A Mormon bishop in Colorado has been running a Ponzi scheme

[_asbestosman]

Most of the words you use are bastardized versions of words from 500 years ago. There's no point in getting all high and mighty when the change happens in your lifetime.

for what it's worth, I've often wondered who gets to decide what proper grammar is. I know various dictionaries are often referenced, but why should I give them control? I don't recall having an election to vote for them. I do like standards. The standards should exist to facilitate effective communication (proper spelling of homophones is one I like), not to mock those who don't follow the rules (although it's fun sometimes for me too).

Would you really prefer to go back to the awkward "his or her"?

No. I use their myself and misuse English all the time, but I try to do so in a manner to effectively communicate tone, etc. Misuse makes some people more comfortable because it doesn't sound as snotty. Others find that misuse means I'm careless or uneducated. I can't win.

I think it might be fun to invent a new word in place of "his or her". Maybe "hir" or "hes" or possibly, "herhis", "heris", "hiser", or the like.

[_Calculus Crusader]

Ever notice how people who don't have any sensible way to respond to a comment will often try to point out grammar flaws (although it always is more effective if they actually know what they're talking about)? It's really pretty sad and pathetic.

Children these days...

Have you ever noticed that people who are lacking in native intelligence will often respond to a comment with a horse laugh?

Morons these days...

[_JohnStuartMill]

I realize you think that diversity in human languages comes from the Tower of Babel story...

No, I do not, hayseed.

Why not? It's in that special book of yours, after all. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

Would you really prefer to go back to the awkward "his or her"?

I typically use his. In any event, I would rather use his or her than write like a hayseed. (Although, I can see why you would not care, as your degree is not worth the paper on which it is printed.)

People are hayseeds if they use the word "their" in perfect accordance with modern dictionaries?

You've always been pretty dumb, CC, but you're veering off into drooling apologist no man's land.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Most of the words you use are bastardized versions of words from 500 years ago. There's no point in getting all high and mighty when the change happens in your lifetime.

for what it's worth, I've often wondered who gets to decide what proper grammar is. I know various dictionaries are often referenced, but why should I give them control? I don't recall having an election to vote for them. I do like standards. The standards should exist to facilitate effective communication (proper spelling of homophones is one I like), not to mock those who don't follow the rules (although it's fun sometimes for me too).

I'm in perfect agreement with you. Language exists to communicate ideas; proper usage should be a function of clarity more than anything else. I'm just trying to tamp down Calculus Crusader's ego here, by showing him that his "correction" of Schmo's grammar is actually technically improper.

Would you really prefer to go back to the awkward "his or her"?

No. I use their myself and misuse English all the time, but I try to do so in a manner to effectively communicate tone, etc. Misuse makes some people more comfortable because it doesn't sound as snotty. Others find that misuse means I'm careless or uneducated. I can't win.

I think it might be fun to invent a new word in place of "his or her". Maybe "hir" or "hes" or possibly, "herhis", "heris", "hiser", or the like.

As shown by my above citation, "their" has already been adopted to this purpose, so use it with abandon!

[_Calculus Crusader]

Why not? It's in that special book of yours, after all. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

I have already covered this ground.

People are hayseeds if they use the word "their" in perfect accordance with modern dictionaries?

Yes.

You've always been pretty dumb, CC, but you're veering off into drooling apologist no man's land.

I am not the one with the worthless degree who has to go back to the SAT in an attempt to establish intellectual credibility. Incidentally, did they teach you how to properly flip burgers or say "Do you want fries with that?" I imagine those would be important given the career trajectories of polisci majors.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Why not? It's in that special book of yours, after all. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

I have already covered this ground.

Then you don't have to come up with anything new to answer my question. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

People are hayseeds if they use the word "their" in perfect accordance with modern dictionaries?

Yes.

Then you, my friend, are a hayseed as well.

You've always been pretty dumb, CC, but you're veering off into drooling apologist no man's land.

I am not the one with the worthless degree who has to go back to the SAT in an attempt to establish intellectual credibility. Incidentally, did they teach you how to properly flip burgers or say "Do you want fries with that?" I imagine those would be important given the career trajectories of polisci majors.

Ever heard of a little thing called "law school"?

[Guest]

Then you don't have to come up with anything new to answer my question. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

The Tower of Babel is ahistorical, as are all of the primeval narratives.

Ever heard of a little thing called "law school"?

Yes. I am sure you will make a fine pettifogger, if you stop talking about it and actually start law school.

[_Dr. Shades]

Would you really prefer to go back to the awkward "his or her"?

Actually, yes.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Then you don't have to come up with anything new to answer my question. Is the Bible a reliable source of information, or is it not?

The Tower of Babel is ahistorical, as are all of the primeval narratives.

What indication is given in the text that the Tower of Babel story is ahistorical, and that the sparkle Jesus magic you believe in actually happened? The Bible is as matter-of-fact about the former as it is about the latter. You're engaging in special pleading.

Ever heard of a little thing called "law school"?

Yes. I am sure you will make a fine pettifogger, if you stop talking about it and actually start law school.

I apologize that I can't pray to my sky-daddy to start the 2009-10 academic year any sooner.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Would you really prefer to go back to the awkward "his or her"?

Actually, yes.

I haven't seen you going around "correcting" anyone's acceptable grammar, so you're fine.