Our Dumb Blog

Textual Shortcomings

by

Berck

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Words I Still Can’t Spell:
Guarantee
Independent
Separate
Warranty
Gauge

Words I can spell, but have to think about:
Disappear
Maintenance

I also have a small issue where I’m apt to type the wrong word for “then/than,” but I really do know the difference. And I intentionally use the more obscure meanings of affect/effect in order to effect consternation whenever possible. Like, I could vote for Obama in order to effect a result that will allow him to affect our country’s affect. I’m not alone in this hobby, though.

All this because Sydney pointed out that “Judgement” is incorrect in US English. But then she admitted that it’s okay in the Queen’s English, so I think I’ll stand by it. I realise this is a dubious defence.

4 responses to “Textual Shortcomings”

  1. nana Avatar
    nana

    I have a hard time with all that you mentioned and:
    exercise
    resurrection
    occasion
    brocolli (or is it “broccoli”?)
    I generally have to resort to the Romalda Spalding way of
    exaggerating each syllable as written to hear myself say it the way it’s spelled
    and then remember what I hear! Of course, that’s the point of that particular phonics
    method… repetititon using several senses… trace the letter or phonogram, say it’s sound out loud,
    write it, etc.

  2. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    As you may (or may not) know, I’ve spent many years working in veterinary medicine. The hardest word for me FOR YEARS has been

    diarrhea

    I had to write it on a sticky note at the clinic and post it on our “drug fridge”. I’ve been gone for over a year from that clinic and I bet that sticky note is still there. I need to put one on my lap top. (Yes, I guess I DO use the word “diarrhea” that much.)

  3. Berck Avatar
    Berck

    Oh, I can’t spell that either. But I don’t generally need to:)

  4. Syd Avatar
    Syd

    I have trouble with all the ones Berck said but warranty and independent.

    I also have trouble with then/than. I.e., typing the wrong one, even though I know what’s correct. I did this to a friend recently, and he cracked up that I could even get them confused. Apparently this is another Southern pronunciation thing.

    Also, Berck likes about the obscure use of ‘effect.’ He never knew about that meaning until he read the xkcd comic. I, on the other hand, know it very well because it’s a lawyer favorite.

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