamated” with the emphasis on the second syllable?
“It’s reputation”?! Hehehe… Might want to remove that apostrophe.
I really shouldn’t argue with you (or our sister) on writing/speech, but I find I can’t help myself sometimes.
I’m with you on this one. “Irregardless” may not be the best choice, but it ain’t near as bad as “libary”. To summarize, I could care less.
yup
So…what alternative pronunciation was suggested?