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Grunger

I've realised that I might be coming over as someone who is subjecting your posts to intense scrutiny! I'm not, I just see things (posts) , think things and then … write/type responses. I think I'll let some Forum postings wash over me, let my curiosity go unsated.


PS I certainly don't want joineresses and carpenteresses, what cumbersome words those are.

Malone

I am actually rather pleased that you are subjecting my posts to intense scrutiny! Firstly, it will improve my careless written English, and secondly, I would not want the world to think I mean something, when it is actually the opposite.

I must admit my English is very sloppy when I post. The words just enter my head and I don't really check if I have said what I meant to. The sentence you quote is a good example. I meant to say "I have had very few McD meals, nearly all of which I thought were poor", whereas I have said the opposite.

So please don't hesitate to question me.

Thanks
G

grunger

Like Malone, I read it to mean that you generally enjoy McD..... meals, but have had a few poor ones. This seemed to make sense as I know you enjoyed the one in Florida. Glad to hear the correct version!

I would say that I am not sure about joineress or joineresses, which seem wrong. But I think carpentress and carpentresses must be right, like actress and actresses. If I remember correctly, there was a singing act called "Carpenter and Carpentress". They were unknown until they changed their name.

Malone
I should be grateful if you would question any of my dubious English, or anything else I write!

stevea6000

I really like your Brando clue for Random on Clueless. It is very neat and reads well. I dont know the rules but I dont think it is too similar to the other one.

I don’t like carpenteress or joineress.
I really can’t stand the 70s sounding ‘comedienne’. Thankfully, that seems to have died out.

What about waiters and waitresses? Do female waiting staff want to be called waiters?

In S Africa they’re all called ‘waitrons’ which makes me think of some kind of robot.

grunger - thanks for your kind words. It's not a rule, but politeness, that causes someone, when using a term already used by another during the competion, to withdraw that entry ... or, at least, offer to do so. Sometimes the first user says leave it in and let those judging decide. Thanks again.

cleverjo - your mention of S Africa and robots reminded me that that country seems to be the only country whose English speakers call traffic lights 'robots'. I discovered that particular meaning when someone, while giving me directions, told me to turn right at the robot. I asked what colour it is, expecting to be told it was silver (you'll appreciate I was mentally picturing a metallic robot shop sign). So when they said it was red, amber and green ...

Cloverjo


Like you, I dislike 'comedienne' - it's just awful. I don't know what female waiting staff feel about being called 'waiters', but I've never felt 'waitress' was as dire as, say, 'authoress'. In American restaurants, we were often greeted with ' Hello, I'm Mindy, I'll be your server tonight'. I think I prefer that … slightly.


Steve, the 'robots' for traffic lights was interesting and quite amusing.

Grunger
I'm glad you didn't mind my curiosity/pickiness about what you wrote. I think I knew what you meant - about the junk meals - but then re-read your comment.

Jigjag, I can't remember what I was going to say to you! I'll need to return to your post...

Jigjag

I loved the 'Carpenter/Caprentress' stuff!

Thank you very much for allowing me to question dubious English - or indeed anything else - in your posts. This is, of course, a two-way street - I don't mind any errors or omissions of mine being brought to my notice.

Cleverjo

Thanks. I like actresses and waitresses. It seems wrong when an actress refers to herself as an actor. I cant imagine any waitress would want to be called a waiter, or even a waitron which I agree sounds awful.

malone

Yes I heard a lot of "servers" recently which I think should only apply to tennis, or the computer thing, whatever it is. I had one "server" who said something like, "I am your server Sharon and I am going to wait on you tonight". I should have said, "so you are the waitress" but politeness prevented me. If I go again, I will refer to the female servers as servresses, which seems logical.

Steve
Thanks, I love the traffic light story.