Common sayings that are wrong or butchered

[lman]

One that I heard that struck me as ironic; saying 'versa visa' instead of 'visa versa'

An A for effort. How about vice versa. You were close.

Definition of VICE VERSA

with the order changed : with the relations reversed : conversely… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[jjeff]

Do you loan or barrow things out? As in I'll barrow you my drill, Vs I'll loan you my drill. I believe both can be made grammatically correct however I can't count how many times I "borrowed" stuff to friends.

 

[dodge man]

How about cement and concrete. Cement is an ingredient in concrete.

 

[Jstpssng]

How about cement and concrete. Cement is an ingredient in concrete.

I agree and have changed my vocabulary accordingly. Yet you have to admit that “Concrete mixer” doesn’t roll off your tongue the same.

Same thing with engine vs motor. In theory they are different, but try to find an outboard engine for your jon boat.

 

[Torvy]

Do you loan or barrow things out? As in I'll barrow you my drill, Vs I'll loan you my drill. I believe both can be made grammatically correct however I can't count how many times I "borrowed" stuff to friends.

It is hard to tell what is grammatically correct anymore. Dictionaries used to hold the language accountable. Now they seem to be in a rush to add words and revamp meanings to adjust the lowest common denominator.

You can lend someone a tool, and you can borrow a tool, but you cannot borrow your friend a tool.

One in seem to be hearing lately is Verse as opposed to Versus. It seems to be people mistakenly thinking that singular and plural apply somehow. Example, the choice between a hoe verse a rake. The same person would say hoes versus rakes.

 

[Jstpssng]

Saying hot water heater vs water heater, ask yourself why you need to heat hot water? Pet peeve of a few I used to work with.

PIN Number
VIN Number
TIN Number. Etc.
Personal identification number number
Vehicle identification number number
Tax identification number number

That'd be me... and I don't expect to change soon.

Yet now that you each have brought these up, I will be thinking of them just after I say them.

 

[Botaskinner]

I started hearing Millenials use the "bored of it" instead of "bored with it".
Now it seems to be catching on, sorry to say.

 

[bcp]

Dictionaries can be descriptive or prescriptive.

A Word on 'Descriptive' and 'Prescriptive' Defining

When it comes to words, we're the descriptive sort.

www.merriam-webster.com

Bruce

 

[/pine]

Sort of O/T but this reminds me of one of the first things a young field engineer learns is the difference between precision and accuracy...!

 

[npalen]

The large, land bovines that lived across the central plains of North America are Bisons. They are not Buffaloes. Even the Natural Parks people have tried to set this straight, with little effect.

What is the plural of bison and buffalo?

Edit: Had to look it up. Buffalo can be the singular or plural form and buffaloes is also correct and bisons is the plural of bison. JasperFrank has it right.